Cebuano boxer John Paul "Angas ng Cebu" Gabunilas is reigniting his career after a significant win at the Cebu Coliseum.
On Saturday, Gabunilas, now part of the {"t":"Chao Sy Boxing Stable","h":"/sports/gabunilas-promises-to-excel-in-boxing-comeback-under-chao-sy"}, achieved a fourth-round technical knockout (TKO) against Ramil Roda, capturing the Philippine super flyweight title during "Fist of Fury 10: The Eliminator."
This victory marked an important turnaround for the 25-year-old, who previously struggled with a three-fight losing streak that included two defeats in Japan.
Gabunilas improved his record to 11 wins, eight by knockout, and four losses with this fight, his first since August 2024.
A Dominant Performance
Gabunilas quickly established dominance, knocking Roda down in the first round with a swift combination. His relentless power shots overwhelmed Roda until the referee halted the fight in the fourth round.
Ben Keilty, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) ratings chairman, was present and praised Gabunilas' aggressive style, which caught the attention of promoter Lorenzo "Chao" Sy.
For Gabunilas, the win was more than just a title; it represented a potential resurgence in his boxing career.
"I am very happy with the result of my game, which was very good," Gabunilas said. He expressed gratitude towards his new promoter, adding that he did not expect such a decisive outcome.
"I gave my all that night, and that was my game plan," he noted.
Looking Ahead
Excited about his return, Gabunilas aims to prove his capability to compete at higher levels. He stated, "I want to show my supporters that I have changed. I am hopeful for future fights, but that depends on my manager."
With this fresh start, Gabunilas is committed to making the most of his opportunity under Chao Sy. He aspires for bigger challenges, including a potential world title shot.
I promise to always deliver great fights for my fans and supporters, especially to make my manager happy so that one day I can compete for a world championship.
John Paul Gabunilas