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)