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Other July rematches:
WBC Jr. Bantamweight: Medgeon Singsurat (3) vs Payao Poontarat (11)
Their first bout saw Singuarat win one card 97-94, but the other 2 were scored even. Poontarat simply worked his tail off in that fight, but many experts were unsure he could do better. They knew Singsurat could, and thus Singsurat was expected to emerge.
There was some concern that Singsurat had trained too hard, particularly given the battle that occurred only a month prior. Poontarat, however, looked fresh and ready to go. Looks were deceiving, though, as Singsurat turned up the pace and outworked Singsurat this time, throwing 20 more punches per round.
The early rounds were a slugfest, Poontarat taking the opener before Singsurat battered away at him in the 2nd. And there was the difference. Last time, Poontarat was able to respond anytime Singsurat hurt him. This time, the starch was taken out of him.
Singsurat took the third as well before dropping Poontarat in the 4th with a devastating uppercut. Poontarat survived the round and responded well in the 5th and 6th, though he became more tentative and seemed to lose his desire to brawl. He went with a more evasive, defensive tact, and Singsurat just waited him out.
Singsurat would regain control in the 7th and, with Poontarat visibly weary, Singsurat attacked in the 8th with combinations before a blistering body shot dropped Poontarat and left him down for the count.
Singsurat wins, KO 8. Singsurat won't have much time to recouperate before fighting #10-seed Alimi Goitia in the semifinal.
IBF Jr. Bantamweight: Alexander Munoz (1) vs Katsuya Onizuka (9)
Their first contest is a fight of the year candidate for both the frenetic pace of the first half of the fight and Munoz's right hand to drop Onizuka - who appeared on his way to victory - with 10 seconds left in the fight to earn the 10-8 round needed to force the draw, and the rematch.
It was clear from the first bout that Onizuka's style posed all sorts of problems for Munoz, whose power bailed him out. But Munoz was reluctant to offer any credit to Onizuka for the first bout, and seemed sure this rematch would be a knockout victory. When tales started circulating that Munoz had broken training several times, it was clear he was officially taking Onizuka lightly.
Munoz came out firing and took the opening round convincingly, nodding as he walked back to his corner. But in the second, Onizuka let him know he'd be in for a fight again, stinging home combinations that Munoz could neither counter nor block. Rounds 3 and 4 were even, Munoz landing the harder blows but Onizuka landing more often.
Less than a half minute into the 5th, Onizuka smashed home a cross that sent Munoz tumbling to the canvas. He would rise at 9 and absorb a beating for the next 2 minutes. With referee Carlos Padilla looking near ready to stop the bout, Munoz unleashed a hammer of a right hand that stopped a charging Onizuka in his tracks. Another big straight right from Munoz had Onizuka looking as though he would fall, but the round came to a close to an eruption from the crowd.
The 6th was even, neither fighter absorbing much punishment. But when the 7th began, only one fighter still seemed in the fight.
In a matter of minutes, Munoz looked like he had lost all his energy. Onizuka spent the next 4 rounds beating Munoz to the punch - when he even threw any - and wearing him down with stiff, quick combinations. Munoz never hit the canvas, but he didn't have to.
Onizuka pulls off the upset, UD 10: 97-92, 97-92, 96-93. He will now fight #4-seed Masamori Tokuyama to see who will battle Luis Bolanos for the title.
GH
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