NAGA CITY, South Cebu — In redemption of his lamentable loss to Goki Kobayashi in Osaka, Japan in his bid for the WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight title last June, boxing prodigy Joseph Sumabong of the Black Snake Gym clinched the vacant WBO Youth Minimumweight crown in spectacular fashion at the Enan Chiong Activity Center in Naga City, South Cebu.

Sumabong, 22, regarded as the underdog against hometown favorite John Kevien Jimenez, delivered a jaw-dropping knockout in the second round with a perfectly timed left overhand to the liver just as the second-round bell sounded, leaving his opponent grimacing in pain on the canvas.

Referee Rey Caitom Jr. counted to 10 as Jimenez remained down, prompting an ecstatic Sumabong to celebrate his emphatic win that improved his professional record to 7-1, with four of his victories coming by knockout.

Jimenez, who suffered his second consecutive loss after falling to Takeshi Ishii in a Japan-based OPBF Minimumweight title bout last September, now holds a record of 8-2 with three knockouts.

In the opening round, both Sumabong and Jimenez carefully sized each other up with jabs and hooks, but with the crowd eagerly anticipating more action, the newly crowned WBO champion pressed for the win but his foe from the Chao Sy Boxing Stable broke the attacj with a quick combination and landed a clean right straight to close the round in his favor.

However, the second round found Sumabong quickening the pace as both fighters traded combinations, much to the delight of the lively audience. The Boholano boxer from Tagbilaran then pressed forward with sharp jabs to set up his power punches, keeping Jimenez on the defensive.

After rocking the Cebuano fighter with a left straight, Sumabong intensified his assault, forcing his opponent onto the ropes multiple times and finally shocked Jimenez with a decisive left overhand to Jimenez’s body, sealing a stunning knockout victory.

In the undercard of the championship bout, Chao Sy Boxing Stable secured a victory through Jemuel Aranas, who claimed the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) Interim Flyweight title with a unanimous decision win over Clyde Azarcon.

Junibert Bantay also delivered a closely fought majority decision victory over Joyjoy Formentera while Jeffrey Jimenez outpointed Jariel Quisto for a unanimous decision win. In the final undercard match, Jofferson Trazo earned a unanimous decision over Zandy Paderan.