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Freeman Cebu Sports

Batawang falters in world title bid

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Bert Batawang’s dream to become a world boxing champion faded like sunset after he was stopped in the ninth round by IBF light flyweight champion Ulises “Archie” Solis of Mexico yesterday at the Auditorio Benito Juarez in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Now at the twilight of his career, the heart-breaking setback may send the 36-year-old Batawang into retirement although his manager Sammy Gello-ani plans to give him one more local fight before they ponder on his future.

“I was really outclassed,” gamely admitted Batawang in an overseas call. “I will just depend on my manager if ever he will give me another fight.”

Batawang’s brightest moment came in round four when he rocked Solis with an assortment of solid hits to the head and body. Solis appeared to be unhurt though, according to philboxing.com web editor Dong Secuya.

“Solis recovered in time to return the compliment to Batawang in the second half of the 4th round to steal Batawang’s best round in the night,” said Secuya.

“From the 5th round onwards, it was all Solis’ show as he tagged Batawang with jabs and combinations and crisp counters every time Batawang attempted to throw some punches which is far and in between,” added Secuya.

Batawang suffered a cut on his right eyebrow inflicted by a legitimate punch. In round nine, Batawang seemed defenseless in the face of Solis’ heavy bombardments, prompting referee Pat Russell to wave off the bout at the 2:33 mark of that fateful round.

Solis was way ahead on points in the three ringside scorecards at the time of the stoppage. David Robertson, Rafael Lopez Santos and Dr. Oldemar Soto had identical scores of 80-72 for the Mexican champ.

It was Solis sixth defense of the IBF belt he snatched by beating American Will Grigsby by unanimous decision on January 7 last year at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Also, Batawang was Solis’second straight Filipino victim as the Mexican knocked out Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol in the eighth round in his previous defense last August 4 at the All-State Arena in Rosemount, Illinois.

Solis improved his record to 26-1-2 now spiked with 20KOs, while Batawang slipped to 50-7 (34KOs).

ALL-STATE ARENA

AMERICAN WILL GRIGSBY

AUDITORIO BENITO JUAREZ

BATANG MANDAUE

BATAWANG

ROUND

SOLIS

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