by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Little known Filipino boxer Renren Tesorio has given former World Boxing Council flyweight champion Toshiyuki Igarashi a scare before losing by a 9th round technical decision in a scheduled ten round bout at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Tesorio gamely battled Igarashi who had won the title by a twelve round split decision from Sonny Boy Jaro on July 16, 2012 in Jaro’s first defense of the title he won with a stunning 6th round TKO over longtime champion and WBC “Fighter of the Decade” Pongsaklek Wonjongkam on July 16, 2012.

Igarashi lost the title by a unanimous twelve round decision to countryman Akira Yaegashi on April 8, 2013.

Asian Fight Scene reported that Tesorio fought like a veteran only to find himself at the losing end by technical decision at 1:03 of the penultimate round after the fight was stopped because of a cut suffered by Igarashi above his right eye following an accidental clash of heads.

All three Japanese judges had the former world champion ahead by the slimmest of margins – 87-86, 86-85 and 87-85.

The decision in favor of the southpaw Igarashi didn’t sit well with members of Tesorio’s team.

Filipino boxer and trainer Rey Orais who is based in Japan told Asian Fight Scene “It was a great fight. However, it was a hometown decision. Renren won the fight if they decided correctly. He beat up Igarashi who still won by hometown decision.”

Ringside reports said Tesorio who is unranked even by the Games and Amusements Board and was fighting abroad for the very first time, hammered Igarashi with left hooks and counter right straights had  the former world champion who depended mainly on his jab, in trouble several times.

Trainer Jonathan Penalosa, brother of former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa worked the corner of the 22 year old Tesorio whose record dropped to 13-5-3 with 4 knockouts.

Igarashi underwent surgery on his right shoulder following a fight with Omar Soto which the Japanese won by a 9th round knockout one year ago. His long layoff is believed to have affected the performance  of  the 30 year old Igarashi who improved his record to 19-2-1 with 11 knockouts.