EDWARD “HENERAL” HENO delivered as promised by beating Renoel Pael to win the Boxing Worldwide Organization (BWO) bantamweight crown on Saturday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Coming off a three-year hiatus, the 29-year-old former world title challenger from Parañaque City Heno scored a unanimous decision win over Renoel Pael of Matalom, Leyte, to improve his win-loss-draw record to 15-1-5 with five knockouts.
“I never focused on a knockout because my opponent is durable and I just returned from a long layoff but I’m ready for what’s next for me,” Heno said.
The three judges scored the fight 117-110, 117-110 and 115-112 for Heno. Pael, 31, fell to a 23-12-1 record with 12 knockouts.
BWO president Enoch Cruz and Vice President Mirlo de Castro along with promoter Aljoe Jaro awarded the golden belt to Heno.
A rising star from General Santos City, RV Deniega, also hogged the limelight by knocking out former World Boxing Council flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro, now 40, in the fourth round of their non-title bantamweight bout to hike his record to seven consecutive wins with four knockouts.
“It was a great experience to fight a great world champion like Sonny Boy [Jaro]. He was strong but obviously, youth, speed and power is what made me win impressively,” the 22-year-old Deniega of Sanman promotions said. “I can’t wait for the bigger fights out there.”
Unbeaten Weljon Mindoro of Bacoor City, meanwhile, scored a sixth-round technical knockout win over Jason Egera of Negros Occidental in the main supporting bout for his eighth straight knockout triumph in as many fights.
Journeyman Jenel Lausa, also a mixed martial artist, dropped compatriot Michael Escobia in the fifth round in a non-title super featherweight fight to stay undefeated in 12 bouts with seven knockouts and a draw.