Silvano dismantles Cabilla in four to snatch PBF title

CEBU, Philippines - Virgilio ‘Maton’ Silvano (12-2, 7KOs) of Omega Boxing Gym scored a methodical fourth round TKO victory over Charlie ‘Steelbar’ Cabilla (12-11, 2KOs) of Bukidnon to capture the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) light flyweight title in the main event of the ‘Fight Fury 1” fight card last Sunday night at the J Centre Mall convention hall along A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City.

The pride of Dalaguete, Cebu used his accurate and power punches to easily chop down Cabilla, who went down the canvas each of the four rounds.

Silvano decked Cabilla with a crushing hook to the jaw in the opening session. A powerful body shot sent Cabilla down on both knees anew in the second round. At this point, Silvano sustained a cut on his forehead due to accidental clash of heads.

Cabilla tried to parry Silvano's attack with quick jabs in the third, but it proved ineffective. In turn, the hapless Mindanao warrior was at the receiving end of another solid head shot by Silvano, dropping him for the third time.

The end came in the fourth frame when Silvano landed a bone-crushing right hook that sent Cabilla into the dreamland for good. So devastating the hit was that referee Ben Necesario swiftly stopped the bout at the 2:55 mark of round four.

In the supporting main event of the slambang show bankrolled by International Pharmaceutical, Inc. (IPI) and Thai boxing patron Naris Singwangcha, Silvano’s stablemate Jason Canoy destroyed Ryan Bongcawil in 2:59 of the ninth round.

In the undercards, Jack ‘Golden Boy’ Tepora won by unanimous decision against JR Salvador, Jalil Payao came up with a sixth round TKO of Rommel Banquirego, Charlie Pucdol stopped Jerome Casas in the third round, while Jordan Catubay and Sherwin Caday fought to a majority draw over six heats. - THE FREEMAN