April 27, 2005
CEBU, PHILIPPINES: WBC #3 ranked Filipino Randy Suico (23-1, 20 KOs), 130, kept his OPBF 130-pound belt for the fourth time, all by KO, as he caught Thai national champ Muangfahlek Kiatwichien (10-5, 7 KOs), 130, with vicious combinations, dropped him near the ropes and halt him at 1:53 of the fourth round on Wednesday in Cebu, Philippines. Filipino national hero Manny Pacquiao’s sensational attendance and brightest Cebuano prospect Suico’s performance gathered so tremendously jam-packed customers at the Lapu-Lapu City Complex that Suico was drawn into the throng of people, and couldn’t temporarily enter the arena from a dressing room outside. Suico, a 25-year-old potential Filipino sensation following Pacquiao’s footstep, proudly said to the local press after his fine victory. “I want Barrera next with his WBC title at stake. I’ve shown I am ready to face the Mexican legend. I hear that ex-champs Jesus Chavez and Carlos Hernandez will square off in a ballyhooed eliminator this coming May. But the winner should never come over me as the official challenger, as I have regularly defended my belt of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, which is under the WBC, and have a better record than Chavez and Hernandez. I want to fight Barrera next, but if necessary, I wish to fight the Chavez-Hernandez winner anywhere to decide the challenger against Barrera. I have been loyal to the WBC, which will not ignore me by giving a higher rank to the winner of the self-proclaimed eliminator, hopefully.” Suico, under the promotional agreement with Teiken Promotions, is a hard-hitting boxer-puncher who has the same height and reach of Erik “El Terrible” Morales. He also boasts of his iron chin. Suico, nicknamed “Komong Bato (stone hands)” in Cebu, hopes to be a second Pacquiao by beating Barrera.
WBA #1 105-pounder Eriberto Gejon (21-0-1, 13 KOs), 107, showed why he was the top contender by demolishing ex-Thai champ Namchai Thaksin-Isarn, 107, in the second round of a scheduled ten. Gejon, a lanky stylish boxer, dropped the Thailander three times, once in the first round and twice more in the fatal session, by effective overhand rights. He is gunning for a crack at the WBA belt against Japan’s Yutaka Niida as the mandatory challenger.
“Pacman” Manny was questioned about his lawsuit with his promoter Murad Muhammad by local press people, but he was reluctant to comment by himself, only saying, “My lawyer told me not to comment on that issue.” He was surrounded by great many aficionados after Suico’s successful defense.
Promoter: Rex Wakee Salud.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Suico vs. Muangfahlek title go).
(4-27-05)