Petalcorin knocks out Ming in first round to retain WBA interim title

MANILA, Philippines – Despite winning the WBA interim junior flyweight title in his last bout, Randy Petalcorin has received little attention in his home country of the Philippines. 

Neither his title-winning effort against Walter Tello last August or his first defense against Ma Yi Ming on Friday, April 24 were televised in the Philippines. But after Petalcorin’s most recent performance, he might just be must-see television.

Petalcorin (23-1-1, 18 knockouts) scored three quick knockdowns to stop Ma Yi Ming (12-6, 7 KOs) in the first round of their bout at the Capital Gym in Beijing, China at about the 1:43 mark. 

Petalcorin, 23, of Davao City, Philippines blitzed the overmatched Chinese fighter Ming, 34, from the opening bell. Using his southpaw right jab to occupy his opponent, Petalcorin opened up a barrage of straight left hands that sent Ming to the canvas face-first 50 seconds into the fight.

Randy Petalcorin’s first knockdown of Ma Yi Ming #boxing #rstream pic.twitter.com/GUeLC1IpjD

— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) April 24, 2015

Petalcorin went back on the attack after the mandatory eight count and put Ming back on a knee seconds later for the second knockdown. Sensing that the end was near, Petalcorin continued to pound away with 1-2 combinations, and after toppling Ming for a third time, referee Raul Caiz Jr stopped the bout at about the 1:43 mark. 

Here’s the stoppage of the Randy Petalcorin vs Ma Yi Ming fight in Beijing #rstream #boxing pic.twitter.com/8qe0ISCwzr

— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) April 24, 2015

Petalcorin, rated no. 6 by The Ring magazine at 108 pounds, was competing for the second straight time in China and has remained unbeaten in the last five years. Ming had won his previous nine bouts heading into his fight at the Capital Gym but suffers his fifth loss by knockout. 

Petalcorin’s promoter Jim Claude Manangquil told this writer that he wants to see Petalcorin face WBA titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi (21-2-1, 8 KOs) or WBC claimant Pedro Guevara (25-1-1, 17 KOs) in his next bout.

“Randy is ready to face anybody. He is on another level. He will be a superstar,” said Manangquil, who co-promotes Petalcorin with Peter Maniatis of Australia. – Rappler.com