Johannesburg, South Africa – After four attempts, the Province of North Cotabato has finally produced its first world boxing champion courtesy of Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong, a farmer’s son from Barangay Pag-asa, M’lang, North Cotabato.
“The Sting,” who will turn 27 on June 25, last night knocked out South African champion Gideon Buthelezi at 2:39 of the first round to win the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Junior Bantamweight title at the Emperor’s Palace Resort and Casino in Johannesburg.
It was Edrin’s third attempt at the world title. He lost to Mexican Hernan “Tyson” Marquez two years ago in a premature 3rd round stoppage when they fought for the WBA Flyweight title in Hermosillo, Mexico.
Marquez, who was knocked out by another Filipino Nonito Donaire, Jr., floored Dapudong in the 3rd round and while Edrin stood up right away to continue fight, the referee waved off the fight.
On Nov. 10 last year, he also lost in another controversial fight to Buthelezi by split decision. It was a result which I protested prompting IBO President Edward Levine to order a rematch.
Two other young boxers from North Cotabato actually attempted to win world boxing titles.
Rommel Asenjo of Pigcawayan lost in Mexico when he fought for the IBF minimumweight title against Rayito Garcia two years ago while Lorenzo Villanueva of Midsayap yielded to Indonesian Daud Yordan in their battle for the IBO Featherweight title in Singapore last year.
Edrin Dapudong will thus go down in the history of boxing in North Cotabato as the first world boxing champion ever produced by the province.
There are still other young boys who could also follow the footsteps of Edrin Dapudong.
What is important is that Edrin, by winning the province’s first world boxing title, has proven to other young boys that they too can achieve their goals and realize their dreams.
(Photo caption: Edrin Dapudong is shown here with me and South African trainer Gert Strydom right after he knocked out Buthelezi in Johannesburg last night.)
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