By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine bantamweight champion Michael Domingo was nowhere near as impressive as his July 2 demolition of veteran Mexican Alejandro Felix Montiel over whom he scored a 7th round TKO but the 26 year old champion did enough to earn a split decision win over challenger Johnny Lear at the Ringside Boxing Club of the Metropolis Mall in Alabang, Saturday.
Judge Salvador Lopez had Domingo the winner by the surprisingly wide margin of 117-111 while Epi Almeda also scored it for Domingo by a much more realistic 115-112. However, the third judge Henry Verniz had Lear the winner 114-113.
Neither fighter was seriously hurt in a technically good fight which the huge crowd enjoyed and although Domingo caught Lear with a couple of solid body shots midway in the twelve round bout he couldnt really hurt the challenger. Lear was deducted one point by referee Virgilio Garcia for an accidental head-butt in round five but the corner of Domingo did an excellent job to patch it up and stop the bleeding from the nasty gash below the left eyebrow.
Noted trainer and former world title challenger Edito Villamor as well as manager Sammy Gello-ani who promoted the fight card admitted that Domingo put on a disappointing performance compared to his spectacular showing against Montiel in a supporting bout on the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios Mano-A-Mano showdown last July 2.The two week break may have been the culprit as Domingo looked lethargic and his
timing was off while Lear fought a smart fight to stay out of trouble, clinching whenever the champion appeared to be getting the upperhand.
The vivacious Viva Hot Babes Rene Summer and Louie Anderson were a big hit as round girls in a fight that was telecast at 1 p.m. yesterday on the top rated weekly boxing show "The Main Event" over RPN 9, sponsored by Tanduay, the No.1 Rhum.
