Genesis Libranza steals Philippines flyweight crown

GENESIS Libranza extended his winning streak to four after scoring a hard-earned split decision Saturday evening, April 14, to wrest the Philippines flyweight crown against former champion Ryan Rey Ponteras in the main event of the "Great Fights at the Heights."

Libranza of the MP Boxing Gym-Davao fought tooth and nail against Ponteras from Braveheart Boxing Stable of North Cotabato right at the start of the opening round but got the judges nod after a grueling 12 round showdown to score a 112-116, 117-112, 115-113 decision.

In the supporting bouts, featherweight Juanito Paredes scored his fourth win against Junjie Lauza via split decision, while the lightweight clash between Jimmy Borbon and Jerwin Mejes saw all judges scoring it a draw.

Joepher Montano, meanwhile, scored a second round knock-out against Junar Adante in their welterweight clash as minimumweight Jayson Vayson remains unbeaten after five bouts by stopping Alvin Tayo before the start of the fifth round.

Light flyweight Enrique Magsalin won via majority decision against Melvin Manangquil as Ariel Puton downed Rex Legane in the second round, while Reynald Condes knocked out Joven Dauba also in the second round.

"Great Fights at the Heights" saw the return of professional boxing promotion in the city after years of hiatus as promoter Raffy Panagan said this is just the start of several fights in the city.

Panagan said he is hoping to stage a regional title fight in the city come September 1 as part of the charter day celebration of the Summer Capital.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan, meanwhile, lauded Panagan's promotion in the hopes of bringing back the interest of fight fans in the city.

The mayor said the city will make sure they will institutionalize a measure that will bring preofessional boxing free to the public.

In coordination with the City Government of Baguio, the event is also backed by Pagcor, Xentro Mall, Beneco, Veterans Bank, Land Bank, Tiongsan, Dr. Maria Ocden, Mark Anthony Camilo of Camilo Trucking, Engr. Francis Cuyop of 3K Rock, William Go of Goldrich Construction, Joselito Tan of Jomarcan Construction, and Arnold Tolding of Balintugan Construction. (Roderick Osis)