Igorot boxer knocks out unbeaten Thai fighter, brings home WBC Australasia Minimumweight Gold Title

SPORTS

SADANGA, Mountain Province — Igorot boxer Renden Gongran “Take Over” Oppas delivered a dominant performance in Australia, stopping previously unbeaten Thai fighter Jirakrit Jarurattanachai by technical knockout (TKO) in the fourth round to capture the vacant WBC Australasia Minimumweight Gold Title on August 29 in Ballarat, Victoria.

The 25-year-old boxer from Saclit, Sadanga, Mountain Province, scored the career-defining victory in the main event of the Road to Contender boxing card, moving him closer to his goal of entering the WBC world rankings and eventually fighting for a world championship.

Oppas overwhelmed Jarurattanachai with sustained attacks, prompting the referee to stop the bout in the fourth round and hand the Igorot fighter the regional title.

The victory came after Oppas underwent intensive physical and mental preparation for the international bout. Despite facing an undefeated opponent, he said he remained focused on his training and trusted the work he had put in.

“I put my time and focus on training sharpening my skills, physical and mental condition to withstand pressure during the fight. I just trusted myself and the hard training I went through and I just prayed,” Oppas said.

Filipino crowd fuels victory

Oppas also credited the Filipino community in Australia for helping make the night special.

A number of Filipinos traveled to watch and support the Mountain Province boxer, giving him an opportunity to fight in front of a home-away-from-home crowd.

“I feel good and overwhelmed especially many Filipinos also came to watch the fight and I was able to give them a good and exciting fight, and I know they enjoyed the moment,” he said.

From Mountain Province to Australia

Oppas began his boxing journey during his high school years in Mountain Province, competing in district and provincial meets before moving to La Trinidad, Benguet.

There, he met Coach Nathan Bolcio, who helped develop his boxing skills while Oppas continued his studies. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Baguio while pursuing his boxing career.

His professional journey has since taken him outside the Philippines, including consecutive bouts in Thailand where he recorded victories over Ne Lin Aung, Naruebet Konnuam and Wachirawit Sanpakorn.

In April 2026, Oppas also captured the WBC Australia Minimumweight Title in Melbourne. He described that bout as the toughest fight of his career, citing not only the opponent but also the challenges of competing in an unfamiliar environment.

His latest win adds another major title to his growing record.

Eyes world rankings

With the WBC Australasia title now in his hands, Oppas is hoping the victory will help propel him into the WBC world rankings and create opportunities for bigger international fights.

“Hopefully, if I would be in the WBC world rankings, this would create an opportunity for me to fight for world title and attract more possible fight in the future. For now, I will be waiting to defend my title and just wait for any possible fight,” he said.

A message to young Igorot fighters

Oppas also encouraged aspiring boxers from the Cordillera to dream big, work hard and surround themselves with people who share their goals.

“Just do your thing be with someone who have same goals as you dream big and work hard for it be prepared for the opportunity,” he said.

From school boxing rings in Mountain Province to the international stage in Australia, Oppas' latest fourth-round stoppage marks another powerful step toward his ultimate goal: breaking into the world's elite and eventually fighting for a world championship.