PUMICPIC LOSES IN OPBF TITLE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Mar 2014
The Philippines top contender Richard Pumicpic dropped a twelve round unanimous decision to Japan?s Ryosuke Iwasa in Tokyo in an Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight title fight in Tokyo.
Hall-of-Fame media man and matchmaker Joe Koizumi reported that the much taller Iwasa?s height and reach advantage ?was a nuisance forcing Pumicpic (13-6-1, 4b KO?s) to have to bore in and although the challenger gamely kept going forward with occasional rights to the face of the champion, Iwasa connected with light but faster combinations against the onrushing Filipino.?
Two of the three judges scored the fight for Iwasa (17-1, 10 KO?s) 116-112 while the third judge had it a 114-114 draw.
Iwasa had previously won a ten round unanimous shutout decision over Jeker Buhawe on July 6, 2013 band a tebn roune unanimous decision over another Filipino Marjohn Yap on March 2, 2013.
In a supporting bout Richard Garcia (25-18-1, 7 KO?s) scored what Koizumi described as a flash knockdown against WBC No, 8 ranked Ryo Akaho (22-1-2, 15 KO?s) with a counter left-right combination in round one but Akaho ?connected with a vicious left hook to the face of Garcia who beat the count but immediately fell back and was counted out.?
Akaho had also scored a 6th round TKO over Buhawe on November 2 last year and a 4th round knockout of Elmar Francisco last June 1.
It was Garcia?s first defeat in four fights in Japan after the Filipino previously beat Masayuki Kuroda and Kenji Yoshida, and drew with Go Onaga.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Canelo-Crawford: Betting Odds Reveal a Battle of Money vs. Public Opinion
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 12 Sep 2025BELFAST PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING LEWIS CROCKER AND PADDY DONOVAN SAID AHEAD OF HISTORIC WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN
Fri, 12 Sep 2025GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA TO DEFEND UNDISPUTED CROWN AGAINST HIGHLY RANKED NEW FOE ALEXAS “IRON LADY” KUBICKI
Fri, 12 Sep 2025Chino Sy Tancontian is Sports Hero of the Year 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Sep 2025Two (or Three) Lefts Make a Right: Francisco Guilledo to Luisito Espinosa
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 11 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to 2025 World Boxing Championships Semifinals
Thu, 11 Sep 2025UNIFIED WORLD CHAMPION OSCAR COLLAZO HOSTS MEDIA WORKOUT
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Jerwin Ancajas Set for IBF Mandatory Eliminator Against Former World Champ Ryosuke Nishida; Winner Fights Naoya Inoue
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 11 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Local Favorite Bryce Mills Tops First Boxing Card At del Lago Resort & Casino
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: It´s Fightweek Fight: Canelo vs. Crawford
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Casimero comeback next month in Kyrgyzstan?
By Nick Giongco, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Team USA Concludes Day Six of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Andrade, Garras rule Milo marathon in Tagum
Wed, 10 Sep 2025CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
Wed, 10 Sep 2025