...the boxers

2 Filipino boxers score big wins in Japan

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
04/25/2011

 MANILA, Philippines -- Two Filipino boxers, bantamweight Rolly "Matsushita" Lunas and super bantamweight Jonathan Baat scored big wins at the Sangyo Hall in Ishikawa, Japan on Sunday.

Lunas, the former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion who also challenged WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno but dropped a 12-round decision in October 30, 2008, scored a 5th round knockout over undefeated Rasmanudin of Indonesia.

The 27-year-old Lunas improved his record to 28-8-1 with 16 knockouts while Rasmanudin, who suffered his first loss, fell to 13-1-2 with 8 knockouts.

Rolly "Matsushita" Lunas

Lunas who fights out of Japan lost his OPBF titler to Hiromasa Ohashi on June 21, 2009 and only fought again on November 20, 2010 when he won by a 1st round TKO over Pramod Sor Vorapin of Thailand.

The 30-year-old Baat scored a 6th round TKO over China's 27-year-old Ji Tao to win his 10th fight in a row after losing a 10-round unanimous decision to undefeated Japanese champion Kohei Ohba on October 14, 2007.

Jonathan Baat. Source: facebook.com

Earlier in Ratchaburi, Thailand, two Filipino boxers also broke the trend of losses in Thailand when rugged Larry "Bon Jovi" Canillas scored a stunning 9th round TKO over Pan Asian Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Sukkasem Kietyongyuth to hand the favored Thai his first loss while minimum weight Ivan Soriano won by a second round knockout over Durong Sor Vorasing.

Soriano who is managed by Dr. Rajan Yraola and is trained by Jun Agrabio dropped the Thai with a solid right hand in round two and the Thai referee counted him out.
With the impressive win, the 22-year-old Soriano improves to 9-1 with four knockouts.

In an action-packed bout, Canillas dropped Kietyongyuth early in the fight but the 23-year-old champion fought back gamely and caught Canillas with some solid blows of his own to get back into the fight to the delight of the hometown fans.

After a series of vicious exchanges, Canillas nailed Kietyongyuth with another explosive punch that floored the Thai champion for the second time in the bout.

Although Kietyongyuth fought back desperately, Canillas continued to hammer the champion until referee Jirawat In Eam stepped in and called a halt in the 9th round, giving the 22-year-old Canillas his first regional title and improving his record to 15-3 with 13 knockouts.

The 23-year-old Kietyongyuth suffered his first setback and dropped to 6-1 with four knockouts.