Unheralded Rodelyn Perez spoils Eman Bacosa Pacquiao’s first title shot

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Eman Bacosa Pacquiao’s bid for his first championship ended in disappointment after suffering a stunning defeat to unheralded challenger Rodelyn Perez in a vacant Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) lightweight title fight held in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.

Perez pulled off the upset via majority decision after eight rounds, handing Bacosa Pacquiao his second career loss and derailing what was expected to be a stepping-stone bout in his rise within the boxing scene.

The judges scored the fight 75-75, 75-74, and 76-73, all in favor of Perez.

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The loss was made more difficult for Bacosa Pacquiao as he was knocked down three times during the contest, drawing shock from the crowd in attendance.

With the defeat, Bacosa Pacquiao now holds a record of 8-2-1 with five knockouts, snapping his eight-fight unbeaten run. The streak included a victory over Indonesian Reynold Kundimang in a featured bout during the “Kumong Bol-Anon 25” event in Tagbilaran, Bohol last February.

The fight began on a positive note for Bacosa Pacquiao, who controlled the opening round with clean combinations and solid movement. However, Perez quickly adjusted in the second round, turning the tide with sustained pressure and sharper exchanges that led to the first knockdown.

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From there, Perez continued to press the action, repeatedly catching Bacosa Pacquiao off guard with aggressive combinations that resulted in two more knockdowns.

Despite being floored three times, Bacosa Pacquiao showed resilience and managed to land his own shots, even opening a cut above Perez’s left eyebrow.

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Online reactions were mixed following the result, with some netizens questioning Bacosa Pacquiao’s preparation for the bout and suggesting he may need to reassess his commitment between boxing and his growing involvement in show business.

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