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.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team Concluded World Boxing Championship 2025 With Nine Medals
Mon, 16 Jun 2025"The Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire Makes Stunning Comeback, Wins Interim WBA 118-lbs Title in Argentina!! (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Jun 2025DAZN is Set to Make Exciting Debut in Thailand with Thrilling Dream Boxing/Highland Boxing Show
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Jun 2025Hitchins Dominates, Stops Kambosos Jr. in Eighth Round to Retain IBF Super Lightweight Title
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 15 Jun 2025THAI SIMSRI READY FOR CHRISTIAN ARANETA IN IBF WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN THURSDAY IN JAPAN; WILL THE CEBUANO “BOMB” STOP HIM?
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Jun 2025Pinoy Power! Pacquiao, Donaire, and Araneta Ready to Shine in World Title Fights
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Jun 2025“PROSPECTS COLLIDE” TAKES CENTER STAGE
Sun, 15 Jun 2025Nonito Donaire Favorite to Beat Andrés Campos for WBA Interim World Title; Both Men Make Weight Ready in Argentina!
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Jun 2025Oklahoma Forces 2-2 Finals Series Tie, Starves Indiana for Point in 111-104 Win
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 14 Jun 2025PROSPECTS COLLIDE OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Sat, 14 Jun 2025Hitchins vs. Kambosos: Can George Be More Than A Faded Name?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 14 Jun 2025Four Boxers Advance to Gold Medal Matches on Day Three of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem
Sat, 14 Jun 2025WEIGHTS FROM NEW YORK: HITCHINS - 140 LBS., KAMBOSOS - 139.4 LBS.
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Jun 2025Gaviola to face Narukami in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 14 Jun 2025Pacquiao Steps Up Training
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Jun 2025