Hanawa KOs Thai opponent, wins OPBF minimumweight belt

PUERTO PRINCESA — Japan’s Erika Hanawa claimed the OPBF women’s minimumweight title after knocking out Thailand’s Sornsawan Khunmarn in the Battle of Palawan: Night of Champions at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum on Friday night.

The Japanese boxer dominated her Thai opponent from the start, not giving an inch in Round 1.

Hanawa then scored a knockdown in the second frame and never looked back from there, forcing Khunmarn’s camp to call it a night at the 1:07 mark of the third round.

In the lone non-title fight of the card, Ryan Racaza scored a fourth round knockout of fellow Filipino pug Junar Adante.

Racaza picked up steam right in Round 4, connecting on crucial hits that opened a cut just below Adante’s left eye.

The wounded area quickly swelled up, prompting the ring physician to tell the referee to stop the fight.