By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine welterweight champion Dondon Sultan who was not given much attention in media scored a spectacular first round knockout to win the Pan Asian Boxing Association champion title from undefeated champion Anton Solopov of Russia on Surgut, Russia while the highly publicized Jimrex Jaca lost a unanimous decision to Japan’s Nobuhito Honmo in a battle for the vacant OPBF super featherweight title in Tokyo, Saturday.
The 27 year old Sultan improved his record to 14-6-3 with 7 knockouts while the 24 year old Solopov who is managed by former world champion Kostya Tszyu suffered his first defeat after 12 wins, 9 by knockout. It was Sultan’s second title shot after he lost to Thailand’s Parkpoom Jangphonak in October 2005. The Thai in turn lost the title to the southpaw Solopov in January this year.
Well known Japanese journalist, matchmaker and manager of former champion Randy Suico who vacated the title to move up to lightweight said Jaca was beaten by the speed and slick punching of Honmo who withstood a furious attack by the Filipino southpaw in the first five rounds but retaliated to almost sweep the second half of the twelve round bout.
All three judges scored it for Honmo including Filipino journalist and boxing judge Salven Lagumbay who had the Japanese the winner 116-112 with scoring referee Craig Waller turning in a 117-114 scorecard and Japan’s Yuji Fukuchi 116-113 for Honmo who is ranked No. 6 by the WBC and No. 9 by the WBA.
Jaca who is managed by Rex "Wakee" Salud was bothered by cut over his right eye caused by an accidental head-butt in the sixth round while Honmo suffered a gash over his right eyebrow from a solid blow from Jaca in the fourth round. Koizumi blamed Jaca’s corner for a strategic mistake in not asking the Filipino to work to the mid-section early in the fight which may have stopped the surge of the Japanese in the second half of the fight.
Honmo improved to 28-4-2 with 5 knockouts while Jaca dropped to 26-2-1 with 12 KO’s. The hard fight and the cuts suffered by Jaca may raise questions about his scheduled fight on the July 2 under-card of the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios showdown at the Araneta Coliseum.
