Thad Mangalino
It was a chilly night in Melbourne last 7 August, but the atmosphere inside the Melbourne Pavilion was electric. A group of Filipino and non-Filipino boxing fans was scattered at the venue cheering on our two kababayans. The night was an event by Brian Amatruda’s Big Time Boxing.
One of the titles was on the line for the PABA Super Lightweight title and WBA Pan African Super Lightweight title. Southpaw power puncher Augusto Caesar Amonsot “Czar of Bohol” (29 W, 3 L, 3 D) threw down with Rusmin Kie Raha, an orthodox fighter from Indonesia. From the early rounds Amonsot dominated with fast jabs and precise body shots. By the 4th round an accidental head-butt occurred and the referee stopped the fight and had to go to the judges and go through the scorecards. Luckily, Caesar put up a performance and was awarded the victory. Speaking to Caesar after the bout, he told me that he was feeling good before the fight. Camp went well and his outcome was to defeat his opponent. However, Caesar did share his disappointment because the fight was stopped but glad that he won.
The second Filipino on the card is Super Bantamweight Roberto Lerio “Hands of Stone” fighting out of General Santos by the way of North Sydney. Roberto fought Ibrahim Balla who represented Australia in the 2012 Summer Olympics. The bout went the distance and Roberto put up a good fight but was outboxed by Balla who won by unanimous decision. After the bout, Roberto is optimistic and looking forward to his next bout. He will bounce back and put up a better fight next time.
Both Amonsot and Lerio shared with me their love of the sport and how the love and support of their family is one of their main motivations that drive them to be victorious in the sport. I urge the local Filipino community to support Caesar and Roberto as well as other Pinoy boxers. They do not only bring pride to the Philippines but these warriors are showing the Filipino fighting spirit. Watching a sporting event and hearing chants from Filipinos is a great experience. So support our boxers fighting here in Australia, bring a flag and wave it proudly.
(Photo credit: Marty Camilleri of Marty’s Knockout Photography )
