
No less than Zamboanga City Mayor John M. Dalipe was in attendance to witness the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association 2024 Qualifying Meet in boxing unfold at Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, this city.
Mayor Dalipe who was instrumental in bringing back the regional sports event after 18 long years, was among those in attendance as two Zamboangueňo boxers dismantled their opponents via Referee Stop Contest.
Karl John B. Alabata, a Grade 9 student of Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat Memorial High School made short of his bout with left and right combinations to the face and body, proved too much against Grade 12’s Romelle Tecson of Dipolog City in the first round. Right after the bells rang, he went on full offensive, thus negating his opponent’s game plan which led to three standing eight counts. Alabata almost scored a knockdown late in the first round but was saved by the referee. Sensing Alabata’s opponent had no chance, Referee Bagalanon stopped the contest in the 2:55 of the first round for the Youth Boys 51 kgs category.
Not to be outdone, fellow Zamboangueňo boxer Alexander Gonzales Jr. also scored a Referee Stop Contest in the second round of the Youth Boys 51 kgs category versus Geo Narito of Zamboanga del Sur stable. Power punching was Gonzales’ main weapon, with his left and right punches had no answer to his opponent. With three standing eight counts also given to del Sur’s boxer, it was deemed right for the referee to stop the contest who offered no answer at all to the Pasonanca National High School boxer.
Mayor Dalipe personally congratulated the Zamboangueňo boxer after the bout, even taking a photo in the center stage of the ring. He was accompanied by Zamboanga City Sports Officer Dr. Cecil Atilano and Philippine Sports Commission Consultant Elbert “Bong” Atilano.