By Rey Danseco
 
WORLD rated champion Malcolm Tunacao and hard-hitting Rey Labao had contrasting luck on Saturday at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Tunacao was impressive in a non-title fight when he thoroughly outclassed Japanese Masahito Igawa over 10 rounds in the main event of Tokashiki Promotions.

This is the first time in three years Tunacao has fought in front of Filipino promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. who gave him a chance to regain his lofty status. Elorde is delighted for Tunacao’s victory.

“He did a great job in giving Igawa a neat boxing lesson,” said Elorde, who promoted Tunacao when no one was giving him a chance for a huge fight in the Philippines after breaking ties with his long-time manager Rex “Wakee” Salud of Cebu City.

Tunacao captured the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International super flyweight title at the expense of Indon fighter Ringgo Jaguar in one of Elorde's double main event card at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on September 26, 2003, about 10 months since he previously fought.

Tunacao dominated every round and finally caught the taller Indon import with a hard left to the jaw just as the fifth round ended.

After getting victories over Korean Sung-Kuk Kim and Nigerian Bright Isaiah Sunday, the Paranaque-based Labao failed to pass his third test of fighting a foreigner when he lost via unanimous decision to unheralded Japanese fighter Hero Bando.

The judges scored the fight 56-59, 56-58, and 57-58 all in favor of Bando (17-8-6, 8 KOs) to hand Labao his first defeat in 13 starts with 8 knockouts.

Labao attributed his poor performance with his weight. He fought in his all-time heaviest 129 ¾ pounds. Bando tipped the scale 129 ½ pounds.

“I lost my power and agility because of my weight. So this is a lesson for me,” said Labao, who is the newest entrant and only Filipino featherweight in the WBC ranking at No. 38.

He is also rated by World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific and Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) No. 3 and No. 5, respectively.

Fighting under new manager, Japanese Yasuo Matsuoka, Tunacao earned a well deserved 100-90, 100-91, and 100-93 decision win over Igawa, who dropped to 8-3-1 win-loss-draw records with two knockouts.

The 27-year old southpaw from Cambaro in Mandaue City has improved to 21-1-3 with 14 knockouts. He also expects to improve his current number four world ranking under WBC bantamweight champ Hozumi Hasegawa of Japan.