Boxing

Laurente wins OPBF crown

By Dennis Principe

17.08 - UNHERALDED Filipino boxer Pedrito Laurente scored a stunning 12-round upset win over world-rated Japanese Manabu Fukushima to wrest the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) superbantamweight crown the last night at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The 23-year old Laurente started the first few rounds rather sluggishly after being caught by Fukushima’s overhand rights and body shots.

In the 7th round, Laurente suffered an ugly gash on his left eyebrow after being hit by a solid straight from Fukushima, who was ranked 8th in the prestigious World Boxing Council (WBC) ratings going into this championship match.

Instead of being discouraged, the cut turned out to be the Filipino pug’s driving force in winning the succeeding rounds and eventually score a convincing 115-114, 117-113 and 116-112 verdict, all in favor of the newly-crowned champion.

This was Laurente’s second crack at a regional crown after a futile bid for the Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA) bantamweight tiara versus Thai champ Poonsawat Kratindaeng where the Filipino lost by 4th round TKO on February 13, 2002 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Laurente and older brother Dennis also becomes the first Filipino siblings to hold two OPBF crowns at the same time.

The older Laurente currently reigns as the OPBF lightweight champion and will be making his third title defense against compatriot Fernando Montilla on August 20 at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Parañaque City.

Laurente, who is expected to barge into at least the top 20 of the WBC ratings, improves his record to 13-5-1, 4 coming by way of knockout.

The 29-year old Fukushima, who once fought and lost by 8th round TKO to Mexican Oscar Larios for the WBC 122-lb diadem, drops to 24-6-1, 17 KO’s.

Laurente, meanwhile, will likely make a mandatory title defense against long-time top contender Jimrex Jaca, an undefeated prizefighter from Cebu.

0 comments
 


Bookmark and Share

 

If you detect any issues with the legality of this site, problems are always unintentional and will be corrected with notification.
The views and opinions of all writers expressed on eastsideboxing.com do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Management.
Copyright © 2001- 2015 East Side Boxing.com - Privacy Policy