Visiting Filipino fighters did not disappoint their compatriots after winning all their bouts in the Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai, in front of a sell-out crowd at the Dubai World Trade Centre last night.
WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight champion Genesis ‘Azukal’ Servania successfully defended his title against Mexican Jose ‘Matador’ Cabrera via a technical knockout in the 10th round while ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva was crowned as the new IBF Junior Bantamweight champion after he won via split decision over Nicaraguan Henry ‘El Crespo’ Maldonado.
Former world champion Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista also won a 10-round non-title bout over Mexican Juan Jose ‘Piquet’ Martinez via technical majority decision after referee Bruce Mctavish stopped the fight in the seventh round due to deep cuts on Bautista’s brows.
On the undercard fights, Dubai-based Filipino fighter Larry Abarra scored a 40-36 unanimous victory over Thailand’s Chatpayak Nuengkawkawhok while Syrian Mohammad Akram stopped Kong Windy Sports via technical knock out in round two; and Deo Kizito of Uganda defeated Anushar Abdullaev of Uzbekistan via unanimous decision.
Servania, who is ranked No3 in the world, showed his dominance in the opening rounds landing solid punches on Cabrera body and chin.
His jabs and power punches sent Cabrera to the canvas in the second round.
Servania put on a clinical performance in the fourth round but his opponent did not go down, occasionally taunting him to lose his concentration. Servania suffered leg cramps in the fifth round, slowing him down but he still landed solid punches on Cabrera’s body.
Cabrera mustered some strength in the sixth round and outworked the Filipino champion until the eighth round but Servania came out with an onslaught in the ninth and threw hard jabs to put his opponent against the ropes.
Both fighters exchanged solid punches in the closing seconds of the ninth and a deep cut on Cabrera’s lower left eye forced him to discontinue the fight and Servania was awarded a TKO victory.
Servania, who is now one step away from a world championship title fight, said Cabrera was not an easy opponent.
“Mexican fighters are really durable inside the ring; they will not easily go down,” Servania said. “I was in control in the first four rounds but I suffered leg cramps in the fifth; but I did not give up and continued to fight.”
Servania, who upped his record to 25 wins with no loss, appreciated the huge support from his Filipino fans and said he is ready to claim a world title.
Meanwhile, newly crowned IBF Jr. Bantamweight champion Villanueva recovered from an early setback and survived a 117-110, 114- 113, and 116-113 split decision over Maldonado.
