Kenneth Llover stops Chinese foe, retains OPBF crown

Kenneth Llover closed out the year on a high note, defeating Ayati Sailike to retain his OPBF bantamweight title on Saturday night at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan.

The 22-year-old rising star dropped his Chinese challenger twice in the second round, prompting the referee to stop the contest at the 2:07 mark.

It was an easy night at the office for “Lover Boy,” who found his range early, stalked Sailike, and landed crisp combinations at will. Llover’s offense proved overwhelming, as Sailike spent much of the fight backpedaling and covering up while generating virtually no meaningful offense.

In round two, the Caviteño connected with a sharp right hook–left hook combination that sent Sailike to the canvas for the first time. Though Sailike bravely beat the count, Llover sensed the finish and immediately pressed the attack. A final, clubbing left hook floored Sailike again, effectively ending the night.

The victory improved Llover’s spotless record to 17-0 with 12 knockouts, further cementing his status as one of the region’s most dangerous prospects.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News