RUENROENG RETAINS IBF TITLE WITH SPLIT DECISION OVER MCWILLIAMS ARROYO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Sep 2014
Ruenroeng.
Former Olympian Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand has retained his IBF flyweight title with a split decision win over former Puerto Rican Olympian McWilliams Arroyo in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Wednesday.
Two of the three judges scored the fight for Ruenroeng who was making the second defense of the vacant title he won in a clash with ALA Gym?s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation champion Rocky Fuentes on January 22, while the third judge scored the fight for Arroyo who earned the title shot after a sensational 2nd round knockout of previously undefeated Filipino Froilan ?The Sniper? Saludar last June 19 in Puerto Rico.
Filipino judge Jonathan Davis who now lives in the United States had Ruenroeng the winner 115-114 while Australia?s Ignatius Missailidis also had the champion the winner 114-113. However, the third judge, another Australian Ben Keilty scored the fight for Arroyo 114-113.
Ruenroeng who had shoved Arroyo to the canvas for the second time in two successive rounds was dropped when Arroyo caught him with a perfectly timed left hook.
The Thai champion barely beat the mandatory eight-count but 66 year old referee Pat Russell whom Boxing Scene?s Jake Donovan described as ?aged? mistook the warning clapper as the bell, thereby ending the round early which Donovan said was ?the first of at least four times in which he would make such an error.?
Russell warned Ruenroeng for hitting on the break and for holding and shoving but never penalized the Thai world champion who had previously scored his biggest win in a twelve round unanimous decision over undefeated Japanese former two division champion Kazuto Ioka last May.
Even Fuentes while admitting he lost to Ruenroeng assailed the Thai for wrestling and dirty tactics which were ignored by Russell in the Arroyo fight.
Ruenroeng was assisted in his preparation for his title defense by former WBC flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro who was his sparring partner for a month in preparation for Jaro?s own title shot at undefeated WBC super flyweight champion Carlos ?Principe? Cuadras on September 20 in Mexico.
Jaro?s manager/trainer Aljoe Jaro reportedly advised Ruenroeng in working out a fight plan against Arroyo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
Sat, 31 Jan 2026