Filipino boxer Khurvin John Natuplag lost his battle in the ring, but won the heart of his fiancée, who agreed to his marriage proposal following a knockout loss in Dubai over the weekend.
Natuplag failed to defend his World Boxing Organization Oriental featherweight title after absorbing a technical knockout loss to Chinese Liu Wensong a scheduled 10-round title bout in the Fight Club Championship 3 at the Vic Sports Complex.
A powerful left cross caught Natuplag’s chin and two more unanswered right and left followed, sending him to the canvas and forcing the referee to waive the fight off in favor of the Chinese.
Win or lose, however, Natuplag already had a plan to surprise his girlfriend, Jade Kelly Custodio.
A Filipina nurse working in Dubai, Custodio was actually a member of his team. She went up the ring to assist her boyfriend boxer following the stoppage.
Natuplag, already recovered from the knockout, took out the engagement ring and presented it to the surprised Custodio, who accepted the proposal with a quick “yes.”
Managed by fellow Dawrin Miller-Depay from Benguet, Natuplag, and Custodio plan to go back to the Philippines to arrange their wedding.
Natuplag bagged the WBO Oriental featherweight belt after knocking out Boonrueang Phayom of Thailand in the 2nd round on Nov. 12 last year, also in Dubai.
With 11 wins against 4 losses, Natuplag hopes to bounce back and look for a rematch with Wensong.