Kuchanamburi, Thailand (Feb. 22) - A violent intentional head-butt by Pan-Asia Boxing Association (PABA) bantamweight defending champion Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat in the 8th round of the 11-round title fight saved the day for him as he eked out an unappreciated points win over challenger Glenn Porras of North Cotabato, the Philippines.
The head-butt, witnessed by a crowd of about 1,000 stunned Thai boxing fans and whose sickening sound of a forehead ripping apart the right eyebrow of the Filipino challenger was heard by everybody except the referee, was executed by Na Rachawat was Porras was pummeling him with violent body and head shots sending him on the verge of a knockdown in the 7th round.
The goring by Na Rachawat was so strong that the impact almost knocked down Porras and as the Filipino challenger backed off with blood streaming from the cut and getting into his right eye, the Thai champion launched an attack.
"I was dazed. I could not see and I lost by strength because of that head-butt," Porras later said. But he came back towards the end of round 8, squinting his right eye and launched a counterattack to stop the Thai champion's advance.
Strangely, the Thai referee did not even stop the action to declare the cause of the injury and ask the doctor to examine Porras' injury. No point was deducted against the champion for the head-butt.
Porras started strong staggering the champion with accurate head shots as early as the first round and succeeded in drawing blood by breaking the nose of Na Rachawat as early as the 3rd round.
The crowd roared as Na Rachawat came back in the 4th and 5th rounds, going to Porras' midsection. But in the 6th he lost wind and allowed the Filipino challenger to dominate the fight until the fateful 8th when the Thai champion succeeded in inflicting the injury on Porras.
He attempted to gore the Filipino challenger again in the 9th round but failed to connect. This time the referee warned him.
The cut was so deep that a flap of Porras' right eyebrow covered the upper portion of his right eye which required a total of eight stitches.
It was Porras' admirable courage that allowed him to weather the momentary attack of the Thai champion after the injury and even come close to flooring Na Rachawat towards the end of the fight.
The Thai fans, who earlier boisterously cheered Na Rachawat, fell silent as the decision declaring him winner by unanimous decision was announced. Not even Na Rachawat's victory strut around the ring received a gesture of approval from the crowd.
But as is the fact of boxing life in Thailand, a challenger must knock out his opponent to win the fight. And Glenn Porras was aware of that from the very start.
In the undercard of the PABA championship, young Rommel Asenjo lost by decision to former WBO International Jr. Flyweight Champion Sansaknoi Sor Bonsaeng but won the admiration of no less than PABA President for Asia Allan Kim.
"It was a fight that could have gone either way depending on where it would be held," said Capt. Jun Flores, a Fil-Am boxing aficionado and friend of Vice Governor Manny Pinol who joined the latter in the trip to Thailand.
"No complaints. We knew from the very start what would happen if the boys do not knock out their opponents. We will try again next time," said Vice Governor Pinol.(Emmanuel Piñol)
2/11/08
Wide screens available at Rizal Park for Pacman fight after Araw Parade on March 16
The 71st Araw ng Dabaw Socio-Civic Parade is scheduled on March 16, the same day, ring idol Manny Pacquiao fights Juan Manuel Marquez.
Councilor Susabel Reta, Vice Chairperson from the Government Sector of the Executive Committee, said wide screens will also in set up at the Rizal Park to give the parade spectators a venue to watch the much-awaited fight at noon time, just in time the parade will be over.
The fight in the U.S. is scheduled on March 15, March 16 in the Philippines.
This year’s Execom is chaired by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, co-chaired by Eduardo Bangayan, Roger Layson from the private sector, secretariat handled by Patricia Melizza Ruivivar.
Working committee heads are Ruben Bangayan for finance ways and means, Abdullah Aquino for agro-industrial fair, Mo.Assumpta David for the Datu Bago Awards, Richard Vilar for cultural activities, Flor Colina for publicity, Roy Ryan Rigor for barangay events, Charito Santos for employees’ activities, Police Sr.Supt.Jaime Morente for safety and security, Celso Gempesaw for traffic management, James Zimmerman for socio-civic parade and Atty.Jessie Marvin Melodias for physical arrangement.
The grand opening is on March 14 kicking off with a tri-people offering followed by historical vignette performances, Peoples declaration of unity and cooperation, promenade to the Museo Dabawenyo and Mutya ng Dabaw search.
March 15 will have the opening of the Trade Fair and Flea Market dubbed “Tabo”, on site performances and merrymaking at the Rizal and People’s Parks dubbed “Kasadya”, a feature of Davao’s outstanding performers with the Recognizing Outstanding Davao Youth (RODY) Project Specials called “Garbo sa Dabaw”.
The Parada Dabawenyo starts at 8 a.m. on March 16 and after the socio-civic parade, showdown performances of street bands will also be featured, winding up with a music concert of national popular artists called “Pahalipay ni Mayor concert”.
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