Cuello stops Thai foe, retains WBC 105-lb belt

Denver “The Excitement" Cuello successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) international minimumweight championship belt by scoring a ninth round technical knockout (TKO) win over Samat Chaiyong of Thailand late Saturday night at the Angono Gym in Angono, Rizal. Referee Bruce McTavish stopped the fight with still one minute and 12 seconds left in the ninth round after seeing the Thai challenger incapable of retaliation amidst a barrage of punches thrown by Cuello. The win hiked the Cabatuan, Iloilo-born Cuello’s ring record to 26 wins with 16 coming by way of knockout, against four losses and six draws. More importantly, his latest victory made him the WBC’s world number one contender for the 105-pound belt currently being held by Japan’s Kazuo Ioka. Ioka will defend the crown later this year against Mexican Juan Hernandez, with the winner facing Cuello. “Mas mahirap na ang susunod kong laban. Kung sino ang manalo kina Hernandez at Ioka, lalabanan ko. Pag-iibayuhin ko ang pag-e-ensayo para matupad ko na ang pangarap ko na maging world champion din," said Cuello after the bout amidst the cheers of a packed crowd that watched him punish the Thai challenger. Chaiyong, a former Muay Thai fighter with over 200 bouts under his belt, proved to be durable and showed a lot of heart even while receiving a beating from an aggressive Cuello, who was constantly egged on by the crowd to finish the match by KO. "Dati kasing kickboxer itong si Chaiyong kaya matibay din. Sanay tumanggap ng sipa at suntok sa katawan kaya nakakaya din ang lakas ng mga binibitawan ko na suntok. Pero sabi ni manager (Aljoe Jaoro) nung seventh round ibuhos ko na daw ng todo, kaya binigay ko na ang lahat hanggang sa ihinto na ang laban," said Cuello. All rounds went to Cuello as he unleashed a flurry of lethal combinations and crisp jabs against a shaken Chaiyong, who nearly fell but was saved by the bell at the end of round seven. Cuello was the aggressor the entire match as he dominated Chaiyong right from the second round when he started targeting the Thai’s body and head. The Thai challenger wobbled towards his corner after Cuello connected with two solid left hooks in the fourth round. In the featured undercard bouts, Lionel Legarda defeated Jetly Purisima of General Santos City by majority decision to win the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) mini flyweight championship belt, while the 10-round match between Boydondee Pumar and Rex Olisa for the PBF junior flyweight title,ended in a split draw. - KY, JVP, GMA News