3 brothers from Misamis Oriental take Mandaue ring by storm

This one’s for the books.

Seldom does one witness a boxing event, featuring three brothers, fighting it out and winning in all their respective matches.

Taking Mandaue by storm were brothers April Jay, Ian Paul, and Augusto Abne from Manticao town in Misamis Oriental during the ARQ Boxing’s Engkwentro Dos at the Ibabao-Estancia Gym on Saturday, October 30.

The 22-year-old April Jay “Astroboy” Abne beat the more experienced, bigger and taller Bienvenido “Sniper Ben Fairtex” Ligas from Manila via split decision in the 10-round main event to capture the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) silver flyweight belt.

In the undercard, Ian Paul Abne (3-0, 2 KOs) lost steam at the outset of his six-round bout with erstwhile undefeated Cristopher Caburog (now 2-1). 

But he was the busy fighter early, throwing more telling blows to walk away with a unanimous decision victory.

A neophyte in professional boxing’s preliminary bouts, their youngest brother Augusto Abne appeared lacking in fundamentals.

At the go, Augusto immediately brawled like a raging bull and got lucky to be the first to land a solid right to the jaw that dropped Marvin Campo to the canvas, ending their four-round duel at the 1:46 mark of the first round.

“It’s rare to watch three brothers winning slugfests altogether in one night replete with much excitement and ring drama,” said the Abnes’ 32-year-old townmate Gerwin Suico in Manticao, Misamis Oriental.

“We, Manticaonons, were so elated by their initial success. Who knows one of them will be able to follow in the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao,” said Suico, a nephew of 1991 SEA Games amateur boxing gold medalist Raymundo Suico.

The OPBF title showdown was closely fought. The ARQ Boxing Gym’s prized warrior, Astroboy Abne, was the aggressor in the early rounds, displaying an impressive hand-speed of 1-2 combo and quick uppercut. 

But Ligas, the 23-year-old tactician from the Elorde Stable, stole the show beginning in the sixth frame when he scored clearer shots and combination to the face and body. 

His confidence even grew when an accidental headbutt opened an ugly cut on Abne’s left eyebrow.

Refusing to give in with blood dripping that bothered him in the remainder of the fight, Abne kept on counterpunching as he persevered until the final bell rang.

Ligas’ cornerman jumped into the ring and enthusiastically lifted his ward up on his shoulders, believing he did enough to win.

But two of the three ring judges saw it otherwise for a split verdict that raised Abne’s unblemished record to 7-0.

It was Ligas’ second ring defeat. He now has 13-2-2 win-loss-draw ledger with nine knockouts.

“April Abne is a good fighter,” said former two-division boxing world champion Gerry Peñalosa. – Rappler.com