By Adrian Stewart Co

Bacolodnon Roy Sumugat and Ilonggo Arnel Baconaje scored separate stoppage victories on Saturday, May 1, at the Urdaneta Cultural Sports Complex in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. 

The Bacolod City-native Sumugat hardly broke a sweat following his first round stoppage victory over Eljohn Evangelista.

Sumugat was aggressive since the opening bell as he wobbled Evangelista with his combination hits that led the referee to put an end to the match since the latter could not answer to the Bacolodnon’s attacks.

Following the easy win, Sumugat improved his boxing record to 11-11-1 while connecting his fifth stoppage win, while Evangelista saw his record slumped to 4-4-0.

The San Rafael, Iloilo-native Baconaje, on the other hand, had a triumphant ring return after scoring a second round technical knockout victory over fellow Filipino Jay Lloyd Quidlat.

This was the 27-year-old Baconaje’s first fight in nearly two years or since suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Chinese fighter Lingjie Xia on November 2019.

Baconaje set the tone early in the game as he pummeled Quidlat with vicious hits to the body and head until the referee decided to halt the non-title bout midway in the second round.

Following his convincing win, the Ilonggo boxer is hoping to make a case for title matches later this year. Baconaje was a former holder of WBC Asia Boxing Council silver featherweight belt and PBF super bantamweight diadem.

With the victory, Baconaje increased his boxing record to 12-4-0 win-loss-draw while also claiming his 10th stoppage victory, while Quidlat dropped his slate to 4-2-2.

The boxing card was presented by Cucuy Elorde of UKC Pro Boxing Edition and Robert Hill of the VSP Boxing with Edmond Dellosa serving as the event’s matchmaker./ASC, WDJ