MANILA – Genesis Servania boosted his world title hopes after clobbering Indonesian Jason Butar Butar via fifth-round technical knockout at the Skydome in Quezon City.
It was the second consecutive victory for the Bacolod City native, who lost in his WBO world featherweight clash with Oscar Valdez of Mexico last year.
In December Servania scored a first-round stoppage win over Thai Kittiwat Sirichotchayakun in Japan.
“This was a warm-up fight for me,” Servania said of the Sunday night match. “I don’t have an idea when the big (fight) will come.”
Top Rank Promotions recently signed the Bacolodnon to a contract.
Servania had been aggressive since the opening bell, toying with Butar Butar with combination punches. The Indonesian tried to keep in step but failed to hurt the local.
The Filipino went for the kill in the fifth round when he unloaded a crushing left hook to Butar Butar’s body. The referee didn’t bother to count – it was obvious Butar Butar was unable to get up.
The 26-year-old Servania improved his record to 31-1-0 including 14 stoppage victories while the 29-year-old Butar Butar dropped to 27-24-1 with 18 stoppage triumphs.
In the main event, Mark Anthony Barriga earned the right to fight for the IBF minimumweight title after a unanimous-decision win over Colombian Gabriel Mendoza./PN
