by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Mike “Tyson” Tumbaga whose record of 12-19-2 with zero knockouts doesn’t at all justify his nickname, was knocked out in the 2nd round of a clash for the vacant WBC Asia Boxing Council light welterweight title at the Convention Towers and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
The overmatched Tumabaga was counted out at 1:46 seconds of the second round by Filipino referee Ferdinand Estrella after he was overwhelmed by Thailand’s Ekapol Yothinpanawet, a 34 year old southpaw who improved his record to 14-1 with 10 knockouts.
Questions were raised as to how Tumbaga who lost his last three fights could earn a title shot and how the Philippines Games and Amusements Board could approve such a mismatch.
Featherweight Edgar “Hard Rock” Gabejan somehow saved the day for the Philippines with a sixth round split decision win over Ugandan southpaw Festus Omondi who dropped to 8-5 with 6 knockouts.
The 31 year old Gabejan improved to 24-29-6 with 7 knockouts.
