In what was a terrible mismatch that exposed the Philippine Games and Amusements Board?s handling of the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation leadership, Pinoy fighter Joel DeLa Cruz lost by a 6th round knockout against former Japanese champion Suyon Takayama in an OPBF welterweight Interim title fight in Tokyo, yesterday.
The records of the two fighters demonstrated the disparity with Takayama entering the ring with a record of 24-1 with 8 knockouts and Dela Cruz sporting a miserable tally of 19 wins 23 defeats, 3 draws and 7 knockouts.
Takayama caught Dela Cruz with a vicious body shot to end the contest at 2:53 of the 6th round.
Having retained his national title six times Takayama relinquished the crown and engaged in the OPBF Interim title bout.
Boxing writer Joe Koizumi who also doubles up as a matchmaker said that despite his mediocre credentials, Dela Cruz fought well but that Takayama had the upperhand all throughout and kept piling up the points and at the end of four ropunds on the open scoring system led by a shutout on the cards of two judges 40-36 with the third judge having the Japanese ahead 39-37.
In the sixth round Takayama connected with a cracking uppercut before a body shot sent the Filipino to the canvas grimacing in pain.
Photo courtesy of Sumio Yamada.
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