Genesis Servania knocks out former champ Munoz in 12

Ryan Songalia

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Junior featherweight contender Genesis Servania scored a 12th round knockout of two-time world champion Alexander Munoz in the headlining bout of Pinoy Pride XXIV

SERVANIA STRONG. Filipino junior featherweight contender Genesis Servania knocks former two-time champion Alexander Munoz down for the third and final time. Photo by Denmark Dolores/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – In boxing, the fighter who is bigger, stronger and younger usually wins. Genesis Servania, who was 13 years younger than his opponent Alexander Munoz, laid waste to the two-time WBA junior bantamweight titleholder, stopping him at 2:22 of the 12th round of their junior featherweight fight on Saturday night, March 1 at Solaire Resort in Pasay City, Philippines.

The 22-year-old Servania (24-0, 10 knockouts) of Bacolod City, Philippines, has now won 4 of his last 5 bouts by knockout.

The writing was on the wall for Munoz (36-6, 29 KOs), who, at Friday’s weigh-in, turned away from Servania during the staredown tradition. Afterwards, Munoz intimated that he was more or less a retired fighter, having opened a rental car business in his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela after spending the last three years as a part-time fighter.

From the opening bell, it was clear that Munoz was not able to keep pace with Servania. Servania scored the fight’s first knockdown in the second round, dropping Munoz’s guard with a right hand to the body before landing a right cross to the jaw that sent him down for a count of 9 and three-quarters.

Munoz continued to battle though, landing several good body shots and a right cross in the third round to keep Servania honest. There were moments of drama for Servania, who was cut by a punch in the sixth round in the same spot that he bled from against Konosuke Tomiyama last July in Macau.

Servania lands a punch on Munoz's face. Photo by Denmark Dolores

With referee Danrex Tapdasan keeping a close eye on the cut, Servania knew he had to take matters into his own hands.

During the closing moments of the ninth round, Servania caught Munoz off-guard with a feint, then landed a vicious left hook to the body that put him down once more. Still, Munoz was brave, and landed enough to keep Servania off of him despite being visibly weary.

Servania appeared on his way towards a one-sided decision victory, but he wanted to make a bigger impression.

Using a left hook as a diversion, Servania stepped in and landed a flush right cross that dropped Munoz once more. Munoz rose up but the referee stopped the fight wisely to avoid serious damage.

Afterwards, promoter Michael Aldeguer of ALA Promotions said he wanted to see Servania in other similar tests against former champions, namely former junior bantamweight and bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, as well as three-division champion Vic Darchinyan, before putting him in a world title fight.

“We want more fights like this,” said Aldeguer. “We started negotiations to bring Fernando Montiel here, we talked about him and Darchinyan before he fought Nonito Donaire. I think these are the fights this guy needs. When you’re young you need to go through fights like these in order to be prepared to fight for a world title.”

Albert Pagara (left) dominates his overwhelmed opponent. Photo by Denmark Dolores

In the co-featured fight, Albert Pagara (19-0, 13 KOs) had no issues putting away his outsized opponent. Pagara, 20, of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines stopped Isack Junior (22-5-2, 8 KOs) in their junior featherweight bout at the 2:41 mark.

Junior, whose best weight was at 115 pounds where he beat former title challenger Bert Batawang, was too easy a target against the ropes as Pagara took advantage to pound him along the ropes.

Pagara finally put him down for the count after landing a right hand underneath Junior’s right ribcage.

Arthur Villanueva (right) lands an uppercut on Fernando Aguilar. Photo by Denmark Dolores

Arthur Villanueva was expected to have an easy night after original opponent Juan Hernandez pulled out two weeks ago after a motorcycle injury. Fernando Aguilar, the man who stepped in on short notice, didn’t get the memo.

The Mexico City native Aguilar stayed punch-for-punch with the 25-year-old from Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, causing Villanueva’s cheering squad uneasy moments along the way.

Villanueva admitted afterwards that he was hurt in rounds 4 and 8, but overcame the difficulties to land enough blows to earn the unanimous decision victory. Three judges awarded Villanueva the fight 94-93, 95-92 and 96-91, bringing his record to 25-0 (14 knockouts). Aguilar’s record dips to 9-1 (7 KOs).

“It was very hard to adjust in the fight,” admitted Villanueva, who says he was disappointed in his performance. He’s very strong, his heart is big.” – Rappler.com

 

More on the Servania – Muñoz fight:

Boxing: Servania gains mental edge over Munoz at weigh-in

For Arthur Villanueva, boxing is a chess match

 

Other links you might be interested in:

Latest stories on Philippine boxing

Latest stories on Philippine boxing champ Manny Pacquiao

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