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Most would agree that its never
a good idea to engage in war
with someone called Rambo, but
never-the less that’s what Kenny
Demecillo did on Saturday night,
July 30, and he is still the
World Boxing Federation (WBF)
Asia Pacific Bantamweight
Champion.
Fighting at the Robinsons
Galleria Cebu Atrium in Cebu
City, Philippines, Demecillo,
11-3-2 (7), was awarded a close,
and some felt debatable, split
decision over fellow countryman
Rambo Lagos, 8-2-2 (5), to make
his second successful defense of
the title he won last September.
But at times it was a life and
death battle.
After sizing each other up in
the first two rounds, It was
toe-to-toe action the rest of
the way, with the defending
champion coming forward at all
times and Lagos appearing to be
the more skilful boxer and
counter-punching very well.
Demecillo tried to walk down his
challenger, throwing bombs to
head and body, but Lagos often
timed him well and landed his
own heavy shots. At times it
appeared that Lagos was close to
the edge, but he always came
back strong and in round eight
he turned the tables.
Boxing beautifully, Lagos
connected almost at will,
drawing blood from Demecillo´s
nose and eye-brow, and it looked
as if he was only one clean blow
away from victory. But a clearly
befuddled Demecillo grinded his
teeth, and showed great will and
determination to survive the
round.
With a large crowd on the edge
of their seats, Demicillo found
new strength in round nine and
again it was him coming forward,
trying to land a knockout-blow
on the fading Lagos. It was the
same in round ten, and while
Lagos had his moments it was
Demecillo finishing strongest.
After a scintillating encounter,
judges Arnie Najera and Edwin
Barrientos scored the fight
narrowly in favor of Demecillo,
96-94 and 96-95 respectively,
while judge Atty William Manus
had Lagos ahead by 96-94.
Referee in charge of the action
was Romar Kristoffer Embodo.
The Demecillo vs. Lagos WBF Asia
Pacific title fight headlined
the second installment of Omega
Pro Sports Internationals “Who´s
Next? Pro-Boxing Series”.
Televised in the Philippines by
GMA Network, admittance was free
to the public.
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