Controversial Round: Kaensa decisions Enriquez to claim WBA Asia Title; Round 7 appears to have been shortened to help Kaensa survive (Photos + Video)
By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Fri, 30 Jun 2017
Despite almost being knocked out of combat during the action in round 7, WBA #13 Yutthana Kaensa (also known as Stamp Kiatniwat) claimed the WBA 112-lb Asia title via a unanimous decision win over tough Filipino Michael "Blade" Enriquez (13-7-1, 9 KO's) on Thursday (June 29) in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.
From the get-go, the battle was an intense power-punch exchange with vicious bombs being thrown from the brave combatants who never backed away from conflict; the heavy-handed more experienced Thai Kaensa (Stamp) appeared leading actions landing tough.
At the end of round six the Thai continued scoring good.
But earlier on in round 7 an explosive, hellish left hook unleashed by Enriquez, 25, powered down the rocked Thailander to the canvas. The Thai fighter got up to take the eight count from the veteran third man.
Once up, Enriquez pursued his prey, willing to end matters right there, throwing and landing with the Thai boxer in reverse absorbing Filipino-made leather.
Then, at minute 1:45 when the Thai was fading away, the bell abruptly rang ending the round.
According to Enriquez's manager Jim Claude Manangquil, the bell that ended the 7th round came in too soon, precisely when Kaensa (Stamp) was in serious trouble, helping the Thai boxer survive a sure demise.
"This is unfair and against rules in a boxing match. I will file a formal complaint before WBA Asia authorities," said Mananquil today.
The Kaensa (Stamp Kiatniwat) VS Michael Enriquez fight video, just uploaded in Youtube appears to prove Manangquil's assertion that round ended way too early.
Fight supervisor Won Kim of WBA Asia has promised to review the timing in round 7.
In the Youtube video, Enriquez wears blue trunks, while Kaensa wears red. Round 7 begins at 16:50.
Fight Fans may time how long round 7 lasted. Timing and actions in the ring should be analyzed to draw conclusions.
The world-ranked Kaensa might have survived round 7 or not; might have won by points or not. But what happened with time in round 7 cast serious doubts on the legitimacy of Kaensa's triumph.
In addition, experienced Thailand referee Mr. Pinit Prayadsab did not appear to notice that the round might have lasted about half of what a normal round should last.
At the end of the controversial fight, the scorecards submitted by the All-Thai-judges panel voted: 116-112 and 115-112 (twice), all for the Thai boxer Kaensa.
Enriquez aims and scores on Kaensa's jaw.
Kaensa down in round 7.
Kaensa wins.
In contrast, Enriquez's head coach Romeo Brillantes Desabille saw the result as a hometown decision, which unfairly favored the local:
"Michael Enriquez lost a tough fight by UD. But his opponent Kaensa got knocked down bad during the 7th round. After the 12 rounds got completed, we lost a hometown decision.
"Thanks be to God that nothing bad happened to our boxer Enriquez, not even a little sign on his face of a 12 round fight. But there was no honor in ending a round ahead of time. Really sorry that we failed to bring the bacon."
"Understandably, Enriquez is disappointed for the moment, but he is a fighter with a positive attitude and will bounce back," added the boxer's manager.
Michael Enriquez is managed by Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions of General Santos City in the Philippines, while Yutthana Kaensa (Stamp) with a record of 17-1, 6 KO's is handled by Thailand boxing promotion outfit Galaxy Boxing of veteran Thai man of boxing Mr. Niwat Laosuwanwat.
