Oliva captures WBO Oriental minifly title

SAN Francisco, Southern Leyte — Jether Oliva of the ABA Boxing gym of Davao beat Fernando Ocon of RWS Stable of Cebu by unanimous decision in their 12-round battle for the vacant WBO Oriental miniflyweight title last Friday at the San Francisco multi-purpose gym.

Oliva (17W-0L, 11 KOs) had Ocon on unsteady legs in the second round. Ocon tried to make a fight out of it but Oliva proved far stronger. Ocon was deducted a point in the 5th due to an accidental headbutt that inflicted a cut on Oliva’s left eyebrow.

Ocon adjusted in the middle rounds but Oliva finished strong to score 116-112, 115-113 and 118-110. Ocon (7W-1L, 1 KO) suffered his first career loss.

Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales of Talibon, Bohol also scored a UD win against Eman Labanza of Catmon, Cebu. The scorecards read: 97-94, 96-94 and 98-92.

This was Morales’ first bout since he suffered his first career loss to Fernando Montiel last February 2010 in Las Vegas.

Rene Bestudio managed to hold the more accomplished Ramie Laput to a split draw. Laput, a former WBO Intercontinental superbantamweight champ, used his slick boxing skills against the aggressive and stronger Bestudio. The scores, 97-93 for Laput, 96-94 for Bestudio and 95-95.

In other supporting bouts: Virgilio Silvano beat Lowell Saguisa by 5th round TKO; Aruel Romasasa stopped Jerome Buntog in round two; JV Banares won by second round TKO over Jessie Comedia while Junny Salogaol stopped Jovan Munoz in the first round.

In the first pro bout of the evening, Jerome Casas and Roldan Beriso had a fiercely fought unanimous draw after four rounds (38-38 all).

Winners in the four amateur bouts were Janel Payao, Jordan Catubay, Glen Don Allerea and Jefta Pinpin.

/Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.