Johnson outclasses foe, takes GBO heavy crown
After disposing off tough Bolivian Saul Farah in Saturday night’s Thrilla In Davao, newly-crowned Global Boxing’s Organization (GBO) heavyweight champion Ron Johnson has called out WBA heavyweight titlist Andy Ruiz.
Nicknamed “The American Dream”, Johnson said he is ready to face theMexican champion Ruiz who scored an upset win over erstwhile undefeated heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua recently.
To the delight of the boxing crowd that included former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Johnson taught Farah some neat boxing lessons to claim the GBO heavyweight title at the Azuela Cove in Lanang, Davao City.
Johnson, a native of Cleveland, Ohio fighting out of Las Vegas, knocked Farah twice down in the very first round but the tough Latino heavyweight titlist, aka “The Phoenix Assassin,” rose to his feet at the count of eight in both occasions to prevent himself from getting kayoed.
“Saul is a great warrior…very tough, he deserves my respect,” said Johnson, the former three-belt owner of the World Boxing Federation who earlier boasted to take his opponent in two rounds.
Farah also delivered clean shots but these were few and far in between. Once, he hit Johnson with a right hook that rocked the stylish American. He had difficulty adjusting against Johnson’s weaving in and out whose jarring left jabs and right straights found their marks.
“I like the action. All three championship fights were exciting, especially the heavyweight fight…maganda, maganda” exclaimed Marcos who flew all the way to Davao from Manila despite a rainy weather.
The former senator was kept company by GAB chair Abraham Mitra, commissioners Mar Masanguid and Ed Trinidad, former Congressman Anton Lagdameo and Los Angeles-based lawyer James Bang. He reminded those around him of the 1975 Thrilla in Manila when asked for his comments.
Farah, in his halting English, said: “Two rounds, he (Johnson) not get me,” with two fingers as a mocking gesture that Johnson’s boast of taking him out in two was nothing but hot air.
Johnson approached Farah in his corner and embraced him for his spartan attitude. The new GBO heavyweight king now sports a 16 win-0 loss-0 draw- personal tally while the Bolivian hombre has 63 wins, 24 losses and 3 draws in 96 outings.
In the accompanying supporting main events, erstwhile undefeated Ifugao boxer Roy Nagulman lost by unanimous decision to Aries Buenavidez for the GBO Asia Pacific bantamweight diadem while fellow Ifugao stablemate KJ Natuplag fell to Joe Tejones of Wowie Lalanto Stable via a close split decision for the GBO Asia Pacific Jr. lightweight crown.
Promoter Rey Rodis of RED Boxing Int’l thanked the City of Davao, particularly Mayor Sara Duterte and her staff, for the assistance the city government extended to the boxing promotion.
“This is the very first world heavyweight championship held in our city and the success of Thrilla in Davao exemplifies the capability of the city government to host sports events of this magnitude. Daghang Salamat, Mayor Sara, daghang salamat Davaoenos,” Rodis, a native of Davao City, said.
