By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The “Davao Hitman” Balweg Bangoyan has won the vacant WBC International super bantamweight  title with a majority decision over  slow but hard-hitting Raymond Sermona on a rainy night at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.

The action-packed fight card was promoted by Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. in cooperation with the City of Manila headed by Mayor Alfredo Lim and Manila Sports Council chairman Niño dela Cruz.

Bangoyan regained the title he lost when he failed to defend it within the specified period.

 Aware of the punching power of Sermona, Bangoyan  moved in and out to pile up points with quick combinations even as Sermona stalked him all night long and did  connect with some big shots to the body but which were few and far between.

Two of the three judges scored the fight for Bangoyan. Rey Danseco had Bangoyan the winner by a margin of 115-113, Epi Almeda scored it for the new champion by a wider 116-112 margin while Amerucan judge Gene del Bianco saw the fight even at 114-114.

Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain awarded the WBC International Championship belt to Bangoyan who retained his undefeated record, moving up to 14-0 with 5 knockouts.

In the WBC International bantamweight title fight , Batangas based Vicente “Popeye” Palicte scored a convincing unanimous decision over Carlo Magale with all three judges turning in identical scorecards of 116-112.  With the win Palicte’s record improved to 10-1-1 with 5 knockouts.

 In other fights veteran southpaw and perennial world title challenger Juanito Rubillar outclassed the much younger  Jason Geda, scoring a 3rd round TKO with the fight being stopped on the advice of the ring physician. BJ Dolorosa scored a unanimous decision against Allen Matugas, who suffered a knockdown in the 4th round and a point deduction for a low blow in the 5th.

Cavite’s pride, Kid Balongcas stopped Jaypee Otilla in the 5th round when referee Sammy Bernabe called a halt at 1:54 of the round to protect Otilla from further punishment, Dado Cabintoy was held to a split draw by Christian Maas while Datu Dave Day escaped with a close split decision win over Vergel Nebran and Renan Trongco scored a 3rd round knock out victory against Henry Benito.