By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Dennis Laurente lost his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation lightweight title when he dropped a split decision in a grudge rematch with Japan’s Chikashi Inada at the famed Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo Saturday night. Well-known Japanese matchmaker, boxing manager and journalist Joe Koizumi reported that Inada “scored significant points in the tenth and eleventh rounds, winning a slut but well-deserved decision over twelve sizzling rounds.”

 

Significantly, scoring referee Anek Hongtongkan of Thailand scored it 116-111 for Inada and Japanese judge Takashi Shimakawa 117-113 also for his countryman but Filipino judge Edwin Sese had Laurente the winner 115-112 once again raising questions about the impartiality of OPBF judges where the rules allow for one judge from each of the fighters countries.

 

According to Koizumi Inada used his jab effectively to win three of the first four rounds but Laurente “changed his strategy and occasionally bored in to confuse the Japanese with wild punches in the fifth.” A clash of heads opened up a nasty gash on Inada’s forehead in the tenth round but this only spurred the challenger’s fighting spirit enabling him to “dominate the tenth and eleventh rounds by a clear margin” according to Koizumi. Laurente was also penalized a point in the eleventh round for coming “with his head forward so roughly.”

 

In the end Inada was able to avenge his loss to Laurente in a majority decision in their last meeting in a fight where promoter Akihiko Honda assailed the scorecard of Filipino judge Ramon Flores who had Laurente the winner 119-109 prompting the influential Japanese to protest against biased judging to both the OPBF and the Philippine Games and Amusements Board. With his loss Laurente, the WBC No. 7 drops to 21-2-4 with 11 knockouts while Inada improves to 17-2 with 12 KO’s.

 

In a supporting bout fast-rising Japanese KO artist Ichitaro Ishii came off the canvas in the second round to turn the tables on Philippine lightweight champion Fernando Montilla who is ranked No. 2 by the OPBF decking the Filipino for the full count with a vicious left hook at 2:12 of the sixth round. Ishii improved to 12-1-1 with all twelve victories coming by way of knockouts while Montilla dropped to 28-15-3 with 19 KO’s.