Sanman’s Moralde picks Sabalde apart to bag WBF crown in Brawl at the Mall fight card
John Vincent Moralde (right) and Anthony Sabalde slug it out in the main event of the Brawl at the Mall: Glory fight card last Saturday at the Gaisano Mall Atrium in General Santos City. (SANMAN PROMOTIONS)
General Santos City— A tactical John Vincent “Mulawin” Moralde kept his immaculate slate intact and stayed on course for a world-title shot as he scored a hard-earned unanimous decision win over a tough Anthony Sabalde in the main event of the Brawl at the Mall: Glory last Saturday at the packed Gaisano Mall Atrium here.
All three judges scored the fight at 98-92 for Moralde, who annexed the WBF International featherweight crown with his 15th straight win. The 21-year-old Sanman Boxing Stable stalwart has seven knockout wins under his belt.
Smattering boos rained down on Moralde after refusing to engage against the charging Sabalde early on.
“He (Moralde) is really a slow starter. He is very technical. But I like the way he fought and it was a good performance,” said Jim Claude “JC” Manangquil, Chief Executive Officer of the General Santos City-based Sanman Promotions.
Moralde admitted he had trouble dealing with Sabalde in the early going before turning the fight around starting round six.
“I had problems with his hooks. But I just stuck to the game plan, worked on my jabs, moved in and out,” said Moralde.
After a strong showing in the early rounds, Sabalde slowed down when his right eye started to swell.
Ring physician checked on the hematoma after the seventh round but Rex Wakee Salud Boxing Gym stalwart still opted to continue fighting.
“It was his jabs that caused this,” said Sabalde, pointing to his right eye that was almost shut. “I can take his power but he gave me problems with his speed and footwork,” said Sabalde, who tasted his fifth defeat in 15 fights.
A much-needed training in the United States awaits Moralde.
“We will send him to Miami to train. I think he should be in at least two more fights before he could vie for a world title,” said Manangquil.
SWEEP
Moralde’s victory capped a strong showing by the six Sanman boxers, who scored a clean sweep.
In the main undercard, Romero Duno scored a technical knockout win over Jason Egera and snatched the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) super-featherweight crown.
Ronie Tanallon pulled off a unanimous win over Rodel Tejares, netting him the PBF minimumweight title.
Reymart Gaballo scored a first-round knockout win over Bryan Samson, while Jayson Daming went home with a third-round TKO win over Sadam Barambangan.
Also winning for Sanman was Jayson Mama, who bagged a second-round TKO victory over Ramil Padayhag. Sajulga Stable’s Robert Paradero, on the other hand, stopped Jon-jon Santos in the 2:43 of the first round.