By Rey Danseco
TEENAGE fighter Gabriel Pumar is now listed as the second Filipino with a World Boxing Council (WBC) international title after he wrested the title in the minimumweight class with a sensational knockout win in South Africa over the weekend.
Pumar followed super featherweight Manny Pacquiao's footsteps as being a holder of the international title under the prestigious boxing body after scoring a knockout win over erstwhile champ Tshepo Lefele, Friday night at Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pacquiao has won his second WBC international title with a 7th round knockout win over Mexican Hector Velazquez in September of last year in Los Angeles, California.
The Ring Magazine ranked No. 3 pound-for-pound icon from General Santos City retained his belt via a knockout in round 10 when he met former three-time champ Erik Morales in a rematch which took place on January 21 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Overall, the 18-year old native of Lapu-Lapu City has became the 7th Filipino holder of that crown, next to: brothers Juanito and Ernesto Rubillar, Manny Melchor, Rocky Palma, Zarlit Rodrigo, and Arman dela Cruz.
Pumar, a fighter under Rex “Wakee” Salud Stable in Cebu City, improved his record to unblemished 9-0 with six knockouts.
Benedict Suico failed to duplicate Pumar’s feat as he lost by unanimous decision to reigning WBC International flyweight champ Mhikiza Myekeni in their 12-round battle in the main event.
The WBC International championship has been designed to help spot new talents like Pumar, who fought for the first time outside of the country, and bring out new fighters who would never have seen the light of the day for several years if not for this great talent-spotting championship.
Pumar fought unranked compared to previously unbeaten Lefele (13-1, 7 KOs), who is rated No. 12 in the world by WBC.
Aside from Juanito Rubillar and Dela Cruz, the other Filipino champions mentioned hanged up their gloves. Melchor became the only world champ among them when he captured the International Boxing Federation minimumweight title from Thai champ Fahlan Sakkreerin in September 1992.
