ROACH IMPRESSED WITH NEW FILIPINO BOXING PROTEGE

Baguio City - Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach started his training program with his new Filipino boxing protege, undefeated featherweight Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, at the Coyeesan Shape-Up Boxing Gym Wednesday and after four rounds of mitts sparring described the 24-year-old southpaw from North Cotabato as "impressive."

Villanueva, 21 wins with 20 KOs, becomes only the second Filipino boxer to be currently handled by Roach, widely acknowledged as one of boxing's best trainers. Roach is in the Philippines to start the first phase of the training program for his favorite boxer, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao who will figure in a third bout with Mexican challenger Juan Manuel Marquez.

"I don't want to be excessive with my praises but this boy learns fast, disciplined and he definitely packs power," proudly told Pacquiao of his new ward. Pacquiao arrived at the Coyeesan Gym to work out shortly after Roach finished his first training session with Villanueva.

The 5' 7" tall orphan, who Roach said is tall for a featherweight, was brought up to Baguio City by former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinol who is Villanueva's manager. He was presented to the American trainer for the first time in the plosh The Manor Wednesday morning in the presence of Baguio City businessman Jay Sobrepena.

"Don't be too shy," Roach told Villanueva after he noticed that the fighter from the southern Philippine island of Mindanao would just meekly smile and bow his head as the American trainer and Pinol discussed the training plans for the Filipino southpaw widely touted as a bright prospect for Philippine boxing.

The first training session at the Coyeesan Gym was supposed to start at 1:30 p.m. but Villanueva and his group were at the gym at 12:30 p.m. 

After four rounds of shadow boxing, Roach asked Villanueva to get up the ring with him and started a mitts sparring session which lasted for four rounds.

Roach started demonstrating to Villanueva the techniques to shorten his punches and move his body. He appeared impressed as the World Boxing Oriental Featherweight champion easily implemented the moves that the American training wanted him to do.

After four rounds of mitts sparring, Roach got off the ring with a thumbs up sign and a big smile on his face.

"It's a bit too early to say this but this boy could make it. He has the power and the discipline and he learns fast," Roach said.

Roach said he expects to bring Villanueva back to the United States with him to continue his training program at the famed Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California.

Villanueva, along with Braveheart Boxing Club assistant trainer Bruce Lerio, will stay in Baguio City for about three weeks and train alongside Manny Pacquiao in his high-altitude training program.(pr)

Braveheart's Villanueva, Magbanua Invited To Train in U.S. with Former Valero Mentor

ROLANDO MAGBANUA

LORENZO VILLANUEVA

World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Featherweight champion Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva and former WBO Interim Aspac Bantamweight champion Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua have been invited to train in the United States by legandary trainer Robert Alcazar in Maywood, California.

Jose Castillo, who managed former lightweight champion Edwin Valero and who arranged the training program, has officially asked the Consular Office of the American Embassy in Manila to allow Villanueva, Magbanua, chief trainer Noli Pinol and assistant trainer Bruce Lerio to travel to the US for a 2-month training program under Alcazar.

Villanueva, 24, a southpaw, is undefeated in his professional career with 20 wins and 19 KOs. He is scheduled to appear in the undercard of a Donnie Nietes show July 16 as part of ALA Boxing Promotions Pinoy Pride Series.

Magbanua, 25, who has a record of 19 wins, 14 KOs with 2 losses on points, is on a comeback trail after losing to compatriot Jason Igera, He is scheduled to fight in Gen. Santos City June 11.

Alcazar reportedly told Castillo that Villanueva has the potential of becoming another world champion from the Philippines because of his punching power and capacity to take a punch.

Even with his awesome pro record, Villanueva is still considered raw and needs refinement in his movements inside the ring, especially his defense.

Magbanua, on the other hand, hopes to be able to benefit from the training program through the improvement of his stamina and endurance which are his weak points.

In the US, Villanueva, Magbanua and two trainers are expected to stay with Braveheart Boxing Club cutman Jeff de Guzman in Glendale, California, about 30 minutes away from the Maywood Gym where they will train.

The team is tentatively scheduled to leave for the US after the July 16 fight of Villanueva.  [CARLOS BAUTISTA]

Double WBO Oriental Fights: Villanueva Stops Bangoyan; Diale KOs Jabel

M'lang, North Cotabato - The Double World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental championships which featured two Braveheart boxers from North Cotabato ended in contrasts as featherweight champion Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva stopped challenger Balweg Bangoyan after the 6th round while young Jermie Jabel suffered a stunning 3rd round knockout from the hands of Ardin Diale in their fight for the vacant flyweight title.

Villanueva, 23, raw and awkward but tough, stood toe to toe with Bangoyan from the first round up to the end of the 6th taking everything that the challenger could dish out including thunderous punches to the midsection. He staggered Bangoyan several times and caused a huge swelling on the challenger's left face prompting the ring doctor to recommend to the referee, Tony Pesons, the stoppage of the fight after the 6th.

Officially, it will be a 7th round stoppage victory for the 5' 7" tall brawler from Midsayap town. Villanueva improved his record to 18 wins with 17 KOs and one No Decision.

Jermie Jabel, 22, the flyweight prospect from Pigcawayan town learned a painful lesson for the night when he fought the wrong fight and engaged the shorter but stronger Diale in a close quarter battle. Diale dropped Jabel with a short uppercut in the first round and Jabel was never able to recover.

Diale scored another knockdown in the second round before sending Jabel to the canvas in the 3rd for a full count by referee Bruce Mctavish.

"Jabel fought the wrong fight. I will have to sit down with the training staff to assess that fight and point out the flaws. Then maybe we will give him another chance and determine whether he still has what it takes to excel in this sport. Honestly, I am not very happy with this result because I feel that if he gets knocked out by somebody who had been knocked out by Rodel Mayol and Johnriel Casimiro, then that indicates that something is simply not right," said Braveheart Boxing Club owner and Jabel's manager, Manny Pinol.

"I pity the boy because I know how much he wanted to win. He certainly got an A for courage. But we will have to honest in our assessment. Boxing is a cruel sport. Compassion even for mediocre fighters has no room here," he added.

Villanueva, however, will be taking a different route according to the former North Cotabato governor who is now the acknowledged boxing patron of the area.

"Villanueva certainly has the heart and the power. But we really have to overhaul his fighting style. He is going to end up with a octagonal head if continues fighting the way he did tonight. A certain degree of boxing skills and art must be added to his fighting style," he said.

In other fights, Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua, 25, made a quick job of his comeback fight by scoring a first round knockout over Nikong Calamba while Glenn "The Rock" Porras, 24, cut down Jun Pader with powerful body punches right in the first round of the twin eight-round bouts in the bantamweight division.

Rey Juntilla, 21, struggled to win over Roberto Omela in 6 rounds while junior flyweight Gary "Chinito" Lumacad, 22, and Francis Abanilla, 19, a flyweight won their respective 4 round fights.

The M'lang event was sponsored by Mayor Lito Pinol of M'lang, Mayor Efren Pinol of Magpet and San Miguel Corporation.(pr)

Double WBO Oriental Championships: Villanueva In Top Shape, Bangoyan Fails to Make Weight; Jabel-Diale Bout A Slambang Match

M'lang, North Cotabato - What was earlier expected to be an interesting match up between World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Featherweight Champion Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva and former World Boxing Council (WBC) International jr. featherweight champion Balweg "Davao Hitman" Bangoyan lost some of its luster when the challenger failed to make the 1`26-pound weight limit for the 12-round championship bout.

While defending champion Villanueva, 23, weighed at 125 lbs., one pound lower than the weight limit, challenger Bangoyan tipped the scale at 130 lbs.

WBO Asia Pacific Vice President Leon Panoncillo who witnessed the weigh in said that under WBO rules the Villanueva-Bangoyan fight will still be staged as a championship bout. In the event Bangoyan wins, the title will be declared vacant. 

Bangoyan, under the WBO rules, will be required to wear a bigger pair of gloves weighing 10 ounces compared to the regular 8 ounces for the lower weight category fights.

This development prompted Panoncillo to declare that the WBO Oriental Flyweight championship between Jermie "The Worm" Jabel of North Cotabato and Manila's Arden Diale would now be elevated to be the main event. Jabel weighed 111.5 lbs. while Diale scaled 110 lbs., both well within the limit of 112 lbs. for the flyweight category.

Jabel, undefeated in 16 fights with 15 wins, 8 KOs and 1 draw, will be fighting for a regional title for the first time against the tough Diale, who earlier in his career fought two boxers who would later become world champions - Rodel Mayol and Johnriel Casimiro.

The WBO championship bouts will be held at the M'lang Municipal Gymnasium and is sponsored by M'lang Mayor Joselito Pinol and Magpet town Mayor Efren Pinol, both younger brothers of Braveheart Boxing Club owner Manny Pinol.

Other Braveheart boxers who will be seeing action Sunday are jr. featherweight Rolando Magbanua, bantamweight Glenn "The Rock" Porras, jr. featherweight Rey "The Bull" Juntilla, junior flyweight Gary "Chinito" Lumacad and Francis "The Panther" Abanilla.

The fights, staged in connection with the foundation anniversary of M'lang municipality.(pr)

Lorenzo Villanueva-Eric Macas Rematch Now on YouTube

Kidapawan City - The much-awaited video of the rematch between World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Featherweight champion Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva of North Cotabato and Eric Macas of Maranding, Lanao del Norte is now on YouTube.com.

The 12-round Oriental championship bout which was held on Feb. 14, 2010 in M'lang, North Cotabato was arranged eight months after the controversial first encounter between Villanueva and Macas in the latter's home turf in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.

In the first fight, Macas was initially declared the winner by Technical Decision by the referee and the panel of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) after the ringside physician ruled that the cut suffered by Macas was serious and the boxer could not continue fighting.

The referee ruled that it was a headbutt that caused the cut. A review of the video, however, showed that the cut was caused by a legitimate blow and that the referee waited for a long time before declaring that the cut was caused by a headbutt.

A review committee headed by Commissioner Angel Bautista overturned the ruling of the referee and the GAB panel and declared the fight a No Decision.

In the February rematch, which Villanueva won by knockout in the 2nd round, the North Cotabato fighter showed fight fans that he could have won the first fight too had the referee not erred in his ruling on the cut.

With the victory over Macas, the undefeated 23-year-old orphan from Midsayap, North Cotabato improved his record to 18 wins with 17 knockouts.(pr)

Undefeated Featherweight Dreams of Training With Freddie Roach

Featherweight Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, the 23-year-old power puncher from Midsayap, North Cotabato who holds a spectacular and immaculate fight record of 18 wins with 17 KOs, has one dream as a boxer - to train under Hall of Fame boxing coach Freddie Roach.

"I have learned a lot from my trainers, especially coach Noli Pinol, but I believe that coach Freddie Roach will be able to transform me into a better fighter like what he did to Manny Pacquiao," said Villanueva, a shy boy who turned to boxing at an early age when he lost his father and his mother could no longer send him to school.

Villanueva, who is currently the WBO Oriental featherweight champion, is tall at 5' 7" and a tremendous puncher, is described by his manager, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, as an awkward fighter who needs fine-tuning from celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.

"I have seen how Freddie was able to transform Manny Pacquiao from a one-handed and one-dimensional fighter to become the greatest fighter of all time. I believe he can do this with Lorenzo Villanueva," said Vice Gov. Pinol.

Pinol said he has asked Billy Keane, who serves as Gerry Penalosa's manager, to help in convincing Freddie Roach to give Villanueva a chance to train under him.

"You don't find boxers like Lorenzo everyday. The boy has a heart as large as a battleship, he has the power and most of all the discipline. It's a pity if we don't get him the best training that he needs to realize his full potentials as a fighter," said Pinol.

He said there is no problem with the current training staff handling Villanueva, inluding Braveheart chief trainer Noli PInol, as all of them are believers of Freddie Roach's training program and style.

Villanueva, a southpaw like Manny Pacquiao, is currently training for a July 24 fight in a promotion to be staged by former world bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa in Manila.

Three other Braveheart boxers -- bantamweights Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon, Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua and Glenn "The Rock" Porras -- are also expected to see action in the July 24 fight card.

Villanueva said that training under Freddie Roach would be the realization of a long cherished dream which he believes could open up the doors of opportunities for him in boxing.

"I hope he gives me a chance to prove my worth as a boxer," Villanueva said.

Billy Keane who now represents the Braveheart boxers in the United States said he will do his best to convince Freddie Roach to take a look at the Thunderbolt.

Braveheart boxers see action July 24

The Braveheart Boxers of North Cotabato, led by World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight Oriental champion Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, will see action July 24 in Metro Manila in a card to be staged by former world bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa.

Braveheart Boxing Club owner Manny Pinol said Gerry Penalosa has offered to help the North Cotabato boxers gain exposure in Metro Manila by featuring four of its top contenders, including Villanueva, former WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight champion Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon, former WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua and Glenn "The Rock" Porras.

Four other young fighters from North Cotabato will also be seeing action in the undercard of what Penalosa calls a "Manila vs. Mindanao" match up to be held in a still undisclosed venue.

Gerry told Pinol that those who will perform well in the July 24 card will again see action in September, in a boxing event where Penalosa will be fighting his farewell bout prior to his formal announcement of retirement from boxing.

Villanueva, 23, who holds a record of 18 wins with 17 KOs, is being eyed by Gerry for a possible stint in the United States along with Maraon, 24, (13 wins, 11 KOs, 1 draw), Magbanua, 24, (17 wins, 12 KOs, 1 loss) and Porras, 24, ) 22 wins, 12 KOs, 2 losses).

Gerry's business manager, American Billy Keane, has expressed interest in helping the Braveheart Boxers get fights in the US in the future, Pinol said.

VILLANUEVA SETTLES SCORE WITH MACAS;ASENJO WINS WBO ORIENTAL TITLE ANEW;

VILLANUEVA SETTLES SCORE WITH MACAS;ASENJO WINS WBO ORIENTAL TITLE ANEW;

philboxing.com/thepinoyboxers.com

M'lang, North Cotabato - Young featherweight prospect Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva settled an old score with former opponent Eric Macas last Sunday, Feb. 14, as he scored a spectacular 2nd round knockout to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Featherweight title before a huge crowd in an open-air event at the M'lang Municipal Plaza.

Villanueva, 23, whose boxing record of 16 wins with 15 KOs is blemished only by a No Decision bout when he fought Macas in Ozamis City, Zamboanga del Norte Province in May last year, came into the fight determined to show his superiority over his previous opponent.

The left-handed Villanueva, an orphan whose boxing career is being handled by the Braveheart Boxing Club owned by North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Pinol and his brothers, started the fight in a blistering pace chasing Macas all over the ring while at the same time connecting with thunderous shots to the body and the head of his opponent.

In the second round, the 5' 7" tall Villanueva caught Macas with a right to the head and a booming left to the right rib cage sending Macas crumbling to the canvas like an empty sack.

WBO International Referee Tony Pesons counted Macas out at 2:23 minute of the 2nd round.

The win improved the undefeated Villanueva's record to 17 wins with 16 KOs while Macas' record fell to 12 wins and 6 losses.

It was a sweet victory for Villanueva who in May last year was initially declared a loser in his fight against Macas, in the latter's territory in Ozamis City when the referee erroneously declared that a cut suffered by Macas in the 5th round of their 10-round bout was caused by a headbutt.

Vice Gov. Pinol, the registered manager of Villanueva protested the ruling based on the video recording of the fight which clearly showed that there was no clash of heads prior to the stoppage of the fight and that the cut was caused by legitimate blows.

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) through Commission Angel Bautista, who supervised the fight last Sunday, later declared the fight a No Decision after reviewing the video recording of the fight.

In the main undercard, 20-year-old Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo survived a tough fight against Jetly Purisima in the battle for the vacant WBO Oriental Miniflyweight title.

Both fighters traded blows all throughout the fight with Asenjo suffering a cut in the 11th round. But at the end of the fight, ringside judges Romy Yulo, Edward Ligas and Salven Lagumbay of the WBO submitted a similar 115-113 card in favor of Asenjo.

Here are the results of the undercards:
- Reynaldo "Boy of Steel" Belandres won over Jaime Barcelona by UD in 10 in a featherweight bout with knockdowns scored by Belandres in the 2nd and 4th;
- Glenn "The Rock" Porras won over Renan Branzuela by UD in 10 bantamweight;
- Jermie "The Worm" Jabel showed his potential as a world caliber flyweight as he dominated the game and powerful Rasel Alim in 10 rounds;
- Gary Lumacad won by UD over Rowel Garcia, 107 lbs., 4 rounds;
- Phil Francis Abanilla won by UD over Renante Suacaza, 112 lbs., 4 rds;
- Froilan Saludar won by UD over Jhong-jhong Ponteras, 112 lbs., 4 rds;
- Roel Romasasa won by UD over Romel Omosora, 110 lbs., 4 rds.

“Thunderbolt” Villanueva stakes WBO Oriental Featherweight title against Eric Macas

World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Featherweight Champion Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva puts his title at stake to settle an old score with Eric Macas at the M’lang municipal plaza on Sunday, February 14.

In a non-title fight scheduled for 10 rounds in Ozamis City on May 23, 2009, the 24-year old Villanueva battered Macas from the opening of round 1 hurting the Lanao del Norte fighter several times and succeeding in inflicting a cut over his right eye which the referee declared was caused by a legitimate blow.

Fight officials however declared Macas winner by technical decision after stopping the fight in the 5th due to a cut below his right eye which Referee Delbert Pelegrino ruled as a result of a headbutt.

North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol who owns Braveheart Boxing Club contested the ruling before the Games and Amusements Board presenting a video recording of the fight which showed that the cut was a result of three powerful punches connected by Villanueva.

The GAB declared the fight a “No-Decision.”

Villanueva went on to wrestle the WBO Oriental 126-lb. title from former Asian Games gold medallist Eric Canoy on July 4, 2009 at the Midsayap municipal gymnasium, scoring three knockdowns before finally stopping the ageing champion in the 10th round.

In the supporting main event, WBO Oriental Mini Flyweight Champion Romel “Little Assassin” Asenjo, also of Braveheart Boxing Club, defends his title against Jetli Purisima.

Purisima, who lost to Asenjo via majority decision when they battled at the Midsayap Municipal Gymnasium on June 21, 2008, hopes not only to get even with the Braveheart boxer but to wrestle his title as well.

Other bouts in the Valentine’s Day boxing event sponsored by North Cotabato 2nd District Representative Jun Piñol will feature Braveheart boxers Reynaldo Belandres against Jaime Barcelona, Jermie Jabel versus Rosel Alim, Glenn Porras who faces Renan Branzuela, Gary Lumacad who will battle Rowel Garcia, and Phil Francis Abanilla who will fight Renante Suncasa.

Year of the Bravehearts

Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo

Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua

Lorenzo "Thunberbolt" Villanueva

Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon

Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong

Prepare your 2010 boxing calendar this early. Make sure it is adorned with a Big Red Heart pierced by a flash of lightning.

If Lady Luck smiles, 2010 could be the year of the Braveheart Boys of North Cotabato, a province in the Southern Philippines which has a long history of conflict and violence but which has stood out as one of the most outstanding local government units in the country.

With five regional champions in its folds, Braveheart Boxing Club could finally realize the dream of its patron, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol to produce world boxing champions.

Braveheart boxers now own five World Boxing Organization (WBO) regional titles. Tiny Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo, 20, (14 wins, 2 losses, 12 KOs) holds the WBO Oriental Miniflyweight title; Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong, 23, (21 wins, 2 losses, 13 KOs) is the WBO Oriental Junior Flyweight titlist; Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon, 24, (14 wins, 11 KOs, 1 draw) is the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion; Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua, 24, (17 wins, 12 KOs) is the WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion; and Lorenzo "Thunberbolt" Villanueva, 23, (15 wins, 15 KOs, 1ND), raw and awkward but tough as a nail recently stopped Asian Games gold medallist Eric Canoy to win the WBO Oriental featherweight crown.

"It could happen in 2010. A few of the boys are already ripe for the world championships," said Pinol, who as Governor of the province from 1998 to 2007 embarked on a grassroots boxing program that staged matches among barefoot boys during village and town fiestas and selected from among them those who had the prospect of becoming champions.

In 2005, with the help of the Cuban ambassador to the Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission under Butch Ramirez, then governor Pinol travelled to Cuba with bosom friend journalist Recah Trinidad and brought home to North Cotabato jaded Cuban trainer Honorato Espinosa who gave his country its first Olympic gold medal in Munich.

Espinosa stayed in North Cotabato for 18 months and trained local trainors including Vice Gov. Pinol's younger brother, Noli, who is now Braveheart's chief trainer. The Cuban influence is very visible in the fighting style of the Braveheart boxers who are aggressive and excellent body punchers.

At least four of these boys are already ready for the big time, said Vice Gov. Pinol.

"Magbanua, Maraon, Dapudong and Asenjo could already stand up to the best in the world in their division. I will certainly entertain the idea of pitting Magbanua in the junior featherweight division. Maraon could go up against the winner of the Fernando Montiel-Eric Morel bout, Dapudong could take on Ivan Calderon while Asenjo could go up against Donnie Nietes," said Vice Gov. Pinol.

"Of course, there is no guarantee that our boys will prevail over these popular and outstanding opponents but they certainly will give boxing fans something to remember," he said.

Vice Gov. Pinol said the next group of fighters who are still being honed and fine-tuned include Lorenzo Villanueva, undefeated featherweight Reynaldo Belandres and undefeated flyweight Jermie Jabel.

"About 30 more boys as young as 14 are now training as amateurs and waiting for their turn to be given a chance to prove their worth," he said.

"Those who do not have the skills and the heart are simply told to go back to school," Vice Gov. Pinol said adding that the selection of good boxers is just as tough as separating the grain from the chaff.

With a sustained effort and well-planned boxing program, Filipino boxing fans could watch out for the Braveheart Boys in 2010 and the years after that.

VICE GOV. PINOL TO FILE CHARGES VS. BOXING OFFICIALS IN VILLANUEVA-MACAS FIGHT

Kidapawan City, North Cotabato - Braveheart Boxing Club president and North Cotabato provincial vice governor Manny Pinol today said he will ask his lawyers to file appropriate charges against the boxing officials and Games and Amusements Board (GAB) supervisor involved in the controversial fight between his boxer Lorenzo Villanueva and junior lightweight Eric Macas which has been declared a "No Decision" fight by the GAB.

"It is time to cleanse Philippine boxing of incompetent and corrupt boxing officials who do the sport a lot of harm and destroy the career of young boxers," Pinol said.

The Villanueva-Macas fight held in Ozamis City on May 23, which was marked by heavy betting among boxing fans at the Medina Gymnasium, was stopped in the 5th round after referee Delbert Pelegrino saw a cut below th right eye of Macas.

With the concurrence of GAB Supervisor Vic Cabalog, referee Pelegrino ruled that the cut was a result of a headbutt and proceeded to declare Macas winner by technical decision which was disputed by Vice Gov. Pinol who asked for a review of the video recording of the fight.

Failing to convince Cabalog to reverse the decision, Vice Gov. Pinol filed a complaint before the Commission in Manila and after a review of the video recording of the fight, GAB Chairman Eric Buhain and the GAB commissioners nullified the result and declared the fight a "No Contest."

"While we are happy with the reversal of the decision, it does not give justice to my boxer Lorenzo Villanueva because he was robbed of a legitimate victory. The fight should have been declared a TKO victory for Villanueva," he said.

Vice Gov. Pinol said he has included the three judges in the charges because of their biased judging where they scored the fight in favor of Macas when it was very clear that Villanueva had the upperhand.

"One of the judges even had a ridiculous card which saw Villanueva winning in only one of the five rounds completed," he said.

"These people should never be allowed to officiate boxing bouts ever again," the North Cotabato Vice Gov. said.

Outraged Fans Cry Ask GAB to Punish Ref and Judges in Villanueva-Macas Fight

Shortly after the posting on youtube.com yesterday of the 5th round of the controversial fight between undefeated featherweight prospect Lorenzo Villanueva and junior lightweight Eric Macas, which was initially declared by the referee as a technical decision victory for Macas, outraged boxing fans immediately called for the investigation and imposition of sanctions against the officials involved in the May 23 fight in Ozamis City.

"Damn, the ref and the judges are blind," said one blogger obviously referring to the slomo action of the controversial 5th round which showed the young and raw North Cotabato fighter Villanueva connecting with three clean punches to the face of Macas before referee Delbert Pelegrino stepped in to stop the fight and declared that the cut was caused by a headbutt.

Confounding the situation was the anomalous scoring of the judges at ringside who had Macas leading in their scorecards. One of the judges, Cyrusman Manatad, even had Macas leading 49-46 which meant that Villanueva won only one round of the five rounds scored. Under the rules, when the fight is stopped because of injuries to either fighter caused by a headbutt after the 3rd round, the scores are totalled and whoever leads will be declared the winner. However, if the fight is stopped because of injuries resulting from legal blows, the boxer who cannot continue loses the fight.

"Hometown decision," complained another blogger. Macas fights out of the Black Scorpion Stable of Lanao del Norte which is just across the bay from the venue of the fight, Ozamis City, and all the judges, including Manatad who is the son of an employee of Macas' manager, are from the area.

"Kaya hindi umaasenso ang Pilipino (boxers)," said a blogger while another said that it was obvious that the referee did not know his job.

Villanueva's manager, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, immediately protested the result of the fight shortly after Macas was declared winner and challenged the GAB panel to view the video recording of the bout.

Copies of the video recording of the fight have been sent to Commissioner Angel P. Bautista, officer in charge of the GAB, boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, the referee and the judges of the fight and the manager of Macas, Limuel Yap of Maranding, Lanao del Norte.

"I am doing this in the interest of fair play and justice," said Vice Gov. Pinol who said that while Villanueva is raw and has an awkward fighting style, his courage and determination inside the ring are admirable and he could be transformed later into a better boxer.

Villanueva, prior to the fight with Macas, was 14 - 0 with 14 knockouts. The bout against Macas was the first that went beyond 4 rounds for Villanueva.

GAB is expected to issue its ruling this week on the appeal of Vice Gov. Pinol for the result of the fight to be reversed to a technical knockout victory in favor of Villanueva.

Outraged Fans Cry Ask GAB to Punish Ref and Judges in Villanueva-Macas Fight

Shortly after the posting on youtube.com yesterday of the 5th round of the controversial fight between undefeated featherweight prospect Lorenzo Villanueva and junior lightweight Eric Macas, which was initially declared by the referee as a technical decision victory for Macas, outraged boxing fans immediately called for the investigation and imposition of sanctions against the officials involved in the May 23 fight in Ozamis City.

"Damn, the ref and the judges are blind," said one blogger obviously referring to the slomo action of the controversial 5th round which showed the young and raw North Cotabato fighter Villanueva connecting with three clean punches to the face of Macas before referee Delbert Pelegrino stepped in to stop the fight and declared that the cut was caused by a headbutt.

Confounding the situation was the anomalous scoring of the judges at ringside who had Macas leading in their scorecards. One of the judges, Cyrusman Manatad, even had Macas leading 49-46 which meant that Villanueva won only one round of the five rounds scored. Under the rules, when the fight is stopped because of injuries to either fighter caused by a headbutt after the 3rd round, the scores are totalled and whoever leads will be declared the winner. However, if the fight is stopped because of injuries resulting from legal blows, the boxer who cannot continue loses the fight.

"Hometown decision," complained another blogger. Macas fights out of the Black Scorpion Stable of Lanao del Norte which is just across the bay from the venue of the fight, Ozamis City, and all the judges, including Manatad who is the son of an employee of Macas' manager, are from the area.

"Kaya hindi umaasenso ang Pilipino (boxers)," said a blogger while another said that it was obvious that the referee did not know his job.

Villanueva's manager, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, immediately protested the result of the fight shortly after Macas was declared winner and challenged the GAB panel to view the video recording of the bout.

Copies of the video recording of the fight have been sent to Commissioner Angel P. Bautista, officer in charge of the GAB, boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, the referee and the judges of the fight and the manager of Macas, Limuel Yap of Maranding, Lanao del Norte.

"I am doing this in the interest of fair play and justice," said Vice Gov. Pinol who said that while Villanueva is raw and has an awkward fighting style, his courage and determination inside the ring are admirable and he could be transformed later into a better boxer.

Villanueva, prior to the fight with Macas, was 14 - 0 with 14 knockouts. The bout against Macas was the first that went beyond 4 rounds for Villanueva.

GAB is expected to issue its ruling this week on the appeal of Vice Gov. Pinol for the result of the fight to be reversed to a technical knockout victory in favor of Villanueva.

GAB ASKED TO REVIEW CONTROVERSIAL OZAMIS FIGHT

Kidapawan City - North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol today formally asked the Games and Amusements Board to investigate the controversial fight between top featherweight prospect Lorenzo Villanueva of Midsayap, North Cotabato and Eric Macas of Lanao del Norte last May 23 in Ozamis City which ended in a technical decision victory for Macas.

In a letter to Commissioner Angel P. Bautista, Officer-In-Charge of the GAB, Vice Gov. Piñol who manages Villanueva said the fight scheduled for 10 rounds was clearly dominated by Villanueva, who as early as the first round inflicted a cut over the right eye of Macas.

In the fifth round, Macas suffered another cut below the right eye and the ring physician declared that Macas was not fit to continue. "To our surprise, referee Delbert Pelegrino declared that the cut was caused by a headbutt. Confounding the situation was the questionable scoring of the local judges who had Macas winning in two of the three scorecards," Vice Gov. Piñol said.

Vice Gov. Piñol, who was sitting in the TV panel doing the coverage of the fight for ABS-CBN, said he asked the technical director to immediately replay the action preceding the stoppage of the fight which showed that there was never a clash of heads and the cut was caused by a legitimate blow.

"I immediately declared publicly that I was protesting the decision and asked the GAB supervisor Vic Cabalog to review the tape but Cabalog ignored my request. Instead, he suggested that he will just talk to the parties to declare the fight a draw."

"Of course, that did not happen as the technical decision victory for Macas stood and was never changed," Vice Gov. Piñol said. Vice Gov. Piñol said he finds two valid grounds for the GAB to conduct an investigation into the actions of the ring officials and the GAB supervisor during the fight.

First is the questionable scoring of the fight in favour of Macas while it was clearly dominated by Villanueva. Added to this was the irregularity committed by Cabalog of including in the panel of judges Cyrusman Manatad, son of boxing referee Andres Manatad who is a known employee of Macas’s boxing manager, Bong Yap.

Second is the questionable call made by referee Pelegrino declaring that the cut was caused by a headbutt when there was not enough evidence to support it.

Vice Gov. Piñol said he will submit to the GAB a copy of the videotape of the fight which will show not only the proof that there was no headbutt prior to the stoppage of the fight but also the irregular judging of the bout which highly favored local boy Macas.

“Villanueva is one of our top prospects in the featherweight division with a record of 14 wins and 14 knockouts prior to the fight with Macas. For him to lose through cheating is highly unacceptable to me,” he said.

Vice Gov. Piñol also informed Commisioner Bautista that his lawyer is now preparing administrative and criminal charges against GAB supervisor Vic Cabalog for grave misconduct and dereliction of duty.