STRANGE TWIST TO CONTROVERSIAL JACA DECISION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 28 Aug 2007
There’s was a strange twist to the technical draw called by internationally respected referee Bruce McTavish in the WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight title fight in which Jimrex Jaca retained his title when he deserved to lose it to Japanese challenger Ryu Miyagi.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today has learned that prior to the fight at the Rules meeting the Japanese signed a document stating that if he won the title from Jaca he would relinquish it. In fact the original wording said he would “denounce” the title which was considered harsh and unwarranted and was subsequently changed to “relinquish”.
The speculation is that since Japan has little or no respect or faith in the WBO, that’s what triggered the decision. Both WBO Asian Pacific executive Leon Panoncillio and the Games and Amusements Board officials headed by boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz were aware of the Miyagi decision since they were at the rules meeting.
This virtually turned the title fight into a farce. Nowhere in the world does a fighter sign a document stating he would relinquish the title if he won before even entering the ring. If such a decision was made it should have been done after the fight.
The obvious question is, why did the Jaca-Miyagi fight take place at all if the Japanese had decided to relinquish the title if he won? Indeed, what was he fighting for?
Perhaps we can now appreciate referee McTavish’s decision in a more reasonable light since in the tough situation that he was placed in, why should he have awarded the fight to Miyagi when he planned – to use their original language which was later changed – to “denounce” the title? That clearly reflects the attitude of the Japanese to the WBO which was, quite honestly, given respectability by the Philippines but eroded much of it by their hand-picked referee – Samuel Viruet and judges Raul Caiz and Chuck Giampa who robbed Z “The Dream” Gorres of the WBO super flyweight title in his bout with Fernando Montiel right in Gorres’ own hometown.
This latest caper and the continuing parade of Thai patsies as opponents in most fights in the Philippines, some of them with fake records, is bound to eventually result in a total loss of respect for the WBO, at least in this part of the world.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025