21-year-old Robert Onggocan (9-1, 5KOs) put on a masterful performance in his first title defense as the IBF World Youth flyweight champion, stopping Marjun Pantilgan (14-5) in the ninth round, Friday evening at the Calamba Sports Center in Laguna.
“Masarap sa pakiramdam [ang pagkapanalo ko] at magaan sa loob!” a thankful Onggocan told Tiebreaker Times after his victory. “Una sa lahat, nagpapasalamat ako kay coach Dino Olivetti at sa mga kapatid niya, sa buong Calamba, Laguna at Binan City po na sumuporta sa amin.”
The Biñan, Laguna-based southpaw, who claimed the title last January against Indonesian Iwan Zoda, showed his championship form right away as he smothered Pantilgan, landing multiple combinations in succession in the opening rounds of the fight..
The bout picked up in the third stanza, as Pantilgan started to pressure the champion to the corners and throwing his own power punches, but Onggocan fired back with several body shots of his own.
The Cebuano challenger tried to push the champion back to the corner again in the next round but again, Onggocan was able to move his way out of trouble and connected with another 1-2 punch connection.
Pantilgan’s best round came in the seventh as he landed a well-timed body shot that hurt Onggocan . It was short-lived as Onggocan recovered quickly and continued to weaken him with punches from different angles.
The beating eventually took a toll to Pantilgan at the end of round nine as he was unable to answer the bell, giving Onggocan the victory.
According to the champion, he had to dig deep in this fight knowing the kind of opponent he was facing, patterning his focus after boxing great Manny Pacquiao.
“Tingin ko po hindi na talaga niya kinaya dahil binatuhan ko po siya ng mga combinations sa baba at sa taas at nasaktan siya,” he furthered. “Hindi ko po inexpect na a-ayaw siya kasi malaki po siya sa akin at mahaba ang experience niya sa akin.
“Sa ensayo ko po talaga yan natutunan at nakakuha po ako ng konting inspiration kay Pacquiao — na suntok tapos aalis — kasi idol ko po siya.”
Asked what is next for him, Onggocan said that they will go back to training after celebrating this win, preparing for whatever challenges ahead.
“Kung ano ang ibibigay sa akin ng IBF o kay coach Dino; kung sino ang maghahamon, lalabanan ko. Di ko tatanggihan yun. Kasi pagkakataon ko yun. Ito lang ang buhay ko, sa boxing lang.”
In the co-main event, former national super featherweight champion Warren Manbuanag (11-7-2, 3KOs) dropped local favorite Venson Delopere (5-2-3) in the second round that paved the way for a 95-94, 96-93, 95-94 unanimous decision win.
Jimmy Borbon (6-5-3, 3KO) and and Bryan Macamay (9-8-2) put up a show for the fans in their lightweight encounter. In the end, Borbon emerged victorious via majority decision.
Olivetti Boxing Promotions: Bakbakan sa Calamba Results
June 23, 2017 – Calamba Sports Center, Calamba City, Laguna
Robert Onggocan def. Marjun Pantilgan (TKO, 9th)
Warren Manbuanag def. Venson Delopere (UD, 95-94, 96-93, 95-94)
March Rey Taday def. Vicente Bautista (UD, 97-93, 99-91, 97-93)
Jimmy Borbon def. Bryan Macamay (MD, 77-75, 77-75, 76-76)
Joseph Ambo def. Raymart Lumacad (TKO, 4th)
Aurelio Angel def. Ryan Medez (TKO, 1st)
Jino Rodrigo def. Giovanni Navarrette (KO, 2nd)
