LARIOS WON A CLOSE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 18 Oct 2008
There?s been some criticism over the split decision victory of WBC featherweight champion Oscar Larios over undefeated Japanese youngster Takahiro Aoh, a sparring partner of Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera when the Mexican was preparing for his rematch with Pacquiao.
www.insidesports was informed that influential businessman-sportsman Akihiko Honda was angry over the decision and reportedly stormed out of the venue.
Honda who owns the Teiken Gym where Larios trained before his July 2006 fight against Pacquiao promoted the world title double-header.
While Larios was dropped in the fourth round and looked wobbly after he beat the count, it seems that Aoh didn?t follow-up his advantage and instead decided to stay away which gave Larios a chance to use his experience and get out of trouble using his left jab and his speed.
Japanese boxing writer, matchmaker and manager Joe Koizumi was very critical of the decision because Koizumi reportedly works for Honda.
The Japan times on the other hand reported that Aoh who was ranked No. 9 hurt Larios in the fourth round sending the champion to the canvas with a stinging right and caught him with another counter at the end of the fifth that caused Larios to stagger back to his corner.
But the newspaper reported that Larios who had cuts above both eyes continued to rack up points with his power-laden jab and his punches outnumber the 24 year old southpaw.
Larios? face was a bloody mess after Aoh opened up a cut above his eye with an accidental headbutt. Larios threw a series of hard body shots in the ninth that stunned the challenger.
Aoh never relented in the slugfest which was decided by a close margin.
After the fight Aoh said ?after I sent him down I was aiming too much for another shot. I was wondering why I hadn?t finished him off. I wasn?t hurt by his punches. I am shocked by the loss but he was the better fighter today.?
Respected New Zealand referee/judge Bruce McTavish who was a judge in the WBC bantamweight title fight where Hozumi Hasegawa scored a second round knockout over No. 2 rated Alejandro Valdez of Mexico told us that the Larios-Aoh fight was close but he felt that Larios won.
However, McTavish said that if Aoh had been given the decision it would have been acceptable.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026