Edward “El Heneral” Heno (10-0-4, 4KO) claimed the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation’s 108-pound belt with a ninth round KO win of Cris Ganoza, Jr. (12-1, 6KO) at the Makati Cinema Square, Makati City, Sunday night.
In a battle of two previously-undefeated light flyweights, Heno asserted his will from the opening bell. The Baguio City-native threw his opponent off guard with his power punches, sending the 22-year-old southpaw to the ropes.
Ganoza returned the favor in the second round with a series of combinations which led to a cut within the eyelid of Heno. El Heneral shrugged it off and continued with his offense, landing a sweeping right hook that sent his opponent back to the ropes once again.
In the succeeding rounds, Heno continued to dominate the fight, but Ganoza managed to survive the onslaught. However, the punishment was too much for Ganoza late in the ninth round when he was knocked down after an uppercut from Heno to end the fight at the 1:10 mark.
The victory gave Heno his first boxing title and remained unbeaten.
In the co-main event, Richard Pumicpic (19-8-2) managed to score a majority decision win over ALA Boxing’s Roli Gasca (23-8-1).
Both men fought tooth-and-nail during their scheduled ten-round fight. The young Gasca utilized his distance and slick combinations against his elder opponent while Pumicpic charged after every opening he saw.
In the end, it two of three judges scored in favor of “The Beast”, 96-94, 96-94, and 95-95.
