By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Rey Orais of the Philippines has been knocked out in the third round of a Pan Asia Boxing Association light flyweight title fight against champion Nethra Sasiprapa in Chonburi, Thailand.
It was Orais’ second successive KO loss and raised serious questions over the mismatch being sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board since the champion was undefeated with 16 wins including 6 by knockouts while Orais, according to boxrec.com had 13 defeats as against only 7 wins and 1 draw with 2 KO’s.
When he was knocked out by Bert Batawang at 1:14 of the first round in Talisay City last December 8, Orais was in bad shape and had to be taken out on a stretcher and rushed to the nearest hospital for a CTScan. Viva Sports which covered the fight for its top-rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event” on RPN 9 requested the GAB to take a close look at Orais and even suggested it should consider canceling his license to prevent him from suffering further harm in the ring.
However, the GAB apparently believed such action was not necessary and approved his PABA title fight despite the disparity in the records of Orais and Sasiprapa. In the title showdown Orais was dropped twice in the second round and was counted out after getting nailed by a right straight in round three.
If the GAB actually approved the title fight it raises serious questions of judgment. In addition one wonders how a fighter who was knocked out in a local fight in his previous ring appearance could be allowed to battle an undefeated champion in a regional title fight in his next outing.
