“ONE Punch Man” Criztian Pitt Laurente and former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao shared top billing last Sunday night as the popular boxing program “Blow by Blow” made a rousing comeback in the local pro ring scene at the packed Mandaluyong City College gym.
While Pacquiao, who revived the TV boxing show that became his platform in his rise to global sports prominence, virtually hogged the limelight the entire night as the fights went on, Laurente, 22, had the last say with his impressive performance in the ring.
In just 45 seconds and a crushing right hook that sent rival JR Magboo to dreamland, Laurente captured the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation super featherweight crown with a first-round knockout win to raise his spotless record to 11 wins, Magboo being his seventh knockout victim.
Magboo, 32, absorbed his eight loss — his fifth in a row — against 18 wins and two draws.
An impressed Mandaluyong Mayor Ben Abalos, an avid boxing fan who enthusiastically backed Pacquiao having the “Blow by Blow” revival in the city, vowed that he would arrange a fight against a top Korean fighter for the newly-minted champ from General Santos City, Pacquiao’s hometown.
In the co-main event, Enrique Magsalin beat Michael Mendoza by unanimous decision but did not gain the PBF super flyweight title because he failed to meet the 115-pound weight limit during the official weigh-in.
Pacquiao, who gamely signed autographs for fans, was visibly pleased by the turnout and how the matches, arranged by friend and former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa, transpired.
“Happy at excited ako na mapagpatuloy ang ‘Blow by Blow na matagal na nawala at kung saan ako sumikat biliang boksingero. Maraming chance ang maibibigay natin sa ating mga boksingero. Boxing is still the best,” said the Pinoy ring icon.
“Ito’y isang long-term program. Dito ako sumikat at dapat suportahan para makahanap muli ng boksingero na maaring makasunod sa yapak natin sa susunod na panahon,” he added.
