Finally, two Filipino fighters who are both in their primes will do battle to prove which one truly deserves to be named as one of the country’s top bets for a world title.

On September 3, former WBA interim super flyweight champion Drian Francisco (20-1-1, 16 KOs) of Touch Gloves Gym will lock horns with Michael Domingo (41-15-2, 19 KOs) of the ALA stable.

I have been clamoring for a fight like this to happen for a while now largely because I’ve grown bored of matches between Filipino prospects against bums from all over the world. Since ALA fighter AJ Banal lost to Rafael Concepcion, most Filipino promoters chose to select foreign opponents who do not pose any threat to their fighters.

Sure, the fans enjoy seeing our fighters beat up these imports but the trade-off is that they do not get the challenge they need to push themselves to a higher level. What usually happens is that Filipino prospects beat up a bunch of no-hopers from all over the world, bite on the first lucrative fight they can get overseas, then lose badly to well-trained and mentally-prepared opponents.

Making Filipino prospects fight other Filipino prospects works in so many levels. First, we are assured of a good fight because both fighters have a lot to lose. Second, the results of such fights will help Filipino fight fans draw the line between contenders and pretenders.

The last match the pitted two world-class Filipino fighters against each other happened way back in 1999 and it was between Manny Pacquiao and Reynante Jamili. This was Pacquiao’s comeback fight after losing the WBC flyweight title to Medgoen Singsurat of Thailand. Jamili, on the other hand, was on a string of two knockout wins after losing to Erik Morales by technical knockout. Pacquiao defeated Jamili via second round TKO and we all know what happened next. The winner was catapulted to more marquee fights while the loser went back to the drawing board.

Francisco versus Domingo will be fun to watch because the two fighters come from two proud stables and both will suffer greatly from a loss. Francisco cannot afford to lose to Domingo right after losing his interim WBA title to Tepparith Singwancha of Thailand. A loss for Domingo will usher in the end of his time as a legitimate threat in the division. The winner of this fight will most likely get a shot at a regional title and if all goes well maybe even a world title shot early next year.

I applaud Elmer Anuran of Touch Gloves Gym and Dennis Cañete of ALA Gym for putting this fight together. It would have been easy for them to select foreign opponents to pad the records of their fighters but they chose to make a fight that is both interesting and exciting. Filipino fight fans need more fights like this and, hopefully, this entices the other Filipino promoters to match their best prospects against the top guys of other boxing stables. 

source: Carlo L. Pamintuan -GMA News

Lapu-Lapu City – There is a thin line between being entertaining and being irritating. I'm not really sure at what point Tyson Cave crossed the line. But the boos got louder as the fight progressed. Cave tried to get inside AJ Banal's head. He also managed to enrage the thousands in attendance.

The two southpaws played cat and mouse. Cave did more clowning that fighting. He was a slippery customer and Banal had difficulty landing a clean shot.

As the rounds passed, Banal did deliver the harder punches. Cave would turn and get hit in the buttocks. There was holding and pushing and other extra-curricular activites. Referee Tony Pesons had a hard time maintaining order. Cave moved, danced and clinched. What Cave didn't realize was that you don't get points for making the other guy miss. Punches score points.

In the fifth, a clash of heads opened acut on the corner of Banal's right eyebrow. Blood poured out of the wound and Banal continued to press. Wrestling sequences ensued and Banal was thrown to the canvas on several occasions. They traded low blows and the crowd 's jeers got louder. Cave's attempts at offense were few and far in between.

The Bazooka from Ermita tried to fight, the Prince of Hali tried to run and hold. In the 8th, the bleeding got worse and ring physician Dr. Jose Unabia recommended the fight stoppage. The scorecards read 79-73, 78-74 and 78-74 all for Banal who retains his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title.

Insults from the crowd were directed into Cave's corner. One of Cave's gloves was thrown into the crowd apparently by one of his cornermen. Cave wanted the Cebuanos to remember him; this fight sealed his infamy.

Banal (L) tries to corner a slippery Cave.

Banal declared a winner.

Cave (L) is being comforted by his father Robert.

Domingo (L) puts the pressure on Samosir.

Lorenzo Villanueva (R) looks at the fallen Eddy Camaro.

Jakosalem (L) puts Baluarte on the canvas.

Albert Pagara sends Jaime Alin Jr out of the ring.

Jaime Alin Jr tries to get up as the referee administers the count.

BRUCE LEE DEFANGS THE COBRA

Michael 'Bruce Lee' Domingo won by TKO at the end of the sixth round in his fight against Richard 'King Cobra' Samosir of Indonesia. Samosir tried to fight from a distance and establish his long jab. But Domingo landed the harder blows. Samosir decided to fight back in the 6th but Domingo still dominated the round.

Samosir signalled that he had enough at the end of the 6th and his cornerman left him in the ring, disgusted with his decision to quit.

QUICK THUNDERSTORM

Lorenzo 'Thunderbolt' Villanueva fired a series of left hooks to the body and head of Eddy Camaro. The Indonesian crumbled and took the ten count on one knee. Official time – 1:02.

Camaro went the distance before losing on points to Jason Pagara last January 2010. The unbeaten Villanueva now has 21 wins, 20 by knockout with one no contest.

JAKOSALEM WINS R.P. 140 lb. DIVISION TITLE

Romeo Jakosalem decked Eusebio Baluarte three times, two were recognized by the referee. He continued to pummel a dazed Baluarte prompting the stoppage at 2:53 of the first round.

IN THE OTHER UNDERCARDS:

Albert Pagara remained unbeaten and score a 'highlight reel' knockout of Jaime Alin,Jr in the third round. A powerful right uppercut sent Alin out of the ring and he hung on the ropes unable to get back in. Official time – 1:50.

Jonathan Refugio gave a boxing clinic and won an eight round unanimous decision victory over Jomar Cordinillo. Refugio, a slick southpaw from the Sajulga Stable, used his lateral movement effectively and landed sharp accurate counters. Cordinillo tried to press but missed more than he landed. He was also penalized for low blows in the second.

The scores – 76-75, 77-74 and 78-73.

Jun 'Flash' Intor beat Cris Leon by majority decision. Intor strutted his usual comedy act but Leon did not want any part of it and landed hard straight punches. Intor realized that he was in a real fight and fought just enough to survive. The scores 38-38 and two judges had it 39-37 for Intor.

In the opening bout of the evening, Ryan Maano needed only 43 seconds to dispose of Yoshinobu Arai of Japan. A one-two combo sent Arai down and Maano continued to rain punches on the Japanese when he got up. The referee stopped the fight with Arai trapped on the ropes.

The fights were held at the HOOPS Dome in Lapu-Lapu City and supervised by the Games and Amusements Board. In attendance were GAB Chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon and WBO Asia-Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo. Seen in the crowd were Z Gorres, Milan Melindo and Donnie Nietes. 

source: Rene Bonsubre, Jr. - philboxing