MANILA – Filipino boxer Arnel Baconaje captured the vacant WBC Asia Boxing Council silver featherweight belt with an eighth round stoppage win over Tomjune Mangubat at the Parkmall Mandaue in Cebu.
It was the second professional boxing title of the San Rafael, Iloilo native Baconaje, who previously handled the Philippine Boxing Federation super bantamweight championship.
“Masaya ako at nakapag-uwi uli ako ng title belt. Matagal ko ring pinangarap ito. Nabigo man ako sa mga nauna kong title fights, at least nakuha ko na rin sa pang pitong try,” said Baconaje after winning on Friday night.
Baconaje imposed his presence early on by throwing numerous combinations, including a stinging right straight that wobbled the erstwhile undefeated Mangubat in the middle of the match.
Baconaje continued to punish Mangubat with his quick attacks in the following rounds until the match scheduled for 10 rounds was halted midway in the eighth with the latter heavily hurt.
With the win, Baconaje increased his boxing slate of 11-3-0, with nine wins coming by way of knockouts, while the 21-year-old Mangubat saw his record dropped to 10-1-1 with nine knockout wins.
In the co-main event, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental native Renz Rosia failed to clinch the Philippine Visayas Professional Boxing Association super flyweight belt with a unanimous decision loss to Ponciano Remandiman./PN
