By Rey Danseco

Philippine champion Elmer Gejon narrowly missed the opportunity to become the eight Filipino titleholder of the World Boxing Council (WBC) International minimumweight title Friday night in East London, South Africa.

South Africa’s hope in the 105-pound class, Tshepo Lefele, won on the scorecards. Two of his three compatriot judges at ringside scored the fight in Lefele's favor to help him earn a very close majority decision over 12 rounds in the Orient Theatre..

Judge Siya Vabaza saw it 115-113 and Tony Nyangiwe had it 114-113, both in favor of Lefele. The third official Siphiwo Mbini saw it a 114-114 even.

Lefele’s victory gave him the distinction as the second South African occupant of that important throne after Morgan Ndumo won it in 1995. It will also lead the WBC no. 20 ranked Lefele to get closer or maybe take a spot within the top 10 of the WBC's world rankings.

While the defeat will push down the current No. 17 contender Gejon’s position in his WBC ratings. Filipino champions at that level remain as follows: Juanito Rubillar, Manny "Cabalay" Melchor, Rocky Palma, Zarlit Rodrigo, Ernesto Rubillar and Arman De La Cruz.

It was the first official loss for Gejon in two fights this year, although it should be the second.

In his previous fight on March 28, a title defense in his hometown of Mandaue City, Gejon was benefited of allegedly blatant miscarriage of justice. The decision was described by credible national newspapers and sportscasters as a “Mockery in Mandaue” when he earned a controversial unanimous decision against his second challenger, Carlo Besares.

“On our scorecards, Besares is the new Philippine champion in the 105-pound limit,” quoted Al S. Mendoza as saying. Mendoza, along with respected broadcaster Ed Pecson and reporter-columnist-sports analyst Quinito Henson, agreed that Salven Lagumbay, who is only a contributing writer in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (where Mendoza writes), Nonoy Pontrias and Arnel Passion blatantly cheated Besares with 114-112, 114-113 and 117-112 decisions respectively.

“The mockery in Mandaue is the kind of judging that destroys the future of Philippine boxing. Thus, wonder no more why we only have one world-class fighter at the moment: Manny Pacquiao,” Mendoza added.