First pro boxing event since sports lockdown gets high mark from GAB

CEBU, Philippines —  The “Kumbati 5” boxing promotion staged behind closed doors by Omega Pro Sports International last Wednesday afternoon at the sprawling IPI Sports and Recreational Sports Complex in Mandaue City was highly successful and it got passing grade from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

The audience-free fightcard was the first pro sports event in the country since the lockdown in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Everything went well. We’re only about 40 inside the venue including the boxers, trainers, ring officials and the IPI working team,” said GAB supervisor Rolando Mendoza. “There’s a little delay in the bouts because the ring has to be disinfected and the referee needs to change uniform every fight.”

“All safety measures and health protocols were properly observed. About the venue (IPI complex), it was nice and very exclusive complete with sanitizers and security guards among others. It’s a very conducive place for the new normal in boxing promotions,” Mendoza added.

Meanwhile, WBC No.10 light flyweight contender Mark “Thunder” Vicelles of the Omega Gym kept his undefeated record intact after he knocked out Junuel Lacar of Surigao del Sur at the 1:47 mark of the fourth round.

Vicelles now holds a 12-0-1 record with 6KOs while Lacar dropped to 8-6-3 with 6KOs.

Vicelles’ stablemate Carlo Bacaro also stayed unbeaten after forcing Mandaue City’s Jeffrey Stella to throw in the towel before the start of the fourth round. It was Bacaro’s sixth straight win packed with 5KOs.

Featherweight prospect Penitente “Peter Pan” Apolinar (12-1, 8KOs) and light flyweight “Bomber” Christian Araneta (18-1, 14KOs) of Borbon, Cebu completed Omega’s clean sweep with unanimous decision victories over Jetro “Silent Operator” Pabustan and Richard Rosales, respectively.