Joaquin Henson wrote:
May 15, l998. Binan, Laguna. Promoter: Facunda Jardenil. Unbeaten Vernie Torres, 114 1/2, knocked out highly-regarded Rey Llagas, 114, at 2:40 of the eighth round to wrest the Philippine junior featherweight title. It was a stunning victory for the 24-year-old Manila slugger who raised his record to 13-0, with nine stoppages. Llagas hadn't fought since outpointing Nuengubai 3-k Battery to win the Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA) crown in Thailand in August last year. A few months ago, Llagas was recruited to spar with World Boxing Council (WBC) superflyweight champion Gerry Penalosa and was brutally mauled. He took a long rest to recover from the beating then faced Torres in the first defense of his Philippine crown. In other fights, Marc Francis, 106, defeated Jovy Mancha, 107, and Roque Murillo, 109, beat Titing Ignacio, 107, via eight-round unanimous decisions.
May 23, l998. Elorde Sports Center, Sucat, Paranaque. Promoter: Gabriel Elorde, Jr. Alfredo Sandab, 119, trounced Jovi Halog, 119 1/2, by a unanimous 10-round verdict. In other bouts, Rommel Froilan, 116 1/2, outpointed Bong Jalandoni, 115 1/2, in eight, Mark Sales, 108, decisioned Matthew Baring, 109, in six, Arnel Apurado, 105 1/2, crushed Dave Cris, 104, in four, and Tata Betonio, 105, scored a unanimous decision over Kid Sacristan, 106 1/2, in four.
May 23, l998. Valencia, Bukidnon. Promoter: Leonel Lazarito. Sammy Sordilla, 116, halted Nathan Barcelona, 115, at 2:35 of the fifth in a scheduled tenner. Benjie Duran, 131, posted a unanimous 10-round decision over Ramon Molina, 134. Dennis Sabsal, 108 1/2, stopped Jun Orjaliza, 109, at l:46 of the third in a tenner. Edwin Talita, ll2 l/2, scored a ninth round technical decision over Allan Orais, 110 l/2, and Rico Macaubos, 112, also notched a technical decision over Eddie Sajonia, 113, in the fourth.
May 27, l998. Tondo Sports Center, Tondo, Manila. Promoter: Rodolfo Nazario. Joel Junio, 120, scored a unanimous 10-round decision over Ric Evasco, 120. Stocky "Toy Bulldog" Bert Cano, 114 1/2, beat journeyman Rudy Idano, 115, by a unanimous 10-round decision. Roy Tarazona, 112 1/2, eked out a majority eight-round verdict over Flash Simbajon, 112 1/2. Oriental flyweight champion Manny Pacquiao's younger brother Bobby, 118, was lucky to escape with a split six-round decision over Dodong Sales, 119.
June 6, l998. Almednras Gym, Davao City. Promoter: Vicente Adriano. Rey Villamor, 110, upset Buddy (Tyson) Ledama, 112, on points to capture the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight crown. Abner Cordero, 114, halted Jun Magsipoc, 114, in the seventh round to annex the PBF junior bantamweight diadem. The PBF is like a "junior" version of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB)-recognized national title. The GAB is the government agency that supervises professional sports in the Philippines. The GAB is headed by Dominador Cepeda, the outgoing Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation President. Fernando Montilla, 125, stopped Jonathan Albay, 126, in the fifth round and Sugar Rey Mike, 114, halted Butch Quimco, 118, also in the fifth. In another scheduled tenner, Ray Ganton, 108, disposed of Randy Narby, 108, in the ninth.
June 13, l998. Oroquieta City. Promoter: Sonny Oaminal. Robert Malinis, 110, beat Elmer Rodrigo, 110, via a majority 10-round decision. Nelson Mantos, 114, scored a majority eight-round verdict over Cocoy Lopez, 119. Rommel Libradilla, 112, stopped Rustom Llagas, 112, at 2:07 of the second in a scheduled sixer.
June 14, l998. Alubijid, Misamis Oriental. Promoter: Quintin Kaamino. Jojo Unabia, 118, stopped Eddie Sajonia, 117, at 2:55 of the second round in a scheduled sixer. Manny Fajardo, 111, decisioned Iking Formentera, 111, in another sixer.
June 14, l998. Buug, Zamboanga del Sur. Promoter: Fabiano Timpon. Terec Vere, 107, was held to a third round technical draw by Jack Comen, 106, in a scheduled tenner. Rolando Baclayo, 108, scored a unanimous 10-round verdict over Dario Olarte, 109.
June 17, l998. Mandaluyong City. Promoter: Rodolfo Nazario. Philippine featherweight titlist Joe Escriber's younger brother Edward, 115 1/2, pounded out a ninth round technical decision win over Alfredo Sandab, 117 1/2, to gain the vacant Philippine bantamweight crown which was vacated by Jess Maca. Hard-luck Rodel Llanita, 116, settled for a first round technical draw with Joven Jurda, 116. It was Llanita's second straight draw after a 6-0 start, with six knockouts, as a pro. Jose Clasida, 105, halted Rudy Fernandez, 107 1/2, at 2:38 of the fifth. Orlando Villaflor, 120, defeated Al Juhn Tan, 120, via an eight-round unanimous decision.
June 19, l998. Lantapan Gym, Bukidnon. Promoter: Leonel Lazarito. Ramon Molina, 135, beat Gerry de Gracia, 135, by a unanimous decision in a tenner. Jimmy Aguirre, 121, stopped Felix Mantos, 121, at 2:45 of the ninth. Renato Adolfo, 106, knocked out Rey Caengles, 105, at 2:30 of the third in a scheduled eight-round bout.
June 21, l998. Tagaytay City. Promoter: Haydee Garcia. Joel Gonzales, 130 l/2, halted Arnold Jaspe, 130, at l:22 of the seventh round. Joe Avila, 116 l/2, scored a unanimous eight-round decision over the comebacking former Philippine flyweight king Lee Escobido, 116. Flash Eraham, 112, scored a fourth technical decision over Rany Tat Biron, 112, and Rey Arlos, 113, drew with Titing Ignacio, 112 1/2, in a sixer. Arman Pediamonte, 119, nipped Dodong Sales, 117, by a split six-round verdict.
END OF FIGHT RESULTS