by Ronnie Nathanielsz
The distressing trend of over-matched Filipino boxers being knocked out continued as two more Pinoys were knocked out in a fight card in Fukuoka, Japan.
29 year old unranked welterweight Dennis Padua was knocked out in the 3rd round by Japan Boxing Commission No.3 ranked Yosuke Kirima who had lost a six round near shutout decision to another Filipino, Arnel Tinampay who dropped Kirima in the first round en route to victory last November 9.
With the win over Padua, the 28 year old Kirima improved his record to 17-3-2 with 12 knockouts while Padua dropped to 9-8-2 with 4 knockouts.
Another Filipino on the same card, featherweight Alvin Tam, suffered a 2nd round knockout at the hands of Fukuoka-based Mexican Cuauhtemo Vargas with the end coming at 2:58 of the round.
Tam, the Philippine Boxing Federation and WBC Asia Boxing Council Continental champion, had no answer to the power of Vargas with the 28 year old Mexican moving to 18-6-1 with 12 knockouts. Tam fell to 13-4 with 3 knockouts.
In Mexico last Sunday in a fight which the Manila Standard branded as a “mismatch in the offing” trash-talking Jaderes Padua was knocked out in the 3rd round by former three-division world champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel while super featherweight Weng Haya was knocked out in the 2nd round by 21 year old Mexican power puncher, undefeated Miguel Berchelt.
