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.