8/3/10

Young Cotabato Prospect Awes WBO Veep

JOEMER LUMACAD

M'lang, North Cotabato - A 17-year-old former national amateur youth champion who is turning professional on Aug. 11 has impressed World Boxing Organization (WBO) vice president Leon Panoncillo following a first round stoppage win in an amateur bout held in this town Sunday, Aug. 1.
Bantamweight Joemer Lumacad, a southpaw who is 5' 6" tall, displayed natural boxing talents in disposing of his opponent in his last amateur bout prior to turning professional on Aug. 11.
"Very impressive. He will go places," said Panoncillo who came to M'lang to supervise the double WBO Oriental championships held in celebration of the town's foundation anniversary celebration Aug. 1 to 5.
Lumacad, who comes from New Antique fronting the vast Liguasan Marsh, a village frequently attacked by secessionist rebels in the past, was a member of the North Cotabato amateur boxing team which participated in the National Youth Championships in Bacolod City in 2008. He won the gold in the 48 kg. category.
His older brother, Gary who fights in the junior flyweight division, is also a professional boxer who won his fourth bout yesterday scoring a unanimous decision.
Former North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol, who will be Joemer's manager, said the young Lumacad worked as a gasoline boy shortly after graduating from high school early this year.
"I was with Joemer when he won the gold in Bacolod but I actually forgot about him because of my previous involvement in politics. Last month, I remembered him when I saw his brother Gary and I was told that he was working as a gasoline boy in M'lang so I sent somebody to get him back to the gym," he said.
In his last amateur fight yesterday, Joemer displayed natural movement inside the ring and tremendous power as he staggered his opponent several times in the first round prompting the referee to stop the fight.
"Natural ang talent," said promoter Samson Gelloani, who also saw the fight of Lumacad yesterday.
Lumacad will fight his first 4-round bout on Aug. 11 in a boxing card sponsored by Magpet Mayor Efren Pinol.(pr)

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