Undefeated American Albert Bell scores with a jab against Filipino Mark Bernaldez in their ten-round lightweight match Thursday (Friday in Manila) in Las Vegas. Bell easily won by unanimous decision. (Top Rank photo)
By NICK GIONGCO
Mark Bernaldez became the first Filipino boxer to lose a bout during the pandemic when he suffered a shutout 10-round decision to American Albert Bell on Friday (Thursday in the US) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Bernaldez was attempting to duplicate stablemate Mike Plania’s upset victory last June 16.
The scores were lopsided. All three judges – Tim Cheatham, Richard Ocasio and Max De Luca – saw it 100-90 for the long-armed, six-foot Bell.
Bernaldez, shorter by six inches, was the recipient of Bell’s bombs thrown from afar.
The win boosted Bell’s mark to 17-0 with 5 KOs while the loss dropped Bernaldez’s ledger to 20-4 with 14 KOs.
Bernaldez was the third Filipino puncher to see action during the COVID-19 times after Plania and Reymond Yanong last week also in Las Vegas.
Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. promoted the event in coordination with the Nevada Athletic Commission to guarantee that safety measures are observed.
Yanong is returning to the ring next week while a couple of others will resurface in the next few weeks in other promotions.
