Dark year for Filipino world boxing champs
By Jesus A. Garcia, Jr.
THE world title fight between our very own world champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo versus Rey Vargas of Mexico for the WBC featherweight crown last Sunday in San Antonio, Texas was not shown live on television, unlike before. But being ardent boxing fans, we watched the battle on YouTube and saw how our reigning world titleholder, the five-foot-six Magsayo fought bravely and outboxed the taller Mexican, but it was not enough to convince two of the three ring judges. He lost via a split decision despite knocking down the five-foot-ten Chicano in the 9th round. Many boxing fans, too, called it ‘foul’ when two of the three judges Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland both scored it 115-112 for Vargas while judge Jessie Reyes tallied 114-113 for Magsayo, which was just like mine. At the very least, the verdict should have been a draw and Magsayo should have retained his belt. No, I’m not biased being born here. While my mother was a Filipina, my father was a full-blooded Mexican so I can say that the two protagonists are my half-country mates.
Magsayo’s defeat was his first and also his first title defense after wresting the title from American Garry Russel, Jr. last January. He was our fifth world champion to fall this year. It has been a rough year for our five world champions, each one slowly falling one after the other. First to be outclassed was IBF superflyweight king Jerwin Ancajas last February. WBO bantamweight titlist, the flamboyant John Riel Casimero followed. He was stripped off his title last May for being overweight before the fight. The third was Nonito Donaire who lost his WBC bantamweight tiara last month while IBF minimumweight Rene Mark Cuatro yielded his crown only last July 1.
Ancajas will reportedly attempt to regain his IBF superflyweight diadem next month against Argentinia’s Fernando Martinez while Cuatro who lost on a split decision to Mexican Daniel Valladares might have a chance for a rematch against his conqueror for the same IBF minimumweight crown within the year. On the other hand, Magsayo vows to improve his craft and will do one or two more fights this year before he can be given another chance for a title battle, and it will not be the WBC title anymore because there was no rematch clause signed by the two. It could be the featherweight crowns of either the WBO, WBA, IBF or IBO. Let’s just wait and see. No reports yet about Casimero’s and Donaire’s opponents, so far.
As I’m writing this piece, July 14, I received a fresh report from sports reporter Judith Caringal that our world three-time champion in three different weight divisions (minimum, junior flyweight, flyweight) Donnie Nietes was not successful in seizing the WBO superflyweight (115 lbs.) crown from reigning world champion Kazuto Ioka via 12-round unanimous decision held in Ota City, Japan last night (July 13). The aging Nietes, 40, defeated Ioka on points in Macau four years ago in flyweight division. What’s memorable to me about him was when I went to Cebu City to watch his fight against Moises Fuentes of Mexico twice at the Waterfront Hotel many years ago for the minimum weight title. The first clash resulted in a draw, while the second was a technical knockout for Nietes. Fuentes was managed by former world featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera.
We are in a lull now, but I’m positive our pro boxers will make a good comeback soon.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me, I will gird you, though you have not known Me. ISAIAH 45: 5
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