Araneta and Paclar lose close decisions in South Africa
Just moments ago fight fans tuning in to SuperSport 4 in South Africa saw local favourite Sivenathi Nontshinga (10-0, 9) book his place in an IBF Light Flyweight world title fight, as he narrowly over-came Filipino fighter Christian Araneta (19-2, 15).
The bout, which took place in Eastern Cape, South Africa, looked like a brilliant one going in and one that was almost certainly going to be explosive, with both men being huge punchers down at 108lsb. Instead however the bout was more of a cerebral one, with both men boxing rather than going all out for a KO. Both men were very even and showed real respect to the other. It had the feeling that both really respected the other man far too much at times, though it allowed both men to show off their actual boxing, rather than their power.
As the rounds went one it clear neither man was able to dominate. Both had success at range, and both wanted to lure the other into taking a risk, where they could counter with some power shots. Sadly for Araneta however it was never going to be a good idea to leave it in the hands of the judges, something he seemed willing to do until it was too late.
In In the final round Araneta finally had a big break through, dropping Nonthshinga to secure a 10-8 round. Given how close the rest of the bout was, it perhaps could have been enough to swing the judges his way, however with Araneta being away from home it turned out that he needed more.
After 12 rounds the scorecards were turned in 114-113, twice, and 115-112, all in favour of the local, who was certainly seemed to get a touch of good fortune.
Sadly for Filipino fight fans Araneta wasn't the only Pinoy to come up short on the scorecards. That was because earlier on the card Jerald Paclar (15-5-3, 8) was also denied in a close decision, as he was narrowly out pointed by Yanga Sigqibo (15-1-1, 4). These two were battling for a WBO minor title at Super Flyweight and, like the main event, the two were well matched with neither man really dominating the action. Paclar performed much better than his record suggested, and really ran Sigqibo razor close, in a bout that several fans in South Africa seemed to feel was a draw.
After 12 rounds however the judges turned in scores of 116-112, twice and 116-113, all to Sigqibo, who perhaps should also feel somewhat lucky.
Sadly for Filipino fighters they have never had any luck in getting decisions in South Africa, and perhaps it's now a case that leaving fights in the hands of judges is not an option going forward.
The bout, which took place in Eastern Cape, South Africa, looked like a brilliant one going in and one that was almost certainly going to be explosive, with both men being huge punchers down at 108lsb. Instead however the bout was more of a cerebral one, with both men boxing rather than going all out for a KO. Both men were very even and showed real respect to the other. It had the feeling that both really respected the other man far too much at times, though it allowed both men to show off their actual boxing, rather than their power.
As the rounds went one it clear neither man was able to dominate. Both had success at range, and both wanted to lure the other into taking a risk, where they could counter with some power shots. Sadly for Araneta however it was never going to be a good idea to leave it in the hands of the judges, something he seemed willing to do until it was too late.
In In the final round Araneta finally had a big break through, dropping Nonthshinga to secure a 10-8 round. Given how close the rest of the bout was, it perhaps could have been enough to swing the judges his way, however with Araneta being away from home it turned out that he needed more.
After 12 rounds the scorecards were turned in 114-113, twice, and 115-112, all in favour of the local, who was certainly seemed to get a touch of good fortune.
Sadly for Filipino fight fans Araneta wasn't the only Pinoy to come up short on the scorecards. That was because earlier on the card Jerald Paclar (15-5-3, 8) was also denied in a close decision, as he was narrowly out pointed by Yanga Sigqibo (15-1-1, 4). These two were battling for a WBO minor title at Super Flyweight and, like the main event, the two were well matched with neither man really dominating the action. Paclar performed much better than his record suggested, and really ran Sigqibo razor close, in a bout that several fans in South Africa seemed to feel was a draw.
After 12 rounds however the judges turned in scores of 116-112, twice and 116-113, all to Sigqibo, who perhaps should also feel somewhat lucky.
Sadly for Filipino fighters they have never had any luck in getting decisions in South Africa, and perhaps it's now a case that leaving fights in the hands of judges is not an option going forward.