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Pinoy boxer Trongco survives tough test from Japanese foe to defend WBC title



Two-time world title challenger Renan Trongco has successfully defended his WBC international flyweight title against the gritty Hayato Yamaguchi of Japan at the Mall of Asia Music Hall, Saturday.

The win marked Trongco's fourth consecutive victory since suffering a unanimous decision defeat in the hands of Hekie Budler last year.

The fight lived up to promoter Bebot Elorde's promise of a good fight after both warriors traded hard shots for twelve rounds.

Yamaguchi was off to a quick start in round one. The Japanese looked to be in great shape and confident, throwing shots from both hands to the head and body.

It was not until round two that Trongco caught Yamaguchi's attention. A hard left straight to the mid-section by the left-handed Trongco wobbled the challenger.

Yamaguchi was on the attack in rounds three and four while Trongco from time to time, would lean on the ropes looking to land a left straight counter.

It was a back and forth affair in round 5 until Trongco landed a hard left uppercut to the body that sent Yamaguchi on a retreat.

Yamaguchi was seen landing his right hand at will from rounds 6 to 8. In round 9, a cut was opened on top of Yamaguchi's left eye from a Trongco right hand.

Trongco was wobbled from a series of hard combinations in round 10. Trongco displayed his heart by refusing to go down and even landed big shots from both hands before the round ended.

Yamaguchi fought like he wanted the belt more than anything in the world in rounds 11 and 12, tirelessly stalking Trongco as he fought with much urgency.

Trongco stayed on his feet and bagged a majority decision win after twelve hard-fought rounds. The scores were 114-114, 116-112 and 117-112.

The victory improved Trongco's record to 16-4 with 9 knockouts while Yamaguchi fell to 12-5-1 with 2 knockouts.

The 19-year-old Joe Misako (6-0, 1KO) of the Misako Boxing stable of Bogo, Cebu impressed on the undercard when he took on Gensan native Junjie Lauza (4-12-1, 1KO).

Misako packed power from both hands, throwing a variety of combinations to the head and body.

A left uppercut to the stomach folded Lauza, sending him to the canvass for a 10-count. The official time was 1:04 of the first round.

Catch the fight telecast on GMA News TV on October 5, at 11:00 AM. - RAF, GMA News
Tags: renantrongco
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