Delos Reyes upsets odds, stuns Borg with fifth-round knockout

 
VALENTINE Borg was the big favourite, but Jobert Delos Reyes stunned the Australian boxing scene last night at Club Punchbowl with a vicious one punch fifth-round knockout to gain the vacant IBO Youth lightweight title.
 
Delos Reyes, 24, is known for his aggressive style and knockout ability, having previously scored upsets over Andrew Wallace and a highlight-reel knockout over Takashi Sugiura – but few could’ve predicted an upset of these proportions.
 
On the other hand, Borg, 21, the rising star out of the amateurs, had already captured state and national honours inside of six fights and appeared destined for bigger things ahead of what was his second regional title clash.
 

 
Borg (6-1, 4 KOs) and Delos Reyes (12-4-1, 9 KOs) started off according to the script, with feeling-out process taking place. However, Borg blitzed the first four-rounds and was ahead 40-36 on all three cards before the knockout.
 
Delos Reyes attempted the right-uppercut several times in the opening rounds, but had little to no luck landing on Borg, who fought aggressively – and despite his height advantage – fought from within range with behind a tight earmuff style defence.
 
This all changed in the fifth round, when Delos Reyes absolutely drilled Borg with one of the best counter uppercuts you’ll ever see, a punch that landed right underneath Borg’s guard, splitting the Sydney-based fighter’s defence and landing flush on the button. The singular punch landed with authority and left Borg rendered unconscious before referee Brad Griffiths waved of proceedings.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:33 of the fifth round.

Photos: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz