By Carlos Costa

MANILA, Philippines   —   Sagawa dethrones Toyogon.     Relentless Japanese warrior Ryo Sagawa, 25, overcame to a slow start to score an exciting unanimous decision victory over brave Filipino Al Toyogon, claiming the WBC Asia Silver Super Featherweight belt today Saturday (May 4) at the Elorde Complex in Parañaque, Metro Manila, live on ESPN5 Philippines.

The Filipino Al Toyogon (10-3-1, 6 KO’s) clearly controlled actions during the first third of the rumble, but once passed the 5th chapter barrier, it was the taller Nippon samurai from Tokyo the one dictating the pace of the war in the hard-fought 12-rounder main event thriller that completely satisfied fans.

Ryo Sagawa (佐川遼), who weighed-in at 129 pounds, made good use of his height, reach and power to land hard and consistently on the tough and brave Misamis Oriental boxer who never backed away from danger.

The Filipino Al Toyogon went through rough batches during the fiercely fought battle, especially at the end of the 12th stanza when his legs seemed to be giving-in, but the 21-year-old Pinoy hung in there, making it on his feet to the final bell.

There were no cuts, no unintentional (or intentional headbutts), no fouls and no knock downs during the non-stop action highly entertaining pure boxing encounter.

Scores cards from the Filipino judges were unanimous in favor of the visiting Japanese boxer Ryo Sagawa (7-1, 4 KO’s) who captured his first win on foreign soil.    All Sagawa’s prior clashes have been at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

The referee for the WBC was veteran third man Virgilio Garcia, while the supervisor for the WBC was the experienced Rafael “Ralph” Dioknos.

CO-MAIN FEATURE:  JUN BLAZO CAPTURES WBC ASIA SILVER

In the co-main event, Leyteño 118-pounder Jun Blazo (11-6-3, 8 KO’s) outsmarted rough brawler Benezer Alolod (19-11-5, 7 KO’s) of Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur, to earn the vacant WBC Asia Silver Bantamweight strap.   Tallies were unanimous and wide in favor of the 26-year-old Elorde Gym boxer. 

The engaging WBC duels were the main features of “Night of Champions XVII,” the latest successful boxing series produced by of award-winning promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde in association with the matchmaking effort of Patric Pepito Pante, the Naris Singwancha Foundation and ESPN5 Philippines.

Photos by Carlos Costa

The author Carlos Costa is Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines, and he attended this boxing show.   Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand by whatsapp/viber/wechat:  +639184538152.