Tuñacao is RP’s 2nd current world champ
By Dennis Principe
10.03 - THE erratic career of one-time world title challenger Noel “The Eel” Tuñacao may have finally reached its zenith as he became the first titleholder of the International Boxing Organization (IBO) strawweight crown the other day in Bali, Indonesia.
The 32-year old Tuñacao hammered out an 11th round Technical Knockout (TKO) win over previously undefeated and local champion Abrinset Matta of Indonesia held under the blistering heat of the sun at the Art Center, an open air venue located in Denspar.
Tuñacao generally outboxed Matta from the opening round with crisp counter punching aside from showing some classy footwork.
Tuñacao, fighting out of Stonewall Boxing Club of American manager Terry Lee Carter, injured his left hand in the fourth round due to a thin tape which was used in his hands.
But not even a painful hand, coupled with some blisters in his foot due to the scorching heat at the venue prevented Tuñacao from going for the kill in the 11th round by landing three consecutive uppercuts that put Matta (17-1-1, 8 KO’s) down on the canvass.
The Indonesian champ got up to beat the count but his corner wisely threw in the towel after sensing that their boxer does not stand any chance of salvaging a win.
Tuñacao turned professional last January 13, 1990 as a standout of Antonio L. Aldeguer’s dreaded “ALA Boys” and immediately posted 16 wins and 1 draw.
The impressive winning streak gave Tuñacao an opportunity to fight for the WBA title versus Japanese Hiroki Ioka, only to lose by unanimous decision.
Since losing to Ioka, Tuñacao had a roller-coaster career by winning a couple of fights before bagging the RP lightflyweight title from Robert Padilla last 1995. But consecutive losses to Lee Escobido and Rustico Torrecampo forced Tuñacao to go on a three-year hiatus.
Tuñacao made a comeback January of 2000 and worked his way into the world rankings by posting nine straight victories, including one over ex-world champ Songkram Porpaoin.
Tuñacao was already primed to fight for the IBF world title versus legendary Mexican Ricardo Lopez when he was surprisingly decisioned in a tune-up match against Eagle Okuda in Saitama, Japan last August.
Carter was about to give up on Tuñacao when the IBO offer came. The American manager gave that opportunity to Tuñacao who immediately went back to the gym and give his once-flourishing career one last shot.
Tuñacao is now the country’s second reigning world boxing champion, the other being IBF world superbantamweight king Manny Pacquiao.
Tuñacao will now be a part of IBO’s history for being the first champion of the 105-lb division since its organization’s inception three years ago.
