HEADBUTTS once again ruined what was shaping up to be an interesting duke-out last Saturday at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel.
The ring physician ruled Rey Bautista unfit to continue due to a nasty gash on his forehead, and the fight went to the cards. All the judges had it for ?Boom-Boom? with scores of 69-65, and, 68-65, twice.
BOOING. So what was the booing all about when the local favorite had his hand raised in victory? Well, allow me to speculate.
First, I thought the fight was much closer than the scorecards suggested. For the record I had Ruiz up by a round, which means of course that I had the fight close and could arguably be won by either fighter.
Since I am not given to infallibility like the boxing experts?as a rule of thumb after I come up with my score, I give it a +2 and -2 either way.
That simply means that after providing ample room for error, the fight could have reasonably been scored a draw, or Bautista up by one.
Ergo, I thought the scores were just a tad too wide. But of course, I?m just a boxing junkie, what do I know?
But then again, this could explain the smattering of boos.
EXPECTATIONS. For the record also, I was in good company. There were some media personalities and some hardcore fight fans who thought Ruiz edged the fight.
Which is why the score of 69-65 was difficult to digest. That means Ruiz only won one round in a fight that was otherwise fought in ebbs and tides with each fighter having his moments in every round.
Finally, the fans probably expected a better showing from Bautista. Regardless of the result, Cebuano fans are known to be quite demanding and exacting from their heroes and considering that Bautista blamed the first loss on an injury and vowed to avenge it, the fans expected a dominant and riveting performance from him.
BODY SHOTS. I watched the replays on television the next day and I stand by my score.
The monkey in the wrench is the seventh round. Since the fight was stopped with just less than a minute gone by, it was difficult to score. But in a close fight, that could have been the clincher.
In the replay, I did notice something that escaped me ringside. I thought Ruiz was wilting under the body attack unleashed by Bautista, who though trailing on my card, was gaining some momentum.
As Antonio L. Aldeguer opined, Bautista could have been on his way to a stoppage win had the fight not been stopped.
Is a third fight coming up?
Apart from the logistical concerns, there?s the style factor to consider. Both pugs like to move in throwing short punches and hooks. Neither is a fluid boxer.
Ergo, we could have another ugly fight on our hands which could potentially be unmarketable–although admittedly, a tie-breaker is always too good to pass up.
PAGARA. The aphorism that punching power is the greatest equalizer holds true for Jason Pagara.
Despite an obvious lack of pop in his gloves, Juan Carlos Gallegos kept things honest and competitive with Pagara, even managing to welt up and mark the latter?s face.
However, in the fourth round, he caught the visitor with a brutal left hook that had the Mexican out on his feet with nasal fluids spewing out of his nose.
SIDE BET. If you read my last column, you will know that I owe my kumpare Al Mendoza a case of cold brew and ceviche. Your call sir, on when you wish to imbibe the fruits of your fulfilled prophecy
No skullduggery here, folks. Promise.
Joining me at ringside was a good friend, Panamanian Carlos Costa, a boxing fan who now writes for www.notifight.com. Check it out, guys.
LAST ROUND. It?s on Christian Jay Valdez, who celebrates his birthday this week. Cheers!
