Saulong not Arce-like in loss
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 10 Mar 2018
Filipino challenger Ernesto Saulong failed in his attempt to execute a Jorge Arce-type of offense and lost a unanimous 12-round decision to IBF superbantamweight champion Ryosuke Iwasa at the 11,098-seat Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Stadium in Tokyo recently.
Saulong had hoped to use an aggressive style, a never-say-die attitude and a thoroughbred?s stamina to dethrone Iwasa but couldn?t pin down the elusive Japanese champion who controlled the fight from a distance. New Zealand judge Ian Scott had it 119-109 while Japanese judge Katsuhiro Nakamura scored a shutout 120-108 and Filipino judge Greg Ortega saw it 118-110, all for Iwasa who made his first defense of the crown he wrested from countryman Yukinori Oguni in Osaka last September.
Saulong?s trainer Joven Jimenez, who worked his corner, said Iwasa?s hit-and-run style made it difficult for the No 13 contender to attack with pressure. ?Ayaw makipagsabayan si Iwasa,? said Jimenez. ?Last four rounds na, nakatama si Saulong ng husto but hindi naka-follow up kasi nakayakap agad ang kalaban.?
Jimenez said the decision was fair. ?Walang sugat si Saulong,? he said. ?Pinuntusan lang ni Iwasa. Tinamaan din siya ni Saulong pero hindi napuruhan.? Jimenez said he?s not losing hope on Saulong. ?Sigurado ako maka-world title shot muli kasi yung performance niya maganda naman at pang-world class,? he added. ?Hindi one-sided every round. Ang dapat ayusin ni Saulong ay coordination ng paa at kamay, timing at galing pa sa labas ang suntok. Yung tibay at experience, nandiyan na.?
Filipino matchmaker Johnny Elorde said Iwasa?s win was convincing. ?Sa umpisa pa lang, nag-aantay at ayaw sumuntok si Saulong at naka-depensa lang,? he said. ?Kulang sa suntok. Mga after seven or eight rounds na sumuntok. Nakatama naman pero late na siya bumira. Maganda yung jab-straight ni Iwasa. Lamang talaga yung Iwasa.?
Jimenez said Saulong was well-trained for the fight. He sparred over 80 rounds with IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, former WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight titlist A. J. Banal and unbeaten superfeatherweight Jerald Daniega at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite. Jimenez said Iwasa fights like Shinsuke Yamanaka, who reigned as WBC bantamweight king from 2011 to 2017, and Saulong like Mexican warrior Arce. ?Magaling sa harapan si Iwasa at si Saulong parang si Arce, pasok ng pasok,? he said. ?Gusto ni Saulong nasa loob at hindi na lalabas. Mas sanay siya sa loob. Toe to toe, mas pabor din kay Saulong.?
Although this was only Saulong?s third overseas outing after trips to China and South Africa, Jimenez said he wasn?t intimidated by the hostile crowd. ?Hindi nanibago,? he said. ?Handang-handa at magandang kondisyon.? However, Saulong just couldn?t unload his Sunday punches, the uppercut and right straight, with consistency.
Kenny Chevalier of Maryland was the third man in the ring. Iwasa, 28 like Saulong, has now won his last six outings in raising his record to 25-2, with 12 KOs. Iwasa?s two losses were inflicted by Yamanaka and English southpaw Lee Haskins. Among Iwasa?s victims were Filipinos Glenn Medura, Dennis Tubieron, Marlon Arcilla, Ricardo Roa, Richard Pumicpic, Jecker Buhawe, Mark John Yap, Jerope Mercado and Marvin Tampus. Saulong scaled 121.5 pounds and Iwasa, 121.75 at the weigh-in.
Photo: Japan's Ryosuke Iwasa (L) throws a left at Ernersto Saulong of the Philippines during their world title fight in Tokyo recently.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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