CUARTO LOSES IBF TITLE BY SPLIT DECISION TO VALLADARES IN MEXICO

Rene Mark Cuatro of the Philippines failed to defend his IBF minimumweight belt when he lost to Mexican Daniel Valladares by split decision at Deportivo Revolución de San Nicolás de los Garza in Monterey, Mexico Friday night (Saturday in Manila). The scores were 116-111 and 115-112 in favor of the new champion and 114-113 in favor of the dethroned Filipino.

According to a report by the Mexican media, Valladares suffered two cuts courtesy of Cuatro's power punches but used his longer reach to control the fight.

MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons was critical to the decision and wanted a rematch.

“We feel like we absolutely won the fight. The referee had a bad night. He's usually a good referee, but he made some bad calls,” Gibbons said.

Cuatro's loss has left the Philippines with only one world champion in Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo. Magsayo meanwhile will defend his WBC featherweight belt this weekend in San Antonio, Texas against the dangerous former world champion and fellow undefeated Rey Vargas of Mexico.