Filipino-American Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton has won her third straight boxing crown, capturing the WBO Female Super Bantamweight title.
Trained by boxing coach Freddie Roach, the 29-year-old Julaton found Mexican Maria Villalobos a tough nut to crack, but came through with telling blows to win the close fight at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada.
At the end of the bout, Julaton came out on top of the judges scorecards in a split decision 96-94, 96-94 against 97-93.
With the victory, Julaton became the undisputed queen of the 122 lbs. division, having simultaneously holding the IBA and WBO Super Bantamweight championships.
More than that, the victory allowed the Daly City-based Julaton to redeem herself from a devastating decision loss in a title fight against Canadian Lisa Brown in the same venue two months ago.
Born in San Francisco and whose father and mother, Cesar and Ahmelia Bonifacio, were full-blooded Filipinos from Pozzorubio, Pangasinan and Manila respectively, Julaton improved to 7 wins (1 via knockout), 2 losses, and a draw, while dropping Villalobos to 6 victories (3 KOs) and 4 losses.
The victory thus completed Julaton’s meteoric rise to female prizefighting stardom as she snared her third title in a span of nine months.
Julaton won the vacant IBA title with a majority 10-round decision over Kelsey Jeffries (41-9-1, 4 KO’s) on September 12, 2009, before delivering another 10 round unanimous decision over Donna “Nature Girl” Biggers (19-8-1, 16 KO’s) on December 4, 2009.
Credit, however, should also be given to Roach, who made sure he will get the job done this time.
Roach, a four-time Trainer of the Year awardee by the Boxing Writers Association of America, who helped pound-for-pound king
Manny Pacquiao to win seven titles in as many divisions, was reunited with Julaton after her loss to Brown.
Roach replaced Nonito Donaire Sr., father of reigning IBF and IBO Flyweight champion Donaire Jr.
It was actually a reunion of sorts for Julaton and Roach, who coached the 29-year-old Julaton in her first six fights.
Source: Good News Pilipinas
Comments