Sarcon snatches WBA Asia strap

Philippine boxing has a new world title prospect.

Lienard Sarcon, a protege of veteran trainer Nonoy Neri, captured the vacant World Boxing Association Asia featherweight crown by beating Jong Seon Kang via a unanimous decision in Siheung City, Korea.

Neri, a longtime member of Manny Pacquiao's training team, was ecstatic over the feat pulled off by Sarcon, who was fighting for the first time overseas.

The victory raised Sarcon's unbeaten record to 10-0 with four knockouts while the loss was the first for the Korean, who dropped to 15-2 with eight stoppages.

Sarcon was sobbing after the official decision was announced while hugging Neri, who was all smiles.

"Sarcon is a prospect and I believe he can eventually contend for a (world) title and win (world crown)," Neri told Daily Tribune.

At the end of the fight, the Filipino fighter sported a pinkish welt under his left eye and a bruise under his right.

Sarcon fights out of MP Boxing-Davao that is financed by ring legend Manny Pacquiao and ran by Neri.

Meanwhile, Mike Plania suffered a lopsided 10-rund decision defeat to Ra'eese Aleemin their super-bantamweight clash at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles yesterday.

The American dropped the Miami-based Filipino early in the fight and hardly hit a bump en route to a clear-cut victory that could lead to a shot at the world crown.