DAVAO CITY -- Former World Boxing Council (WBC) United States heavyweight champion Ronald Johnson twice dropped Saul Farah of Bolivia as the American fighter completely dominated the ‘Thrilla in Davao’ fight to win the Global Boxing Organization (GBO) heavyweight title at the Azuela Cove in Lanang here on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Johnson nicknamed “The American Dream” knocked down Farah two times in the opening round and almost finished the 36-year-old Bolivian in the second round.
Johnson controlled the fight in the succeeding rounds, punishing Farah with his jabs and punches for a unanimous decision victory.
With his win, Johnson improved his ring record to 16 wins with 4 knockouts against 1 loss while Farah suffered his 24th loss against 69 wins and 3 draws.
“I am back. I’m calling on Andy Ruiz Jr. in my next fight,” Johnson said.
Ruiz is the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF), International Boxing Organization (IBO), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) World heavyweight champion.
Meanwhile, Davao’s Aries Buenavidez defeated Ifugao”s Roy Nagulman via a unanimous decision to win the GBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight championship while.
In another undercard fight, Valencia’s Joe Tejones won by a split decision over Ifugao’s KJ Natuplag for the GBO Asia Pacific junior lightweight championship title.
The “Thrilla in Davao” was promoted by Rey Rodis of RED Boxing International.
Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was among the personalities who graced the event, a Davao version of ‘Thrilla in Manila’ which Muhammad Ali won by technical knockout against Joe Frazier on Oct. 1, 1975. (PNA)
