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Philippines, 15 Feb 2026 |
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JAY SOLMIANO OF CATANDUANES, PHILIPPINES LOST A CLOSE SPLIT DECISION IN AN OPBF LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT IN JAPAN By Atty. Danrex Joseph V. Tapdasan PhilBoxing.com Wed, 05 Oct 2011  Philippine Lightweight Champion Jay ?Rapido? Solmiano (11-1-1, 7KOs) of Elorde Shaw Boxing Gym Mandaluyong City by way of San Andres, Catanduanes shocked the Japanese fans who were inside Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan when he fought Nihito Arakawa (21-1-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Lightweight Championship last October 4. Solmiano gave the Japanese all that he could handle. However, after 12 brutal rounds, Arakawa wrested the OBPF crown via a split verdict. The scores are as follows: 115-114 and 115-113 for Arakawa while the third judge had it 115-112 for Solmiano. This was the first taste of loss by the Philippine 135 lb. champ in his young professional boxing career. Team Solmiano stated that ?Jay knocked down Nihito Arakawa in the 2nd round and completely destroyed his face with eyes closed, and to top it off, broke his nose.? In addition, the team led by the partnership of Ryan Gabriel and June Camille Razon Baltazar expressed their intention to file a formal protest with the OBBF leadership and push for an immediate rematch. They said ?We have a lot of work to do while we are in Tokyo to ensure this rematch happens soon. We accept fair losses, but it was obvious to the eyes of the Japanese people that the real champion is Jay Solmiano since they themselves booed at the results.? Postscript: This OPBF Lightweight Title was the same belt previously held by Filipinos Randy ?Komong Bato? Suico of Mandaue City, Cebu (October 14, 2006 ? December 20, 2008) and Johnny Elorde Boxing Stable?s Dennis Laurente of Palompon, Leyte (November 23, 2001 ? March 5, 2005). Suico and Laurente both had 4 successful defenses before losing it to Japanese foes in their 5th defense of the crown. The writer is a lawyer by profession, a Professional Boxing Referee and Judge from the Philippines accredited by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), as well as a part of the pool of officials licensed by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF). He is an editor of boxrec.com. He can be reached at dvtapdasan.assoc@gmail.com Photo: June Camille Razon Baltazar (left) Jay Solmiano (middle) and Ryan Gabriel (right) before the fight. Credit: Elorde Shaw Click here to view a list of other articles written by Atty. Danrex Joseph V. Tapdasan.  |
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