CONGO PUG BEATS PINOY MERCA FOR VACANT PBF JR. LIGHTWEIGHT

FILIPINO Jovie Merca has lost in his quest for vacant Philippine Boxing Federation junior lightweight title against Congo’s Jesus Muzaka via ten round unanimous decision over the weekend at the Integrated Transport Terminal, Hotel Conference and Business Center Grounds in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

It was a dominant performance by Muzaka, whose birth name is Kibunde Kakonge, is from the Congo, a country in the heart of Africa, who easily managed to neutralize Butuan’s pride Merca height and reach advantage and mauled his way to victory. The scorecards read – 98-92, 97-94 and 98-92.

Muzaka dubbed as The Black Tiger in the boxing world fights out of Thailand under Naris Singwangcha but has been training in Rex “Wakee” Salud’s gym in Cebu for this bout.

The 30-year-old Muzaka (17 W (KO -L also beat Rey Labao for the WBO Asia-Pacific superfeatherweight title in Naga City last year and moved up to lightweight but lost to Czar Amonsot in a fight held at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

Muzaka actually was one the cornermen for Thai boxers Thittichon Singwancha and Pet Twin Gym when they got knocked out by ALA Boys James Bacon and Larry Canillas respectively during the January 2010 fight card held at the Waterfront Hotel. He was even seen watching a fight card in Talisay City last month.

In the co-main event, Jayson Egera of Siaton, Negros Oriental survived a fourth round knockdown to win the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation Junior Featherweight title over Gedion Amba of Cebu City via unanimous decision over ten rounds. The scorecards read – 79-72,78-73 and 79-72.

Egera is a former WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion. He fought three times in Cebu last year. He lost his title to Jundy Maraon by third round knockout February 2009 at the Cebu Coliseum then won against Petch Kokietgym of Thailand by split decision in May only to lose in their rematch two months later also by split decision in Naga City.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.