Asenjo Destroys Tejares in 1st But 17-year-old Lumacad Steals Show

Magpet, North Cotabato, Aug. 11 - World Boxing Organization Miniflyweight Oriental Champion Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo demolished flyweight Rodel Tejares in less than one round of a scheduled 10-round bout Wednesday but it was the 17-year-old former national youth amateur champion Joemer Lumacad who became the star of the night as he displayed exceptional boxing talent and brilliantly dominated his opponent to win his first four-round bout by a shut-out.

 

Asenjo, 21, who is being groomed for a big fight abroad by international promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, displayed tremendous power as he floored the bigger Tejares twice in the first round leading to the stoppage of the fight with just a little over two minutes into the round.

 

The lefthanded WBO Oriental champion, whose dream is to fight legendary Puerto Rican junior flyweight champion Ivan Calderon, stalked Tejares right at the start of the first round and unleashed his vaunted left cross to score the first knockdown and finished off his opponent with relentless punching. It was Tejares' second loss to Asenjo. Their first bout staged two years ago when Asenjo was just a 6-round fighter also ended in a knockout in the second round.

 

While Asenjo showed his devastating power, the star of the show Wednesday night was 5' 6" tall Lumacad, who at 17 needed parental consent to appear in his first professional fight.

 

Displaying natural boxing talent, Lumacad slipped through the punches of Bukidnon's Ronel Brosas, who himself displayed decent boxing skills, and totally dominated the fight from start to finish.

 

The boxing show performed by the young Lumacad was so impressive that the crowd which was silenced in awe for four rounds broke into a thunderous applause after the match.

 

"That boy will be a world champion," said veteran boxing manager Bernard Yu of Agusan del Sur, manager of Brosas.

 

The Pinol brothers led by retired police colonel Patricio, mayors Efren and Joselito and Board Member Socrates were all pleased by the performance of the young Lumacad, the newest protege and a product of the amateur boxing program of former governor Manny Pinol.

 

Magpet town Mayor Efren Pinol who staged "Tomorrow's Champions" tournament Wednesday said Lumacad who weighed 110 lbs. but is expected to grow to be a lightweight was so natural in his movements inside the ring that he made the difficult sport of boxing so easy.

 

Lumacad will fight his second 4-round bout on August 29.

 

The complete results:

- Rommel Asenjo won over Rodel Tejares, KO 1st round 108 lbs.10 rds.

- Gary Lumacad won over Roel Garcia, KO 4th, 108 lbs., 6 rds.

- Rogelio Canete won over Marvin Camungay, TKO 1st rd., 115 lbs., 4 rds.

- Louie Yunting vs. Rodel Sungkit 4 rds 118 lbs. ended in No Decision after the 3rd

- Ronnie Apilado won over Efren Fernandez, TKO 4th, 4 rds., 122 lbs.

- Ronron Dalot won over Phil Francis Abanilla, SD, 4 rds., 112 lbs.

- Joemer Lumacad won over Ronel Bosas, UD, 4 rds., 110 lbs.

 

"Tomorrow's Champions" in Magpet was sponsored by Mayor Efren Pinol in observance of the foundation week of the municipality and supported by 

Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. of , San Miguel Corporation.(pr)

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)