Anthony Olascuaga’s first WBO world flyweight title defense came to an abrupt and anticlimactic end. More than a week later The defeat was now officially recognized as a victory for Olascuaga.
Olascuaga, 25, from Los Angeles Won the vacant title in July by defeating Riku Kano in three rounds in Japan. He returns to Tokyo to defend it on October 14 against top-rated opponent Jonathan Gonzalez.
The two fighters clashed head-to-head for about 1 minute and 50 seconds in the first round. It opened a wound in Gonzalez’s left eye. The referee took Gonzalez to ringside medics to examine his wound and determined that the bout could continue.
After another 20 seconds, the fighter caught on. And Gonzalez turned his left eye. After a short exchange Between Gonzalez and referee Robert Hoyle, Hoyle waved off the bout.
Shortly thereafter, Olascuaga’s team filed an appeal with the Japan Boxing Commission. According to Jake Donovan of RingTV.com– They argue that the decision to end the fight came from Gonzalez. Not from the stage doctor.
The appeal was successful following a letter from the Japan Boxing Commission to the WBO, which was Reported by boxing writer Carlos Linares.–
“Gonzalez expressed that he could not see. So the referee thought he had every intention of resigning. It was decided that Gonzalez would lose by TKO. and notify the stage announcer,” the letter states.
The commission said the fight chief initially recommended holding the bout as a “No decision made” a few days ago The committee overturned the supervisor’s decision.
“The referee has the sole authority to stop the match. and the referee claims that Gonzalez abandoned the bout,” the letter to the WBO said. “Accordingly, I would like to inform you that the outcome of this bout may change from a no-decision to a TKO loss for Gonzalez.”
Olascuaga is now 8-1 (6 KOs), Gonzalez is now 28-4-1 (14 KOs).
Olascuaga and his trainer spoke with Lucas Ketelle of BoxingScene.com on October 28:
“He has the choice to continue fighting. Doctors examined him and said he was fine, then (Gonzalez) continued to complain that he could not see when the wound was not in his eye,” Olascuaga said. “It was beyond his sight. So when he said he couldn’t see it, it was a lie. The referee did what he had to do. He stopped fighting. But I’m confused as to why he wouldn’t compete if he resigned because he said he couldn’t see it. I’m glad the verdict was overturned. And this is a TKO win for me.”
“The right decision was made,” said trainer Rudy Hernandez. “He stopped thinking about fighting again. And payday will follow. He has a history of complaining (and) crying in fights. It finally caught up with him. He has to live with the decision he made.”
David Greisman, who has been covering boxing since 2004, is on Twitter. @FightingWords2 and @United BoxingPod– He is a co-host of United Podcast– David’s bookFighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing” Available on Amazon
