March 29, 2024

Three of four Highland Boxing Gym’s fighters who saw action in a two-week period were victorious against their opponents with Jayr Raquinel winning the vacant World Boxing Organization-Inter Continental super flyweight world belt in London.

The 25-year-old Raquinel landed two consecutive straight left hands that floored previously unbeaten South Africa junior bantamweight champion Landi Ngxeke in round two at the International Convention Centre in East London on Oct. 23.

CHAMP AGAIN — Highland Boxing Gym’s Jayr Raquinel presented the World Boxing Organization-Intercontinental super flyweight belt he won against previously unbeaten Landi Ngxeke in East London on Oct. 23. With him is World Boxing Association Asia super bantamweight champion Carl Jammes Martin. — CJM Facebook photo

Referee Lulama Mtya gave Ngxeke a chance to continue with the fight, but he eventually prevented the Filipino boxer from inflicting further damage to his foreign opponent.

Raquinel, who regularly trains in La Trinidad, Benguet and Highland Boxing’s gym extension in Manila, improved his record to 13 wins, two draws, and one loss.

Ngxeke’s record dropped to nine wins, one draw, and one loss.

Prior to his fight against Raquinel, he was rated number eight by the World Boxing Council at 115 pounds

Highland Boxing Gym manager Brico Santig credited the preparation of Raquinel, whom he said had been in training camp for four months in  Manila with coach Alan Alegria. 

A week earlier, MJ Oduna and debuting Vincent Jorda won their respective fights via stoppage.

Oduna has scored a first round knockout against Orlandino Sinaloba in the six-round undercard of the WBO Oriental light flyweight championship match between Arvin Magramo and Jonathan Refugio.

Oduna, who floored his opponent with a solid right barely a minute into the match, came back after more than two years of hiatus from the ring.

A body shot on Sinaloba’s left side saw him on his face on the floor writhing in pain,  as the referee counted him out.

With the win, Oduna improved to five wins, one loss, and two draws.

Jorda, on the other hand, made short works of the more seasoned Rosendo Autida in his first professional fight.

It was a Jorda show in his short time in the ring, knocking down his opponent barely a minute in the fight. Another flurry of unanswered shots a minute later saw the referee stopping the fight giving the one-time vegetable porter during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown his first victory.

Meanwhile, Carlo Magali, the reigning Philippine Games and Amusement Board super featherweight champion, failed in his bid to capture the World Boxing Association Asia super featherweight belt from reigning champion Charly Suarez in their match at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañque City on Oct. 23.

Suarez, holder of three Southeast Asian Games gold medals and a bronze medal, as well as silver medal in the 2014 Asian Games, has dominated Magali to win via unanimous decision at the end of the 12-round championship bout. – Harley F. Palangchao