By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation lightweight champion Dennis Laurente defends his title in a grudge rematch with Japan’s Chikashi Inada at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Saturday.
The 27 year old southpaw who has a ring record of 24-1-4 with 11 knockouts retained his title with a majority decision over Inada. Korean judge Dae-EunChung scored the fight even at 115-115 while Japanese judge Nobuaki Uratani had Laurente the winner by a point 115-114. However, Filipino judge Ramon Flores had Laurente the winner by a lopsided 119-109.
Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda was reportedly furious over Flores’ scorecard and according to matchmaker Joe Koizumi sent a “strong protest” to OPBF president Frank Quill of Australia. Koizumi at the same time said Honda had requested the Philippine Games and Amusements Board to designate “a fair and square judge” this time.
Flores was summoned by former GAB commissioner Emmanuel Palabrica based on a story in the Manila Standard and reprimanded by Palabrica for his biased judging.
Koizumi predicted the fight would be “as competitive as their first encounter” even as he indicated that Laurente was “a very puzzling southpaw.” Inada is coming off a third round TKO over Evert Moreno in Panama last December and has an impressive ring record of 16-2 with 12 knockouts.
