| |
|
VINVIN RUFINO LOSES OPBF TITLE FIGHT BY SPLIT DECISION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 07 Mar 2010
Filipino southpaw Vinvin Rufino has lost in his quest for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation featherweight title against Japan’s Naoki Matsuda who is ranked No. 13 by the WBC in Tokyo.
In what was an exciting and entertaining bout the 33 year old Matsuda (32-8-4, 13 KO’s) rose from a third round knockdown fought back ferociously to drop Rufino (28-11-3, 13 KO’s) once in the fourth round and twice more in the fifth to win what boxing writer and Hall-of-Famer Joe Koizumi described as “a hard-fought split decision.”
Two judges scored it for the Japanese by margins of 114-111 and 114-112 while the third judge had Rufino the winner 114-111.
Koizumi reported that Matsuda who earned his WBC rankings following his upset win over Rudy Lopez in Mexico in 2007 “had a really tough time against the game, hard-hitting but fragile Filipino southpaw.” After the third round knockdown courtesy of a devastating left by Rufino it didn’t seem that Matsuda would recover especially since he also suffered a gash over the right eyebrow but he fought back with a vengeance to deck Rufino three times in the next two rounds.
The Filipino had his turn to claw back to take the sixth and ninth rounds and tried desperately to win the title in the last two rounds but Koizumi said the bloodied Matsuda gallantly fought back to earn the victory and the coveted OPBF crown.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
, Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
