BY Ronnie Nathanielsz
Hard-hitting Bert Batawang, the top rated Filipino light flyweight failed in his attempt to wrest the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation title from champion Shingo Yamaguchi of Japan, losing by a split decision in Tokyo on Monday night.
Well known Japanese boxing manager, matchmaker and journalist Joe Koizumi reported that Yamaguchi "confused and frustrated" Batawang and in the process nullified the Filipino's highly-regarded punching power. Yamaguchi who is ranked No. 9 by the WBC made a good start using quick combinations to frustrate the slower Batawang to take the first six rounds before the southpaw Batawang fought back with roundhouse lefts in the seventh. However, Yamaguchi quickly recovered and pinned Batawang with a flurry of punches in the eighth and then dominated the eleventh to confirm the victory.
Koizumi said Filipino judge Severino Necessario "amazingly scored the fight for Batawang 115-113" while the two other judges David Chung of Korea scored it 116-113 for Yamaguchi while Japanese judge Masakazu Uchida also had the champion a comfortable winner 117-113.
Koizumi reported that Necessario's tally "didn't necessarily indicate his proper judgement of the fight but his nationalism" which resulted in "severe criticism by the crowd." Yamaguchi improved to 16-3-2 with 7 knockouts while Batawang dropped to 32-11-3, 26 KO's