UNBEATEN Criztian Pitt Laurente’s photo op atop the ring took longer than his scheduled 12-round bout against JR Magboo during the revival Sunday of former senator Manny Pacquiao’s Blow-by-Blow boxing show at the Mandaluyong City College Gym.
Laurente, 22, needed only a stunning left hook and under a minute in the first round to send the 32-year-old Magboo to the canvas and prompt referee Danrex Tadpasan to stop the super featherweight Philippine Boxing Federation title fight.
Laurente still looked fresh when former senator Manny Pacquiao, MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons and former world champion now fight promoter Gerry Penalosa and a dozen or so more climbed the ring to get their photos taken with the champ.
“I’m so thankful for the opportunity given by Senator Manny Pacquiao and Gerry Peñalosa for allowing me to fight in the revival of blow-by-blow boxing show,” Laurente, of General Santos City ,told BusinessMirror.
“The photo ops took a little longer than the fight,” Laurente said. “But what’s important is everybody is safe and okay.”
Laurente remained undefeated in 11 fights with seven knockouts while Magboo fell to 18-8-2 win-loss-draw with nine knockouts.
Pacquiao—who watched the fight together with former Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos, a well-known boxing patron—promised fans that he will hold competitive boxing cards all over the country starting in January. The fights, he said, will be aired live on television.
The 43-year-old Pacquiao will return to General Santos City to train for his exhibition fight against South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo on December 10 in Seoul.
Image credits: Wendell Alinea