Boxing has successfully planted its roots in the Municipality of Bayambang after the very first Kamao ng Bayambangueño event in partnership with the ML Elorde Fitness Center on March 30, Thursday, at the Balon Bayambang Events Center.

With the culmination of the said event, it formally started a boxing legacy in the municipality with over 50 boxers from all over the nation participating which resulted in 26 bouts overall. 11 of these matches were for amateurs, while 15 were competed in by professional boxers.

“We decided to start this event to promote boxing in different areas here in the Philippines. We really came here (in Bayambang) for people to recognize boxing as a sport,” said Lyn Rambac, a representative of ML Elorde Fitness Center.

“It feels overwhelming and happy at the same time especially that the outcome of the event is great since this is the first time that we’ll be holding this in Bayambang,” she added.

Reigning Philippine Flyweight champion Bienvenido Ligas proved that he is the rightful heir to the throne, as he defended his title against the victory-starving Genisis Libranza with a unanimous decision of 119-109, 116-112, 116-112 in their 12-round clash in the tourney.

Roy “The Hammer” Sumugat almost surrendered the Lightweight title belt over the taller Richard Bulacan who shocked him with a straight jab to the head in the second round. He eventually regained his momentum as he cornered his enemy with a combination of uppercuts and hooks leading into a title triumph.

The professional division was ruled over by Jeven Villacete (UD), Ernie Samoyag (TKO), Henry Lumanan (UD), John Vincent Lauriaga and Christian Legare (Draw), Roderith Ballesteros (MD), Harry Omac (MD), Jonathan Francisco (KO), Clarence Breboneria (TKO), Fernando Tagpuno (TKO), Enrique Magsalin (MD), Gary Tamayo (TKO), and Jonniel Laurente (UD).

Meanwhile, the boxers who etched their first mark in the sport were James Carlo Camacho, Alvin Estaquio, Wesley Alcantara, Nerix Dulay, John Andrew Boquiren, Jay-M Domingo, John Michael Soriano, Jemark Resuelo Lopez, Jeremy Culaba, and Rico Nelmida.

The amateur division winners received trophies and medals to symbolize their win. On the other hand, the professional boxers claimed their new title after their respective bouts.

(Photo credits: Daniel Louise Perez, SVCBI; Xerxesh Gloria, Jayvee M. Baltazar, LGU-PIO)