By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine super flyweight champion Eric Barcelona retained his title with a unanimous decision over promising Orlan Enriquez in an ugly fight that was constantly booed by the fans at the Casimiro Ynares Sr. Memorial Gymnasium in Binganonan late Saturday night.
Barcelona, a southpaw, resorted to constant holding and even several takedowns in the style of Agapito Sanchez against Manny Pacquiao, in the process hurting Enriquez who banged the back of his head against the canvas on more than one occasions.
International referee Ferdie Estrella who was clearly upset by the tactics of the champion penalized Barcelona on two occasions for his “unsportsmanlike conduct” but two of the three judges whose decision was also booed by the partisan fans had Barcelona the winner by an incredibly wide margin.
While veteran broadcaster/judge Edwin Sese had Barcelona winner by a slim one point, 113-112, two other judges despite the two-point deduction had Barcelona incredibly ahead by scores of 115-110 with Capt. Ramon Flores drawing the loudest catcalls for his 116-109 scorecard.
Enriquez who belongs to the Manny Pacquiao Golden Boy stable was downed with a low blow in round two which appeared to signal the intent of Barcelona who did however connect with flurries and used his experience against the comparative newcomer to good advantage.
In other more attractive fights RP No.1 featherweight Jaime Barcelona nailed No. 5 ranked Victor Man-On with a perfectly timed uppercut at the end of round nine to end the fight while veteran junior lightweight Jun Paderna scored a handy win over previously unbeaten Mike Farenas, a protégé of former world super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa.
