Eustaquio outpoints Akhmetov to win ONE interim flyweight title

MANILA, Philipines — Like a man on a mission, Geje Eustaquio took the grudge match against Kairat Akhmetov to the distance.

And after five rounds, with three judges backing him unanimously, Eustaquio will go home with the interim flyweight belt around his waist before a partisan crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Eustaquio asserted himself early on, controling the match for the first two rounds via striking. Akhmetov, who scored a split decision win in their first meeting, tried to stay afloat with submission bids.

Come fifth round, the Kazakh tried to give the hometown hero a dose of his medicine through punches and kicks. His shots were able to find its target but it was all little too late.

"This belt is not mine, but it’s ours,” Team Lakay’s Eustaquio said shortly after the decision was announced.

"To my family whose had my back since day one, Mark Sangiao and Team Lakay, who never doubted me that I’d stand like this tonight — this is not mine, but ours,” the 28-year-old fighter said.

Earlier,  Jomary Torres slammed Eastaquio stablemate April Osenio for a TKO win in the first round.

Edward Kelly also of Team Lakay, scored a first round win over Cambodian Meas Meu, but his older brother Eric wasn’t as lucky as he submitted to Brazilian Rafael Nunes in the second round.

Joshua Pacio, once a title challenger, reignited his bid for a return to strawweight contender status with a convincing opening-roiund win over Lan Ming Qian of China.