By Rey Danseco
Two unknown Filipino boxers from northern and southern parts of the Philippines, came home as losers from Thailand where they recently fought much better and world rated foes.
Baguio City-based Edgardo Gabejan and Misamis Oriental-native Sherwin Manatad both faltered with unanimous decision losses on Friday in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Gabejan, reigning Philippine Boxing Federation super flyweight champ, did his best, but it wasn’t good enough when Fahsan 3K Battery controlled most of the 12-round contest with head and body shots en route to gain a unanimous decision win and retained his IBF Pan Pacific Junior featherweight title.
The judges at ringside saw the bout 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113 all in favor of Fahsan, who now won six fights in a row, four of which were against Filipinos, since taking the shameful four knockdown loss from Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao finished Fahsan with an uppercut in the fourth round knockout of their IBF featherweight elimination bout in Taguig.
Fahsan, rated No. 11 in the world by IBF, improved to 50-8-1, 27 knockouts. Gabejon’s record, dropped to 11-8.
On the same card, the super flyweight campaigner Manatad was no match for unbeaten IBF No. 13 bantamweight contender Terapong Kaewnongsamed (24-0), in their scheduled eight round contest.
A former IBF pan pacific bantamweight title contestant, Manatad’s unconfirmed record has dropped to 10-13-4.
