Tabanao loses WBO belt to African champ

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu-based Davaoeño boxer Neil John Tabanao of RWS Stable lost his WBO Oriental featherweight title after bowing to the undefeated African champion Isaac Dogboe by unanimous decision in their unification bout on Friday night (Saturday morning Philippine time) at the Police Officer’s Social and Fitness Centre in Accra, Ghana.

Aside from unifying the WBO Oriental and Africa titles, Dogboe also snared the previously vacant WBC Youth 126-pound crown.

"It was a close battle that could have gone either way. They the African has an advantage fighting in his hometown, we lost fair and square," said Tabanao's trainer Brix Flores.

Thus, Tabanao's reign as WBO regional champion lasted for only two months. He won the WBO Oriental belt with a third round knockout of Ibrahim Balla last June 11 at the Bendigo Stadium in Victoria, Australia.

Tabanao suffered his only second second in 15 fights spiked with 9KOs, while Dogboe, a former Olympian, stretched his unbeaten streak to 15-0 with 9KOs. (FREEMAN)