Suico KO's Samejima to Retain OPBF Title

Last weekend, Pinoy boxing prospect, Randy Suico retained his OPBF lightweight title by knocking out mandatory challenger Koji Samejima of Japan in the eighth round. The OPBF lightweight championship bout was the main attraction of the “Battle for Supremacy” promotion that was held at the sprawling Mall of Asia open car park. This boxing event was promoted by Rex “Wakee” Salud in cooperation with MP Promotions of Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.

A brutal left hook from Suico decked Samejima in the sixth round. In the eight round, the Japanese challenger was also nailed by another left hook that was followed by a vicious right straight that sent him flat on his back. It was clear to international referee Bruce McTavish that the Japanese was out cold and there was no need for a count.

In the other bouts, Philippine boxing prospect Jimrex Jaca retained his WBO super featherweight title over Japan’s Ryu Miyagi with a controversial technical draw. The fight was halted in the second round when the ring physician ruled that Jaca couldn’t continue because of two nasty cuts. However, the technical draw decision became controversial when the replays suggested that the second cut was caused by a punch.

This ending disappointed the Pinoy boxing fans as it was an action-packed bout. A perfect straight right from Miyagi dropped Jaca in the opening round. The challenger followed up the knock down with a flurry of punches which forced the referee to give Jaca a standing eight count. However, the Filipino boxing prospect gained control of the fight by connecting with a perfect left that decked the Japanese challenger. The referee stopped the action when he detected the cuts on Jaca's face which led to the end of the exciting bout.

I hope that the results of these bouts will help propel these fine Philippine boxing prospects to world title fights. Both of them failed in their first world title bids but if given a second chance, they will surely do their best to bring world titles back to the Philippines.