Cuarto cries foul
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 03 Jul 2022
Cuarto.
Rene Mark Cuarto lost his IBF minimumweight crown to Mexico’s Daniel Valladares on a split 12-round decision in Monterrey yesterday morning (Manila time) but insisted he was victimized by dubious officiating from Arizona referee Wes Melton who ignored a knockdown and deducted a point for a third delay in fixing loose tape on his glove.
Judge Jonathan Davis of California scored it 116-111 and judge Daniel Sandoval 115-112, both for Valladares while judge Joel Elizondo of Texas saw it 114-113 for Cuarto. In the eighth frame, Cuarto hurt Valladares who went down from a flurry but Melton ruled it a slip. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, watching at ringside, said it was a clear knockdown. In the 10th, Melton slapped a point deduction on Cuarto for a delay to fix loose tape on his glove. The tape was loose again in the 11th and Melton cut it off instead of leading Cuarto to his corner for repairs. Gibbons said in his over three decades of involvement in boxing, he had never before witnessed a referee deduct a point for fixing loose tape.
Cuarto’s trainer Nonoy Neri fumed at the end of the bout. He said there was no way Valladares won the fight as he was bloodied from a scalp wound and cuts over both eyes. Neri said in the fourth round, an overhand right opened a deep cut in the corner of Valladares’ left eye while accidental butts left a small gash over the right eye and a scalp wound. Welton summoned the ringside physician to check on Valladares’ cuts at the start of the seventh and ninth rounds but allowed the fight to continue. Neri said if Welton waved it off, Cuarto would’ve won by TKO.
Gibbons said Cuarto will exercise the rematch clause in the fight contract. He’ll try to solicit support from sponsors to bring the return fight to Manila. Neri said weight was no problem but landing in Mexico four days before the fight made it difficult to shake off jet lag. Then, the hot weather didn’t help. Gibbons’ son Brendan, who assisted in Cuarto’s corner, said it was 94 degrees outside the arena and over 100 degrees inside. The humidity moistened the tape on Cuarto’s gloves and caused the loosening.
Cuarto said he felt Valladares’ punches but wasn’t bothered. In the late rounds, Neri told Cuarto to stick his jab and throw combinations without looking for a knockout but the defending champion charged in for a homerun instead, allowing Valladares to clinch in close quarters repeatedly. Cuarto appeared to run out of steam down the stretch and the Mexican capitalized by finishing stronger. But if Welton scored the knockdown and didn’t deduct a point, Cuarto would’ve retained the title by either a split decision or draw.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024