APOLINARIO UNLUCKY TO BE HELD TO MAJORITY DRAW IN WBA INTERIM TITLE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Nov 2012
Apolinario.
WBO Oriental super flyweight champion Mark John "Iceman" Apolinario (17-2-1, 4 KO's) was unlucky to be held to a majority draw in an action-packed battle for the WBA bantamweight interim title against hard-hitting former world champion Roberto Vasquez (32-5-1, 22 KO's) of Panama at the Club La Union in Colon, Argentina.
The 22 year old Apolinario who won the WBO Oriental 115 pound title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Vincent Palicte on September 26, 2010 was ranked No.3 by the WBA against the 29 year old southpaw Vazquez who was ranked No.2.
Well known promoter Sammy Gello-ani said "people inside the venue including myself thought Apolinario won the fight but we have to respect the decision of the judges."
Judge Uriel Aguilera of Colombia scored the fight for Vasquez 115-113 while judges Jesus Cova of Venezuela and hometown judge Gustavo Estrella of Argentina had it as a 114-114 draw.
Gello-ani told the Manila Standard that Apolinario started off well with good left straights, uppercuts and hooks and hurt Vasquez who tried to come back with some good body shots late in the round.
He said Apolinario took the first three rounds but Vasquez fought back to win the next three. The Filipino edged in front by winning the 7th round but Vasquez clawed back to take the 8th while Apolinario "getting his second wind" finished with a flourish.
Gello-ani reported that in the 11th round Vasquez "was almost gone but Apolinario made a mistake by not delivering the finishing punch. He could have knocked out Vasquez."
The promoter who is in a partnership with international matchmaker and promoter Sampson Lewkowich said a rematch will be held in Las Vegas early next year.
Lewkowich teamed up with world middleweight champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez who was making his promotional debut to stage the fight card.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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