By Ryan Burton

Mandalay Bay, LAS VEGAS, NV -Tevin Farmer had to overcome a lot of obstacles to position himself for a title shot last night.  The Philadelphia native started off his career with a 7-4-1 record and seemed destined to become a journeyman in the sport. He also was shot in his left hand in July and his trainer admitted that his fighter was at less than 100% last night.

Farmer was unfazed by his slow start and reeled off 18 consecutive victories which lead him to his shot at the vacant IBF super featherweight title fight last night.

Farmer ended up losing a split decision to Kenichi Ogawa. The scores were 116-112 for Farmer and 116-112 and 115-113 for Ogawa. Most of press row believed that Farmer had done more than enough to get the victory.

Retired former pound-for-pound king Andre Ward - who was on the call for the HBO broadcast - also believed Farmer should have gotten the victory and is very confident that he will come back strong from this setback.

"I think Farmer got robbed but if he responds the right way to this but if he responds the right way to this and doesn't let it get him down - which I don't think it will because he has also bounced back in the ring and his personal life. This will make him better," Ward told BoxingScene.com.

In the main event Orlando Salido was stopped by Miguel Roman in 9 rounds.  After the fight Salido announced his retirement.

Ward believes that retirement was the best option for the shopworn 37-year-old Salido.

"It should be (his last fight). He has nothing else to prove. Yesterday at the fighter meeting he was saying all the right stuff but he looked tired. You could see it in his face. He has been in many many wars.  It is time and it is okay. He has sixty some odd fights," said Ward.

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