Roberto Gonzales outlasted Arjan Canillas to emerge as the new Games and Amusement Board (GAB) lightweight champion during Save by the Bell Boxing Promotion’s Laban Pinoy card, held Saturday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
In a bout pitting the country’s #1 and #2 ranked boxers in the 135-pound division, Roberto Gonzales and Arjan Canillas provided the heavy artillery in a battle for the national championship.
The two warriors immediately exchanged leather, with Gonzales focusing on Canillas’ body. The Cebuano returned the favor by landing combinations, one of which caught the “Bad Boy of Batangas” off-guard and almost dropped him. The knockdown was only held off by the ropes, which saved the Batangueño.
The action continued in the second frame. with the Touch Gloves-standout firing combinations, although Canillas easily eluded them. Canillas was seen smiling during the exchanges. However, Canillas was on the receiving end of a well-timed hook to end the round.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N8g_MPqX04
Gonzales started to gain slight advantage in the third round with his stiff jabs until Canillas tagged him with a straight right.
In the succeeding rounds, Gonzles capitalized on Arjan’s already swollen right eye – pounding it at every opportunity. It did not deter Canillas from engaging and continuing with his offense to turn the fight into a slugfest. Referee Silvestre Abainza stopped the fight at the 0:57 mark as advised by the ringside physicians, as the swelling had grown too much. As a result, Gonzales was declared the winner via technical knockout to clinch the vacant belt.
In the co-main event, Jimmy Paypa dethroned Bernabe Concepcion to become the new WBO Oriental Super Bantamweight titleholder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PddyQbS_1wc
The 22-year-old Paypa knocked down the more experienced Concepcion early in the first round with a perfectly-timed overhand right that sent the latter to the canvas. Bernabe managed to stand up before the eight count despite being out of his senses. Moreover, he was able to finish the fight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfgjd6M6yRc
However, the knockdown clearly had affected Concepcion in the latter rounds.  He was visibly slower afterwards while losing his timing at the same time. “Popeye” Paypa, who had controlled majority of the fight, soundly defeated his opponent by a split decision, 114-113, 112-115, 116-111.
Save by the Bell Promoter Elmer Anuran expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the fights, saying, “this was a great night for Filipino boxing. Nakita naman natin yung performance ng bawat boksingero – from Bernabe Concepcion – Jimmy Paypa, Roberto Gonzales and Arjan Canillas, ika nga sulit ang pagod at punta ng mga manunuod.”
Save by the Bell: Laban Pinoy results
March 12, 2016 – Ynares Sports Complex, Pasig City
Games and Amusement Board Lightweight championship: Roberto Gonzales def. Arjan Canillas (TKO, 7th)
For the WBO Oriental Super Bantamweight championhip: Jimmy Paypa def. Bernabe Concepcion (SD)
Gilbert Donasales def. Bryan Macamay (KO, 3rd)
Jeric Potaso def. Rex Lagane (KO, 2nd)
Ronald Alapormina def. Jay-Ar Lacsina (UD)
Jimboy Rosales def. Marjun Tarazona (TKO, 1st)
Oliver Gregorio and JC Fransisco ended in a draw (Split Draw)
Roman Canto and Junjie Lauza ended in a draw (Split Draw)
Jovani Casin and Glenn Calacar ended in a draw (Split Draw)
Oliver Gregorio and JC Fransisco ended in a draw (Technical Majority Draw)*
*Doctors advised to stop the fight due to a swollen left eye of Fransisco
– The fight between Carlos Caesar Peñalosa and Roga Libres was scrapped due to Peñalosa not being cleared to fight by GAB within the 30-day rest period –
