Zamboangueño Richard Pumicpic (18-7-2, 6KO) edged out Joe “Misako” Noynay (10-1-1, 3KO) to become the new WBC International Super Bantamweight champion with a eighth round technical decision victory in Elorde International Promotion’s Night of Champions 2 held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City, Wednesday evening.
Noynay, who is fighting for the vacant belt for the second time, utilized his length and speed advantage in landing quick punches against the smaller Pumicpic in the early-going of the match. Moreover, Misako was able to weave his way out of his opponent’s punches that frustrated his opponent.
Pumicpic, a former WBC Youth Silver titleholder, tried to close the distance in the third round by aggressively charging towards Noynay with body shots. It proved effective as Noynay buckled down but was able to throw counter shots – including a well-timed left uppercut in one of their exchanges.
The fourth stanza of the bout was a close-knit affair that saw the Zamboanga del Norte-native pressuring his opponent to the ropes. The reigning WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council titleholder though was able to get out of harm’s way and eventually landed his combinations on Pumicpic.
The action picked up in the latter rounds as both men trade hard leather but was momentarily stopped in the fifth after Pumicpic suffered inadvertent headbutt. Misako committed the same foul at the sixth round that resulted to a point deduction for him prior to the start of the seventh round.
The fight ultimately ended at the 1:08 mark of the eight round where both men clashed their heads anew that saw a visibly shaken Pumicpic. Ringside doctors decided the fight had to be stopped right then and there. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Pumicpic with a close 76-75×3 scoresheet.
After the fight, an emotional Pumicpic thanked everyone who supported his preparation for the title fight, adding that it was a conscious effort in training that helped him negate Noynay’s advantage – his speed and stamina by targeting his body to slow him down.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa akin lalong lalo na po sa Panginoong Diyos na lagi pong nakatingin sakin at nakasubaybay,” a teary eyed Pumicpic said after the fight. “Sa ensayo po ginagawa na laging patamaan siya sa body, yung upper body tsaka yung hook. “
“Kaso sablay po yung kanang hook ko kaya malimit po na body nalang ang pinapatama ko nang sa gayon ay mapahina ko ang stamina niya.”
Another Filipino victory capped of the night as Jeffrey Francisco claimed the WBC EPBC bantamweight title with a 116-111, 117-110, and 113-114 split decision win over Japanese pugilist Yusuke Suzuki.
The prodigy of Johnny Elorde dominated most of their twelve round fight, highlighted by a knockdown that sent Suzuki outside the ring. But the boxer out of Tokyo, Japan managed to recover and put up a fight against Francisco, almost giving a scare in the final round to win the vacant crown.
Elorde International Production’s Night of Champions 2
May 4, 2016 – SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Pasay City
Vacant WBC International Super Bantamweight Championship: Richard Pumicpic def. Joe Noynay via 7th round TD (76-75×3) to win the championship
Vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council Bantamweight Championship: Jeffrey Francisco def. Yusuke Suzuki via SD (116-111, 117-110, 113-114) to win the championship
Featherweight bout: Allan Vallespin def. Jomar Borbon via RTD1
Super Bantamweight bout: Yuta Nakagawa def. Jonathan Ligas via MD (59-55×2, 57-57)
Super Flyweight bout: Renan Trongco def. Ricky Oyan via TKO1
Featherweight bout: Dave Penalosa def. Menard Zaragosa via KO4
Featherweight bout: Silvester Lopez def. Jeson Berwela via UD (60-54×2, 58-56)
Light Flyweight bout: Lenjun Retuerto def. Jiro Saonoy via RTD2
