Lady boxer Julaton is latest addition to RP champs

The sixth member of the elite club of Filipino boxing world champions is a woman. US-based Ana “The Hurricane" Julaton made history as the first Filipina boxer ever to win a world title over the weekend when she upstaged veteran Kelsey “The Road Warrior" Jeffries at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The 29-year-old Julaton, an 8-1 underdog prior to fight night, beat the odds by hacking out a 10-round majority decision over former champion Jeffries and capturing the IBA female super bantamweight title.

According to PhilBoxing.com, the Fil-Am sensation used her speed and accurate punching to dominate the 10-year veteran Jeffries and earn the nod of two judges, 98-92 and 96-94. The third judge called it a 95-95 draw. Julaton burst into tears upon hearing the judges’ verdict and she became the latest boxing champ from the Philippines, joining tough guys Manny Pacquiao (IBO light welterweight), Nonito Donaire, Jr. (WBA interim super flyweight), Brian Viloria (IBF light flyweight), Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight) and Marvin Sonsona (WBO super flyweight). Jeffries, PhilBoxing.com reported, employed every roughhouse tactic in the books, like head butts, low blows, elbowing and grabbing, to throw off her younger rival but Julaton showed poise and maturity by not taking the bait. "Stick to the plan, you’re stronger than her, you’re faster, don't get caught up in all her cheating!" her trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr. was constantly reminding Julaton. And stick to the plan Julaton did, landing her jabs and power shots on the 33-year-old Jeffries, capping her dominance with a thunderous straight right in the 10th round. With the win, Julaton improved to 5-1-1 while Jeffries absorbed her first loss after eight straight wins for a 41-10-1 card overall. - GMANews.TV
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