KJ Natuplag Of Lagawe, Ifugao Captures PBF Featherweight Title In Highland Brawl

Kurvin John (KJ) Natuplag, a boxing prospect who hails from the town of Lagawe in Ifugao, shone the brightest when he bested Danilo Pena of Paranaque City to capture the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation featherweight title on Sunday night at the CCDC gym in La Trinidad, Benguet. Natuplag was declared the winner via technical knockout when Pena's corner decided to stop the fight right after the end of the seventh round.

Natuplag vs Pena served as the main course for the boxing event dubbed Highland Brawl 2: War in the North. The stacked card also featured five supporting professional bouts and nine amateur fights. The event is part of the official activities for the month-long Adivay Festival.

With the victory, Natuplag improves his record to 6 wins, 0 loses, and 1 draw. On the other hand, Pena drops to 27 wins, 28 losses, and 5 draws. Below is an updated list of the results of the matches during the event.

Main Event
KJ “El Matumbo” Natuplag (Ifugao) vs. Danilo Pena (Paranaque City), TKO Round 7 for Natuplag, 126lbs, PBF Featherweight title

Supporting Bouts
1. Jules Victoriano (Baguio City) vs. Juanito Paredes (Metro Manila), Unanimous Decision for Victoriano, 126 lbs | Featherweight bout
2. Brian Lobetania (La Trinidad, Benguet) vs. Jayson Nicart (Bacoor City), TKO Round 4 for Lobetania, 108lbs | Light Flyweight bout
3. Enrique Magsalin (Baguio City) vs. Romeo Tenorio (Sarangani) Split Draw, 109lbs | Catch weight bout
4. Orlandino Sinaloba (La Trinidad) vs. Bryan Padolina (Bacoor City) Majority Decision for Sinaloba, 122lbs |Super Bantamweight bout
5. Kathleen Papti-e (Itogon, Benguet) vs. Renalyn Dacquel (Abra) TKO RD 1 for Dacquel, 114lbs| Super Flyweight (Women’s Division)

Amateur Bouts
1. Esli Dhon Saclag (Kalinga) vs. Jonathan Soriano (Baguio City) 40 kg Draw
2. Chris Caday (Buguias) vs. Hope Ignas (Atok) 55 kgs TKO Round 2 for Ignas
3. Gilbert Dionisio (La trinidad) vs. Eugene Tuguinay (Itogon) 49kgs Unanimous Decision for Gilbert Dionisio
4. Jones Catalino (Buguias) vs. Mark Autida (La Trinidad) 52kgs Unanimous Decision for Mark Autida
5. MJ Uduna (Ifugao) vs. Roy Domigsi (La Trinidad) 60kgs TKO RD 2 for MJ Uduna
6. Andrea Cola (Italy) vs. Judy Kimpa-oy (La trinidad) 72 kgs TKO RD 2 for Andrea Cola
7. Zak Kaiser Moga (Itogon) vs. Chim Apopot (Kibungan) 58kgs Chim Apopot Winner
8. Christopher Miguel (Tuba) vs. Bradley Delmas (La Trinidad) 55 kg TKO RD 1 for Miguel
9. Bryan Caw-as (Kapangan) vs. Jeffrey Kimpa-oy (La Trinidad) 67kg Unanimous Decision for Caw-as

Natuplag (right) and Pena (left) during the weigh-in. Photo credit: Winston Gonzalo from the Highland Brawl Facebook page.

Female Boxer From Baguio City Captures A Championship Belt In Macau, China

Not only is Jujeath Nagaowa back in the winning column, she also just captured the light flyweight championship belt of the Women's International Boxing Association (IBA). The 27-year-old pugilist took home the strap after eking out a unanimous decision victory over Luo Yu Jie of China last June 6 at the Forum de Macau in Macau, China.

Indeed, it's sweet redemption for Nagaowa who lost four consecutive fights prior to facing Luo Yu Jie. With the win, Nagaowa improves here boxing record to 13 wins, 15 losses, and 1 draw. She turned professional in 2006. Because she now holds the belt, her return to the squared ring could be anytime soon as she will be expected to defend it against contenders.

Nagaowa also competes in mixed martial arts. She fought twice last year in the One Championship organization. She won both fights via knockouts. She was supposed to fight for the same organization earlier this year but she pulled out of the bout due to injury (?).

One Fighting Championship (ONE FC)