RAMIREZ SHOWS OFF IMPROVED JAB TO RETAIN WBC TITLE

LOS ANGELES: kept his World Boxing Council junior welterweight title on Friday (Saturday in Manila) with a unanimous decision win over Mexican challenger Antonio Orozco.

The 26-year-old former American Olympian knocked down Orozco twice

his home crowd at the Save Mart Center arena in Fresno, California.

Ramirez showed off his improved jab, throwing over 1,000 punches

three judges scored it 119-107. Ramirez improved to 23-0 with

against Danny O’Connor fell through. O’Connor collapsed at the weigh-in after struggling to make weight.

back from two knockdowns and Filipino paddlers for the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation cross the line in the 20-seater senior mixed 2000m race.

THE Philippines continued to shine on the world stage after grabbing two silver medals in the 2018 ICF World Dragon Boat Championships at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Georgia.

Always a strong contender in the small boat, the paddlers from the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation came close to bagging another gold in the 10-seater senior men’s 500 meters before Hungary wrestled the title away near the finish.

The Hungarians clocked 2:05.021 to nip the Filipinos (2:06.18) in the last few meters before the Czech Republic checked in third, more than three seconds after the winner, followed by Italy, Germany and Ukraine. didn’t win hardly any rounds against Ramirez, but he showed that he can take a punch and keep on ticking. There was no feel out round in the

- ing in the centre of the ring in front of the crowd of 14,000.

Orozco displayed little defence in the first few rounds, allowing Ramirez to tee off on him with straight jabs and left hooks.

In the fourth, Ramirez knocked Orozco down with a right hand to the head. The two were exchanging blows in middle of ring when Ramirez beat him to the punch and the Mexican hit the canvas with 67 seconds left.

Orozco went down again with 1:13 remaining in the eighth round when Ramirez landed a hard left hook to the body.

“He is a true warrior,” Ramirez said of Orozco. “He could have stayed down but he decided to get up.

“The body shot, I was surprised.

In the 20-seater senior mixed 2000m, the PH paddlers were also in contention for the gold but blew the chance after the United States cut them on the final turn, allowing the Czech Republic to secure a trouble- free finish.

``We were forced to take a longer route because we might bump the boat of the United States on the last turn,’’ said head coach Len Escollante.

They were released third out of seven teams from the starting line and chased down the Americans midway into the race.

When the Filipinos were ready to overtake, the Americans took the inner lane on the final bend that wasted several

precious seconds off the Philippines.

``That cost us approximately 4-5 seconds. Still, we were able to earn a medal and I’m proud of what this team has accomplished,’’ said Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation president Jonne Go.

Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Go For Gold, the team earlier bagged a pair of golds in the 20-seater senior mixed 500m and the 10-seater senior mixed 500m.

The Czech Republic ruled the 2000m in eight minutes and 42.47 seconds while the Philippines clocked 8:43.98. Hungary, which overtook Germany in the last 500m, crossed the line in 8:46.22 for the bronze. Freddie Roach and switched to Robert Garcia. Ramirez believed he was not getting enough attention from Roach and Garcia promised to make him a

“Robert realized the power my jab,” he said.

of

Paddlers Mark Jhon Frias, Jordan De Guia, Arche Baylosis, Loberstan Duayao, John Lester Delos Santos, Jerome Solis, John James Pelagio, Miflone Puzon and Franc Feliciano form the core of 20-seater 200m senior mixed category.

Joining them are lady paddlers Apple Jane Abitona, Raquel Almencion, Lealyn Baligasa, drummer Patricia Ann Bustamante and steerer Maribeth Caranto as the Filipinos aim for three more golds on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Apart from the big boat 200m senior mixed, they are bound to race in the finals of the small boat 200m senior men and senior mixed.