Filipino Jun Paderna gave one of the best performances of his career to push former world champ Gairy St Clair to a majority decision in Sydney tonight.
St Clair, who gave streaking lightweight Amir Khan a tough time over 12 rounds in his previous bout in London, needed all his silky skills to evade Paderna’s power shots in their six-rounder.
Paderna had broken the jaw of hot Aussie prospect Heath Ellis in his last fight.
St Clair, the former IBF junior-lightweight champ notched his 40th win (17 KOs) against six losses and two draws.
He outpointed Casius Baloyi for the IBF crown in July 2006 in South Africa and lost it four months later to another South African, Malcolm Klassen.
Paderna slips to 9-10-2 (4 KOs).
Paderna took the fight to St Clair early, but the Sydney-based Guyanan drew on his vast experience to win the last three rounds on all cards with some slick jabbing and accurate power punches.
St Clair said his next fight could be a contest for the vacant IBO junior lightweight title in the NSW town of Taree against an opponent to be arranged.
