By Rey Danseco
World rated Filipino southpaw, Dennis Laurente, scored his first win in his last three fights by knocking out little-known Indon fighter Stack Poncogati, in a televised bout at the RCTI Studio in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Laurente, handled by Johnny Elorde, improved his record to 22-3-5, 12 knockouts and he’s looking to inch closer to the top 10 of the World Boxing Council (WBC) rankings.
“With that impressive win, I am hoping to get closer if not possible to make it within the top 10 (of WBC ranking),” said Laurente.
The WBC ranks Laurente 17th lightweight contender in the world. His position was 10 notches down after his nearly 4-year reign as Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight champion ended last March 5 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
He lost the title via a close split decision over 10 rounds in a rematch against Japanese Chikashi Inada.
“I almost reach the top as well as get the WBC title shot if Inada failed to score an upset,” said Laurente, 27. “But one or two more wins, I think it will become a huge statement for (WBC lightweight king) Diego Corrales to give me a chance.”
Over the weekend in Bangkok, Thailand, little known but veteran Filipino boxer Jun Eraham came back home a loser in a championship fight.
Eraham suffered a technical decision loss in round five to reigning Asian Boxing Council (ABCO) light flyweight champion Petchtapee Pinsinchai Friday at the Imperial Department Store in Ladprao, Bangkok, Thailand.
A cut on Eraham’s eyebrow from an accidental head butt forced the referee Radom Na Bangchang to stop the fight and let the scorecards decide the winner.
The judges favored Pinsinchai, who ranked No. 29 by the WBC, 49-46, 49-46, 48-46.
On the undercard, Jack Maldecir vowed to unbeaten Maxsaisai Pinsinchai over 10 rounds with all the judges had it 99-92 all in favor of the Thai.
