Gabunilas destroys Indon in six, grabs WBO AsPac Youth crown

CEBU, Philippines — ARQ Stable stalwart John Paul “Angas ng Cebu” Gabunilas delivered a near-perfect boxing clinic he punctuated with a sixth-round stoppage of Wandi Priman Hulu of Indonesia to claim the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth light flyweight title in the main event of “Engkwentro 9” presented by ARQ Sports Promotions last Friday, March 24, at the Talisay City Sports Complex.

After a splendid start, the 22-year-old Gabunilas started to turn Hulu into a human punching bag in the second round, peppering the hapless Indon visitor with an assortment of solid punches to the head and body to the delight of his fans.

As Gabunilas pressed on his relentless attack, it was only a matter of time as to when Hulu will go down.

And it came in round six, when Gabunilas pinned Hulu against the ropes and ferociously battered him with power blows on all angles.

Visibly dazed and nowhere to go, Hulu couldn’t find an answer to Gabunilas’ heavy bombardments, forcing referee Rey Caitom to wisely wave off the bout to preven the Indon from further damage. The official time was 2:43 of round six.

“Pagka-igo ni Hulu og sunod-sunod nga mga suntok, wala na gyud mi-response. Luoy gyud kay groggy na kaayo mao to ako gi-stop to protect the boxer,” said Caitom in justifying his decision.

Gabunilas, who snared his second regional crown after the OPBF Youth 108-pound belt, improved his record to 10-1 now spiked with 7KOs.

“Gahi sab akong kontra makita nato sa iyang lihok ug lawas. Prepared gyud siya nga midayo dire,” said Gabunilas, who is now residing in Perrelos, Carcar City.

“Pero ako lang gyud gipakita sa dula ang among gi-praktisan ug gitudlo sa akoang mga coaches sa training mao nindot ang resulta. Nagpasalamat ko una sa Ginoo nga gihatag niya nako ni nga kadaogan ug safety ra mi sa ako kontra,” added the WBC ranked No.27 Gabunilas.

In the supporting bouts, Gabunilas’ ARQ stablemates Ramil Macado, Jr. (6-0, 2KOs) and Berland Robles (8-0, 3KOs) kept their unbeaten records intact after winning by unanimous decision against Cagayan de Oro City’s Francis Jay Diaz and Ariston Aton, respectively.

Angelus Pilapil, on the other hand, made an impression in his pro debut with ARQ, needing only 87 seconds to knock out Dee Jay Galleposo of Zamboanga City.

In the other results, Marco Pumar of Prime Stag Gym beat Anthony Galigao of Bohol by unanimous verdict, while Ronvex Capuloy of Big Yellow Gym won by KO against Junriel Jimenez of Cebu City.