By KEVIN JAKAHI By KEVIN JAKAHI ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald sports writer Chad Pavao played a perimeter game — kicking to keep his distance and clinching when action got close — to win a five-round decision over Riquo Abadilla for the Toughman
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Chad Pavao played a perimeter game — kicking to keep his distance and clinching when action got close — to win a five-round decision over Riquo Abadilla for the Toughman Hawaii 130-pound junior lightweight title on Saturday at Hilo Civic.
Abadilla, at 5 feet, 6 inches and a solid three inches shorter than his rangy opponent, tried numerous times and took a variety of angles to close the distance. But Pavao, for the most part, wouldn’t let him knock and open his door, offering kicks to the legs and midsection at every advance.
The few times Abadilla got inside Pavao’s guard he rammed some good cracks, even producing a bloody mouse under an eye. But the Waianae fighter piled up enough points, and avoided Abadilla’s knockout attempts for the belt.
In one of the best fights of the night, Ronnie Carvalho knocked out Eron Zeeman just 42 seconds into the first round, crashing an overhand right, set up by the Muhammad Ali head fake.
Carvalho dropped his hands, stuck out his chin, and stung like a bee when Zeeman, an older gentleman, fell for the trap. He was looking to fire a kick, but Carvalho beat him to the punch.
“It always feels good to knock someone out. The guy had a karate style and was leading with his feet,” said Carvalho, who wasn’t scheduled on the card and was a late fill-in. “He dropped his hands and the rest was history. He overcommitted and walked right into it. I have to credit my dad (Toughman promoter Wally Carvalho) for letting me fight and my Pops (grandpa Walt Carvalho Sr.). That was the Pops Special. I learned that overhand right from him.”
In other bouts:
• Nikolai Parks defeated Tyler Leopoldino, second-round knockout, 1:58.
• Arnold Berdon def. Ikaika Martin, decision.
• Keoni Rodrigues def. Keoni Chang, second-round KO, :41.
• Andrew Sanchis def. Jonathan Kalinihua, decision.
• Nic Das def. Dustin AhChong, third-round TKO, :12.
• Keola Limkin def. Adam Collarie, decision.
• Josh Mendiola def. Rico Nasario, second-round TKO, :12.
• Kawika Pakakiko def. Joey Cruz, first-round KO, :26.
• Bronson Gambol def. Ikaika Rodrigues, first-round KO, 1:23.
• Daniel Saplan def. William Miura, decision.
Junior division
• Kenzin Santos def. Matt Majamay, decision for junior division welterweight title.
• Nathaniel Kekahu def. Avery Sanchis, decision.
• Michael Clemente def. Travis Anzai, decision.
