Zamboanga's Rocky Marcial Retains Crown, Knocks Out Thai Boxer

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 01, 2009) - Zamboanga City’s uprising boxing star Anthony “Rocky” Marcial retained his World Boxing Organization Oriental Super Featherweight crown, knocking out his Thai opponent in the first round of their scheduled 12 rounds title bout held in the boisterous crowd of Cebu City on Saturday night.

Marcial dictated the tempo in the opening round peppered Vacharakit Senayan, with jab straight and powerful uppercuts that rocked the former undefeated Thai fighter several times.

Senayan, who fell to 11 wins, 1 loss, 7 KO’s, tried to contest the barrage of punches unleashed by Marcial, but was outclassed by the Zamboangueño hard-hitter who connected relentless left and right combinations in the face which almost sent him down to the canvass in the remaining 1:51 seconds in the first round.

Sensing that the Thai fighter has nothing to answer, Marcial decided to finish the fight, unloaded heavy bombs to Senayan’s body and face that prompted referee Tony Pezon, to intervene and held back the Zamboangueño’s hotshot from inflicting severe damages on his opponent.

Pezon stopped the fight in 1:30 seconds awarding Marcial the victory. With the win Marcial improves his record to 12 wins, no loss, with 11 KO’s.

Marcial who was a product of Congressman Erbie Fabian’s “Golpe-Golpe na Barangay” displayed a masterful performance showing aggressiveness, maturity, and power during fight night.

Fight commentators led by veteran sportscaster Bill Velasco and ABS-CBN’s Dyann Castillejo, were amazed with the Marcial’s skills as a boxer and cited a bright future for the Zamboangueño fighter in the future.

No less than Lightweight kingpin Michael “The Great” Katsidis, was impressed over Marcial’s performance. Marcial was hired by Katsidis camp to be the Australian sparring partner in preparation for his fight against Spain’s Efren “El Tren” Ramirez last Saturday night, where he emerged victorious via unanimous decision. Ramirez went down four times but managed to finish the 10 rounds scheduled bout.

They both trained in Thailand for the said fight and Katsidis was quoted saying that he learned dome from the Zamboangueño fighter.(Noning Antonio)

Zamboanga Boxer To Do Ala-Manny Pacquiao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 29, 2008) - Zamboanga City’s upcoming boxing star and reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Super featherweight Champion Anthony “Rocky” Marcial, took a good break after a renowned international boxing matchmaker, who once brought Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to the helm, took him under his wing and vowed to guide the pugilist to the top of the boxing world.

Marcial, who has an impressive ring record of 10 wins with 9 knockouts, met Monday night with veteran matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, who laid out his plan for the Zamboangueno fighter.

Lewkowicz was accredited for discovering Manny Pacquiao, then an unknown fighter from General Santos City, whom he led to his first international title fight against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao knocked out Ledwaba to capture the WBO Super Bantamweight title.

Lewkowicz, has also guided the careers of Filipinos boxing stars Aj “Bazooka” Banal, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, and Z “The Dream” Gorres, who all became title contenders.

In a two-hour dinner meeting at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manila, Lewkowicz was said to have discussed with Marcial his future fights including a legitimate world title bouts in the US in the future.

However, Lewkowics has opposed plans of bringing Marcial to the US at this early stage of his career, but instead advice his managers to make the Zamboangueno boxer establish his name in the Philippines boxing arena first.

Lewkowicz, known as the “Picasso” of boxing, said that Marcial - now currently being managed by Manila-based father-and-son tandem Angel and Joven Jimenez - will likely start his campaign internationally by next year.

Meanwhile, Sammy Gello-ani, who spotted the talents of Marcial, said that on January the boxer will likely fight Zamboangueno compatriot who is presently the WBO Oriental Featherweight Champion, Eric Canoy. (Erico Rosco)

WBO Title Bout Aims to Put Misamis Oriental on Boxing World Map

WBO Youth Lightweight Champion Jason Pagara (left) and WBO Asia Pacific Mini Flyweight Champion Milan Melindo hold up their belts as challenger Juma Fundi of Tanzania strikes a pose with his trainer, Emmanuel Mlundwa. Beaming from the back are ALA Promotions VP Dennis Cañete, Gov. Oscar Moreno and Leolet Stable's Kate Lazarito. (Photo by Mike Baños)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - The Mandalay Bay of Mindanao. That's what Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno aims to make The Atrium of Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro: The Premier Boxing Destination in Mindanao.

"Even above boxing and sports, we want to show the world how the vast majority of the people in Mindanao live in peace and harmony so people can say Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental and Northern Mindanao are peaceful," Moreno told a press conference Tuesday afternoon for Thursday's scheduled World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific Mini-Flyweight Championship between local boy Milan Melindo and Juma Fundi of Tanzania in Africa.

Melindo, whom boxing commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz calls as "probably the best boxer in the star-studded ALA Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer" will make his second defense of his crown when he clashes with Fundi in the main event of a 60-round extravaganza of ALA Promotions in association with Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and Leolet-Misamis Oriental.

The 20-yr. old Melindo (16-0-0, 4 KOs) of Puerto, Cagayan de Oro, is not only placing his crown on the line against the lanky African but also his clean slate. Last July 26, he defeated WBA No. 4 contender Carlos Melo of Panama for the WBA Intercontinental light flyweight title in Cebu City. He is also rated at No. 2 by the WBO, No. 16 by the WBC and No. 7 by the WBA.

Although he has only nine fights, Fundi appears to be no patsy. He has more KOs at 5 than Melindo, and has only lost one bout vs. WBO Oriental Flyweight champ Richie Mepranum in Maasim, Sarangani last June 14, 2008.

"That fight was fought at 108 lbs., the first time he fought against a flyweight and over six rounds," said Emmanuel Mlundwa, Fundi's trainer, a former East and Central African champion (1975-1978), All-African Games Silver Medalist (1978) and a former Olympian who represented Tanzania at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. "At his natural weight of 105 lbs., he needed only seconds to knock out his last opponent."

Last August 31st, Fundi knocked out compatriot Sadat Miyeyusho in the first round in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. He also has two other first round stoppages against Musa Shuza last February 23 and Jumanne Mtengela in September 9, 2007.

If Melindo wins, ALA would probably send him to Dubai for his first international fight, said Dennis Cañete, vice president of ALA Promotions. In a report posted in philboxing.com website, Nathanielz quoted Michael Aldeguer as saying Melindo could be matched against Omar Soto of Mexico or with former world champion Indonesian Muhammad Rachman who lost his title to the Philippines Florante Condes on July 7, 2007 in Jakarta.

In the supporting bout, 16-year old teen sensation Jason Pagara of Cagayan de Oro (15-1-0, 9 KOs) the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth champion will seek to fill the vacant Philippine lightweight title against RP No.4 contender Arnel Porras of Kidapawan, North Cotabato (9-15-3, 4 KOs), himself a former RP lightweight champion.

The other supporting bout, a "grudge match" between Eusebio Baluarte of Valencia City, Bukidnon (11-1-0, 5 KOs) and Jury Noda of Manila (5-9-1, 4 KOs) has been cancelled after Baluarte unexpectedly contracted chicken pox, Moreno said. Baluarte earlier defeated Noda with a 10th round TKO on Feb. 13, 2008 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

In the undercard, Weng Haya of Malitbog, Bukidnon goes up against Jaime Barcelona of Valencia City, Bukidnon (130 lbs-8 rds); Romeo Jako of Digos, Davao del Sur battles William George of Kidapawan City, Cotabato (133 lbs-8 rds) and ABS/CBN idol champion Jerson Mancio of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur goes up against Saldy Calamba of Camiguin (109 lbs-6 rds); Marlon Tapalez of Maranding, Lanao del Norte battles Roilo Golez of Bukidnon (106 lbs-6 rds); Mark Anthony Geraldo of Valencia City, Bukidnon fights Junrey Naïve of Butuan (112 lbs-4 rds) and Dondon Tumala of Valencia City battles Ronnel Suco of Butuan (124 lbs-4 rds).

Tickets have been pegged at P100 (general admission); P300 (lower box), P400 (ringside) and P600 (sponsor) and can be bought at all Dunkin' Donut outlets, Limketkai Center Customer Service, Clark Hatch, USA Sports in Gaisano Mall and the Misamis Oriental Provincial Administrator's Office with tel. nos. (08822) 710965, 720763 and 724347. (Mike Baños)