Glenn Porras Wins Twelve Round Decision Over Pumicpic
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Glenn "The Rock" Porras of North Cotabato, the Philippines No.1 ranked bantamweight bucked a knockdown in the third round, two cuts in his left and right eyebrows and a sprained left wrist to score a unanimous twelve round decision over No. 4 contender Richard Pumicpic of Laguna to win the vacant Philippine 118 pound title in the ALA Boxing Promotion and Cobra Energy drink open air boxing at the Magsaysay Park in Davao City, Sunday.
It was a tough fight made more difficult by the rain that drenched the canvas causing the two fighters to fall and roll. It also sapped the energy of the two fighters who often pushed and grappled with each other.
The 25 year old Porras took control in the first two rounds but ran smack into a thunderous right by Pumicpic prompting referee Ramuel Ovalo to give the Braveheart North Cotabato fighter a mandatory eight count. But that was the only round clearly won by Pumicpic who was outpointed by Porras throughout the fight.
The judges scorecards were almost identiical with Mario de Ramos scoring it 116-111. Alberto Dulalas 117-111 and Romy Fortaliza 116-111, all for Porras.
Mayor Joselito Pinol of the town of Mlang, North Cotabato where Porras comes from awarded the championship belt to the newly crowned champion.
Two other fighters from the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato owned by the Pinol brothers scored impressive victories.
Junior featherweight Ronnie "Baby Faced Destroyer" Apilado displayed tremendous body punches to score a 4th round knockout with a devastating left to the body of the game Rolando Omila in a scheduled eight round bout.
So impressive was Apilado's body punching that Omila himself said he felt like some of his ribs were broken because of the relentless attack to the midsection.
Another prospect of the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato, 18-year-old Joemer Lumacad, fighting only his 3rd pro fight forced Ruel Cabrejas, who was making his pro debut, to submission after only 1:34 minutes of the first round with a relentless attack to the head and body. It was his second knockout in 3 successful professional fights.
After the bout, Porras complained that he sprained his left wrist and this seriously affected his performance during the Philippine bantamweight championship.
Porras victory capped a successful weekend for the North Cotabato boxers who won 5 of their 6 bouts. Saturday night in General Santos City featherweight Lorenzo Villanueva and miniflyweight Rommel Asenjo won in contrasting fashion. Villanueva shellacked Ruben Sentillanosa in the 2nd round while Asenjo outpointed Jongjong Ponteras.