Suico squanders chance to stardom

BEING matched against patsy foes finally took its toll for Filipino boxer Randy Suico.

The lanky 25-year-old Suico lost a 10-round majority decision Friday night (Los Angeles Time) to former world lightweight champion Javier Jauregui of Mexico at the USC Lyon Center in Los Angeles, California.

For most part of the fight, Suico fought flat-footed and showed little defense which the usually rugged Jauregui took advantage of.

Instead of fighting the typical Mexican way, Jauregui (50-12-2, 34 KOs) used his vast experience as a former champion by toying with an unguarded Suico and stinging the Filipino boxer with crisp counter shots and jabs.

Judges Ray Corona and Jack Reiss had it 99-91 both for Jauregui while Chuck Hassett had a surprising 95-95 mark.

It would have been Suico’s biggest break in his seven-year career where a win could have given the Cebuano fighter a better leverage of challenging World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico.

Suico, the Oriental 130-lb ruler since 2002, is rated #3 in the WBC ladder behind Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and Mexican idol Erik Morales.

Suico was once regarded by no less than Pacquiao as a formidable star in his division if pitted against fairly excellent challengers.

Pacquiao made the opinion when he sparred with Suico in a title preparation two years ago.

Since then, Suico, gently managed by Japanese boxing writer Joe Koizumi, made plaything of nameless Asian fighters in tallying a supposed frightening record of 23-1 with 20 KO’s.

Suico’s latest debacle dropped his record to 23-2 with his perceived lofty WBC ratings to follow suit.