Paras Upsets Kyugochi in S. Korea; Kyugochi Mulls Retirement
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 May 2024
Vince Paras scored a 10 round unanimous decision over former conqueror and world light flyweight champion Hiroto Kyugochi in the main event of a Treasure Boxing Promotion card at the Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea.
Reports are still sketchy but it appears the all-South Korean neutral panel of judges gave their scorecards to the Filipino fighter who was rated #30 by boxrec as against Kyugochi who came to the bout rated #4 by boxrec.
The verdict caught Kyugochi by suprise and so dejected him he was reportedly mulling of quitting boxing. It was only his second pro defeat, his first coming in 2022 when Kenshiro Teraji stopped him in the seventh round of their high profile unification match in Japan.
On the other hand, Paras was so elated that he reportedly hugged the pretty round girls which some found unbecoming.
The result was roundly criticized by Japanese netizens questioning Masayoshi Ito and TBP why the promotion was held in South Korea while taking to task the Korean judges for their questionable decision in favor of Paras. They also encouraged Kyugochi to continue fighting.
The fight was closely fought with Paras aggressively on the attack with his mauling style and Kyugochi countering with more precise punching though he appeared to tire in the later rounds
There were no knockdowns although both fighters hit the canvas on what were ruled by the referee as slips
Paras had challenged Kyugochi for his world title in Japan in 2019 and was beaten by unanimous decision. The Filipino however had won all but one of his succeeding bouts leading to this non title rematch versus Kyugochi. His other loss in that stretch was by decision to fellow Filipino Jonathan Taconing.
Significantly, Kyugochi was Paras's third straight Japanese victim since 2023.
It is not certain that the win will be enough to give Paras another crack at the world titles currently held by Teraji, Jonathan Gonzalez of Puerto Rico and Sive Notsingha of South Africa.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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