BACOLOD City – Negrense boxer Joepher Montano needed just a round to dispose Benjie Suganob and capture the Asean Boxing Federation super lightweight title at the Gaisano Grand here.
This was the first successful title defense of the Bago City, Negros Occidental native to the ABF championship he won at the expense of Rodel Wenceslao last March.
The first round disposal of Montano on Suganob was also a fitting bounce back for the Negrense fighter after losing to Indonesian John Ruba for the WBC Asia and IBO Oceania welterweight belt last July.
On Saturday night, the 23-year-old Montano immediately imposed his presence on Suganob with his powerful left and right combinations en route to forcing the referee to quickly end the match.
With the victory, Montano improved his boxing record to 11-5-2 win-loss-draw, including 10 stoppage wins, while Suganob dropped his slate to 10-8-1, with five knockout wins.
The Montano-Suganob bout was the main event of the boxing card promoted by Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Team and Juan Ramon Guanzon as part of Bacolod City’s Masskara Festival./PN
