Servania leads ALA boxers' sweep at Pinoy Pride 24

Genesis Servania preserved his undefeated record, kept his WBO international super bantamweight belt, and overcame the stiffest challenge of his young career as he defeated two-time world champion Alexander Munoz of Venezuela.

The young Filipino warrior floored Munoz in the second and ninth rounds before finally ending the night with a picture perfect right hand late in the final round.

Munoz was able to get up before referee Danrex Tapdasan reached the count of ten but his legs were still wobbly. The referee saved the gallant former champion from more punishment at the 2:22 mark of the 12th round.

Servania raised his record to 24-0 with 10 knockouts while Munoz drops down to 36 wins against six losses and may contemplate retirement again.

“He’s a tough opponent. He’s a two-time world champion and a veteran boxer but I did my best and I’m happy with the win,” Servania said in Filipino after the fight. “Munoz is a really good fighter but I had a tough time finishing him because my leg was cramping up.”

Servania scored a knockdown in the second round as he landed a left to the body, which lowered the Venezuelan’s defense, followed by a straight right that floored the Venezuelan. Munoz, the veteran, took his time on the floor as he gathered his wits first before getting up at the count of nine.

The young Filipino went for the kill but the bell saved Munoz from an early exit.

Servania won most of the early rounds but he allowed Munoz to creep back into the fight in the sixth and seventh rounds. The Venezuelan finally warmed up while the young Filipino seemed to be slowing down.

In the eighth round, an accidental head butt opened a cut on Servania’s left eyebrow. The taste of blood re-energized the young fighter as he lustily chased Munoz around the ring. The veteran Venezuelan made an unlikely rookie mistake late in the round as he mistook the ten-second warning as the bell. Servania took advantage by landing a stiff right hand that staggered Munoz.

In the ninth round, Servania scored another knockdown as he expertly ducked under a right from Munoz and countered with a wicked left to the body. It took the pain split seconds to register but Munoz ultimately took a knee.

“My manager will decide if he wants me to fight for a world title next,” Servania said. “But I think I’m ready for it.”

In the undercard, Arthur Villanueva retained his undefeated record against Fernando Aguilar of Mexico. Even though he was a late replacement, the Mexican proved that he did not fly all the way to Manila to lose.

Villanueva connected with a low blow in the second round for a point deduction. He also opened up a cut on the Mexican’s right cheek with a head butt.

With blood streaming down his face in the third round, Aguilar showed that Mexican fighters do not know how to quit. He unleashed a brutal flurry of punches that had the home fans on the edge of their seats. For a moment, Villanueva looked like he was in trouble but he later weathered the storm to dictate the fight with his better boxing.

The rest of the fight saw the Mexican attacking and the Filipino doing his best to keep him away. In the end, Villanueva retained his undefeated record (25-0, 14 KOs) with a unanimous decision. The three Filipino judges scored the fight 94-93, 95-92, and 96-91.

While the Mexico’s Aguilar was a total warrior, Indonesia’s Isaak Junior was not. The visitor barely fought back against Albert Pagara who was hell bent on finishing the fight early.

After barely throwing punches, Pagara ended the Indonesian’s night as he connected with a left hook and a straight right to the body. Junior crumpled on the floor while Pagara leapt for joy, knowing perhaps that his foe will not continue. The end came at the 2:41 mark of the first round.

“I saw the openings and that’s where I hit him,” Pagara said in Filipino after the fight. “I watched his fight against Servania on YouTube. I trained for three months and I really wanted to win because I am the supporting main event for this card.”

Pagara one-upped Servania who labored for three rounds to defeat Junior.