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| Three Filipino boxers win in San Diego card |
By Jun Medina
EL CAJON, CA—Three Filipino boxers scored contrasting wins against their rivals in the sell-out boxing card here, the US first project of Manny Pacquiao, as promoter, at the Sycuan Resort and Casino.
In a dual meet of sorts, world-ranked super bantamweight Bernabe Concepcion stopped a tough Giovanni Caro near the end of the 8th round, and lightweight Dennis Laurente scored a 7th round technical knockout over game Arturo Urena.
Concepcion, the reigning North American Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion, had his hands full against the tough, aggressive Gionanni Caro, the Mexican national champion who hails from of Mexico City.
Concepcion, who was described by Pacquiao as a potential world champion, decked Caro with a hard right hand to the head in the second round, but the game Mexican got back on his feet and continued to take the fight to his bigger Filipino opponent.
In the eighth round, Caro used his slick jab to get inside and score with upper cuts as Concepcion countered with powerful combinations of his own. With the Filipino's left eye closing, Caro sustained the pressure on the inside, and this was when he was hit by another low blow that brought him down on his knees.
The referee deducted a point against Concepcion and gave Caro time to recover, while the ringside physician examined the Filipino's left eye. Concepcion was allowed to continue.
Sensing trouble and the possibility of the fight being stopped, Concepcion unleashed a ferocious barrage of combinations that put Caro on the canvas. The referee stopped the fight at 2:35 in the round.
Laurente stops Urena
Laurente of the famous Elorde boxing stable of Paranaque, Philippines subdued the aggressive Arturo Urena of Mazatlan, Mexico in a junior welterweight eight rounder.
Laurente, a southpaw, used speedy combinations and deftly countered to keep Urena at bay through most of the bout. And just when the tough Mexican was gaining some success with his brawling style, the quick-fisted Filipino punished Urena with a blistering flurry in the sixth that inflicted cuts above the right eye.
The ring doctor checked Urena's cuts after the round and declared him unfit to continue for round seven. Laurente improved to 30 wins against three losses, with 16 of the victories coming by knockout.
Viloria dominates Lagos
Former world flyweight champion Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria (23-2, 13 by KOs) dominated Javier Lagos (15-13-2, 4 KO's) of Mexico City in an eight-rounder, paving the way for another title shot late this year. He was reported being groomed to challenge Colombian Cesar Canchila for his World Boxing Association junior flyweight title in Macau in December.
Viloria, a Filipino American power puncher based in Hawaii, said he was pleased by the outcome, although he added "I could have done better."
Organizers said the bulk of the audience were ethnic Filipinos and Mexicans who came to cheer for their compatriots and a chance to see Pacquiao in person.
Besides Pacquiao and member of his entourage, the other ring celebrities at ringside Filipina sensation Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton, former multi division champion Terry Norris, former welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, middleweight prospect Carlos Abregu, former middleweight contender Eddie Sanchez and former amateur heavyweight standout Andy Ruiz Jr.
Pacquiao thanked Sycuan Boxing Promotions, the partner of his promotional outfit MP Promotions, for successful fight card and added he looked forward to coming up with another project with them at the soonest possible chance.
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