Calatrava’s Zulueta takes Asian belt in Bacolod boxing

John Michael Zulueta (center) claims the Asian Boxing Federation minimumweight belt after defeating Cris Ganoza via split decision at the Gaisano City mall in Bacolod City on Saturday, June 30. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRICO SANTIG

NEGRENSE boxer John Michael Zulueta captured the vacant Asian Boxing Federation minimumweight belt with a split-decision win over Cris Ganoza on Saturday in Gaisano City mall in Bacolod City.

It was the second professional boxing title of the Calatrava, Negros Occidental native after previously holding the Philippine Visayas Professional Boxing Association light flyweight belt.

Zulueta had an aggressive start in their match scheduled for 10 rounds when he pummeled Ganoza with multiple punches, including a huge left straight that rocked the latter’s solid defense.

Ganoza responded with his own attacks midway in the match but Zulueta regained his dominance with counter punches enough to secure a 94-96, 99-91, 97-93 score from the judges.

Zulueta’s promoter Brico Langbay Santig told Panay News the victory will be huge for the career of the Negrense fighter and can help him attract tougher opponents in his next fights.

“It was a hard-earned win by John Michael. Ganoza is a tough opponent,” Santig said. “Nasubukan talaga si John Michael sa laban na ito mabuti na lang at maganda ang preparation niya.”

The 22-year-old Zulueta kept his unbeaten record of 8-0-2 (win-loss-draw) with three stoppage wins while the 23-year-old Ganoza dropped to 15-2-0 including eight knockout victories.

In the undercard, Bago City’s Joepher Montano scored a technical knockout win over last-minute replacement Danilo Pena while Murcia’s Ernesto Alera edged Marlou Sandoval of Bayawan City./PN

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