By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Well known Japanese journalist, matchmaker and boxing manager Joe Koizumi said yesterday afternoon that Filipino boxer Ayon Naranjo was recovering in hospital after taking a bad beating at the hands of undefeated Venezuelan puncher Jorge Linares Sunday.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Koizumi appeared to be irritated when questioned about Naranjo’s condition. It took a second phone call to elicit a curt answer in which Koizumi said "He is alright. No problem. He doesn’t need surgery."
According tio Manny Pacquiao who was at ringside for the WBA title fight of Eriberto "Yukka" Gejon, Naranjo weighed 122 pounds to the 127 of Linares who had an impressive record of 17-0 with 10 knockouts while boxrec.com and Filipino boxing writer Nick Giongco reported Naranjo’s record was 3-4 with 1 KO.
Initial reports indicated that doctors at the Yokohama hospital had recommended Naranjo undergo brain surgery but subsequent reports said he was in the Intensive Care Unit and under observation.
The August ratings of the GAB had Naranjo who is managed by Leonil Lazarito at No.1 super bantamweight, inexplicably moving up from No. 3 in July despite losing his last two fights. Manila Standard also learned that Naranjo’s purse was only $800.
