By Carlos Costa
MANILA, Philippines -- Japanese 118-pounder Mugicha Nakagawa of Tokyo scored an 8th round TKO win over Indonesian journeyman Ricky Manufoe, 31, to claim the vacant WBA Asia East Super Bantamweight Title on Saturday (May 19) at the Elorde Sports Complex here in Metro Manila, Philippines.
The taller, more skilled Nakagawa (23-5-1, 14 KO's) took the lead from the get-go landing long-range combinations over the limited Manufoe in the receiving end.
The clash reached its climax when Manufoe (27-33-3, 10 KO's) abandoned the combat, citing a blow to the kidneys.
Once he went down, he squatted with his right glove holding the second rope and his left glove rubbing his kidney area, the Indonesian stayed like that untll experienced Filipino WBA referee Mr. Silvestre Abainza waived the fight off.
Official Time of the stoppage was 1:47 in round 8.
As a result, the 29 year-old Mugicha Nakagawa (????) gets the nod as well as the WBA Asia East Supe Bantamweight champion belt on his waist.
MORE RESULTS FROM MANILA, PHILIPPINES
In the co-feature, 130-pounder Alan Vallespin ravaged the mid-section of Warren Mansubuang, rocking him down to the canvas in round one and then badly in round five to claim a devastating knockout victory.
It was in round five that ref Jerrold Tomeldan administered the 10-second count to Mansubuang who was on the floor and unable to get up. The oOfficial time of the effective KO was 1:51 in round five.
Also, the more talented Eranio Semillano outclassed Wilbert Berondo of the Johnny Elorde Boxing Stable to score a 12-round unanimous decision win, giving Berondo a boxing lesson in counter-punching. With the win, Semillano retains his Filipino GAB Super Flyweight Belt.
Super flyweight Powell Balaba of the paradise Island of Bohol won a close split-decision over Romshane Sarguilla, a fighter of the Lady C. Elorde Boxing Stable. Balaba was deducted a point in round three for an apparent intentional low-blow, nevertheless, he managed to narrowly win the 6-rounder.
In the fastest rumble of the exciting evening, the taller Aljun Pelisio brutalized Rico Yagno of Batangas with a fast, destructive attack to the body that gassed out the much shorter Yagno, leaving him helpless and hanging on the ropes in obvious pain. The Official Time was 56 seconds in round 1.
The opening bout featured the second round TKO win of Jr. Flyweight Gringo Navarro of the Sparta Gym over John Mark Vecino of the Gono Boxing Stable in the port city of Batangas.
The boxing event on Saturday night in Manila was a production of Elorde International Promotions' Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr., winner of this year's WBC Honorary Asian Promoter of the Year Award.
The author Carlos Costa of Panama is a boxing judge and fight reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. He attended this WBA Asia East title fight Saturday night in Manila, Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp: +639184538152
