CEBU-based boxers had contrasting fates in their crucial fights abroad over the weekend.
Omega Boxing Gym’s Kenny “Big Heart” Demecillo, Rex Wakee Salud’s (RWS) Gym’s Neil John Tabanao both scored stunning knockout victories against their foreign foes in Russia and Australia, respectively.
But Kenny’s younger brother, Carlo Demecillo, lost via a controversial split decision against Ruben Manakane in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Demecillo, 25, a native of Iligan City who is one of Omega Boxing Gym’s top boxers stunned the Russian boxing scene when he knocked out erstwhile unbeaten Vyacheslav Mirzaev in the fourth round of their 10-round non-title duel held in Anapa, Russia.
Demecillo improved his record to 14 wins, with eight knockouts, four defeats and two draws. Mirzaev suffered his first loss in 11 fights.
Omega Boxing Gym earned its second victory from its boxer in a span of one week after Jessie Cris “Jimdomar” Rosales wrested the World Boxing Association (WBA) Oceania featherweight title by knocking out Ibrahim Balla in the second round in Australia.
But Kenny’s younger brother, 21-year old Carlo of Big Yellow Boxing Gym, was allegedly robbed of a victory against Ruben Manakane for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia super bantamweight title.
According to Demecillo’s trainer Christopher “Pingping” Tepora, his ward was able to floor Manakane in the fight and believes that Carlo won each round of the 12-round slugfest.