A heart to win proved to be much more effective than a costly training facility and equipment.
The Tinian fighters who are still in a humble start, with only the back yard training in their hands have proved themselves enough by defeating three of the best fighters in this year’s Rites of Passage.
Gerry Mundo completed the entire first round and the solid punch he threw just seconds to the bell stunned Jason Teregeyo hard enough that he no longer wanted a second round.
The 22-year-old neophyte from Tinian just gave his team the first victory via verbal submission in the 135-pound match.
Craig Borja got himself cornered in the first minute of the first round but he managed to fight back and lasted towards the second. He gained the upper ground in the second round and never gave it away. He defeated Guams’ Frank Benavente via TKO on a ground and pound in the 58 seconds of Round 2.
Pete Cepeda also unleashed the skills of taking his opponent down right in the first and sent Denri Fiden to verbally submit.
George Manglona and Ben Duenas both showed big heart to finish the business despite the dwindling stamina in the 160-pound fight.
Both fighters were gasping for breath as they lasted three rounds. In the last seconds of the fight, Duenas prevailed as he grabbed the victory via technical knock-out.
Josh Martin defeated Johmar Untalan in the opening 150-pound match via technical knock-out. Martin delivered a hard hit on Untalan in a split second before the ball rang.
Frank Demapan and Sigfried Enriquez also completed three rounds of the fight and remained strong up to the last minute.
Demapan won the fight via unanimous decision.
Mark Nuique defeated Kevin “The Rev” Esteves via tap out through rear naked choke.
Mike Taitano kept his winning stance towards the last minute o f the first round and had Carl Cepeda underneath him to secure victory on a ground and pound that lead to a tap-out submission in the 160-pound fight.
Carl Takai defeated Josh Cruz via tap out submission in the first round.
