Controversial stoppage mars Gensan boxing match

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – A questionable referee decision to stop the fight with only 6 seconds left in the second round sent plenty of boxing fans fuming and disappointed at Robinson’s Mall Atrium, General Santos City on Sunday, June 7.

Boxing hopeful Daryl Basadre lost for only the second time when referee Ramil Uvalo waived his hands to signal the end of the fight after 22-year old boxer tripped and tumbled backwards after escaping from the barrage of punches by Kenny Demecillo in his own corner.

Basadre lost in his bid to capture the World Boxing Association Oceania bantamweight crown.

Uvalo defended his decision to stop the fight saying Basadre was defenseless. 

But a review of the fight showed Basadre was able to free himself from the corner but fell down as he retreated.  

There was no punch thrown when he fell backwards. 

Manager Jim Claude Manangquil and his co-manager Dexter Tan of Sanman Promotions vehemently protested the decision but the fight supervisors upheld the referee. 

Basadre was leading on points as he took the first round by repeatedly rocking the Cebu-based Demecillo. 

He was scoring heavily in the second round until Demecillo tagged him with less than 20 seconds left in the second round.

A judge who scored the fight but who requested that his name be withheld said Uvalo erred in his decision.

Games and Amusement Board Region 11 officer in charge Jaime Mata however defended Uvalo and said it was a judgment call by the referee. 

“Maybe in his judgment Basadre was already defenseless. The safety of the boxer comes first,” he said.

WBA Oceania supervisor Ferlin Marsh also said he was satisfied with the decision of the referee. 

Basadre dropped to 14-2-1 with 10 KO victories.

In the main supporting bout, Harmonito dela Torre hardly sweated as he sent Eusebio Baluarte to the canvass twice in the fourth round to earn his 6^th straight KO victory and improved his undefeated record to 15 victories. 

It was dela Torre’s 11^th KO win. 

In another exciting bout, Rinmar Metuda scored a hard fought unanimous decision win over tough Jerry Castroverde in the afternoon’s most exciting bout. 

Metuda dropped Castroverde in the second round with a wicked right hook. 

In the fourth round, however, Castroverde returned the favor by knocking down the Gensan kid with a grazing left. 

The two exchanged heavy blows throughout the scheduled 8-round fight but Metuda prevailed by scoring the more telling blows. 

Other results:  

Mike Angelo Plaña eked out a dull unanimous win over showboating journeyman Philip Parcon.

Hometown boy Marquil Salvaña showed too much class for Roger Chavez and scored a 4^th round TKO victory.

Also winning by stoppage were Junie Salogaol who TKOed Armand Yee in 2^nd round, Reymart Gaballo who made a short workout over Rocky Alvarez in the first round and Joyjoy Formentera who retired Allan Doronilla in the 2^nd round. 

Jonathan Francisco outlasted Reymund Dayham over 6 rounds while Joey Antonio won by unanimous decision over 4 rounds against Gerald Barcenas. – Rappler.com