Pinoy wuz robbed, says South African press

Wyndel Janiola gained the press’ sympathy but the consolation meant little to the Butuan City slugger who lost a controversial unanimous 12-round decision to International Boxing Organization (IBO) lightflyweight champion Monelisi Mhinkhiza Myekeni at the Meropa Sun Casino in Polokwane, South Africa, last week.

The South African newspaper Star said Myekeni had "no answer to the visitor’s punches (and) boxing fans were stunned by the judges’ decision in favor of a visibly vanquished boxer (as) many people were convinced that the foreigner had done enough to be victorious."

The Capricorn Voice said the verdict was announced "much to the disgust of the crowd who judged the fight to be more evenly balanced."

South African writer Leonard Neill said Janiola "fought his heart out only to hear the three ringside judges go against him in what looked a very debatable decision." Neill said Janiola was "definitely streets ahead of his countrymen who had been imported to South Africa as ‘opponents’ in recent years (and) some of them returned home dubbed the Filipino flops (but) if the Myekeni camp had any thoughts of Janiola being of the same ilk, they were to be sadly disillusioned."

The scoring wasn’t close–117-113, 116-113, 115-113–and that made it more painful. The judges were Arthur Ellensohn of Germany, Marek Zuraszek of Poland, and Len Hunt of South Africa. The referee was Lulama Mtya, also of South Africa. Mtya had previously worked three title fights involving Filipinos–Bong Arlos and Arnel Barotillo twice–and they all lost to South Africans. Janiola was Mtya’s fourth Filipino victim in a row.

The defeat was the second suffered by a Filipino in a world title fight this year. Last month, Roy Doliguez was halted by World Boxing Organization (WBO) superflyweight titleholder Fernando Montiel in the third round in Los Mochis, Mexico.

"Masakit," said Janiola, one of seven children born to a retired government employee Cristituto, 67, and a housewife Luisa, 65. "Alam kong nanalo ako. Dinaya ako. ‘Yung referee, pinabayaan niyang mag-clinch si Myekeni na wala naman ginawa kundi tumakbo at humawak. Disappointed ako but more determined ngayon. Sa boksing, may talo, may panalo. Ganyan talaga. Charge it na lang to experience."

Janiola, 22, said he was never hurt by Myekeni although he admitted he was caught by a right to the head early in the 11th round and staggered back because he was off-balance. At least twice, Myekeni was on the verge of falling but somehow, kept his feet on the canvas. Janiola gave credit to Myekeni for his courage but nothing more.

Janiola’s trainer Juanito Ablaca, who made the 16-hour trip to South Africa via Kuala Lumpur, said Myekeni hardly won a clear round and looked a beaten fighter in the end. Ablaca and another trainer Lando Angel accompanied Janiola to Polokwane in the province of Limpopo.

Janiola’s manager Terry Carter, a Vietnam War veteran now living in Cebu, said the South African fans knew Myekeni should’ve lost. He will file a protest and demand a rematch anytime, anywhere.

"We got cheated," barked Carter. "Wyndel finished without a scratch. The other guy was black and blue all over. The IBO boasts of a reputation of fairness. Let’s see if they’ll be fair in giving Wyndel a rematch. The South African press was shocked by the brazen hometown decision. A South African promoter Joe Manhati was so impressed with Wyndel that he’s flying over to negotiate more fights for him. Next time, Wyndel will go for a knockout and show more aggressiveness. He’ll be a different fighter. He lacked the killer’s instinct in the fight, thinking he’d win easily on points. Now, he knows better."

Janiola, who landed in Polokwane six days before the fight, said he was in perfect condition and South Africa’s high altitude was inconsequential. He explained that he paced himself in the first minute of every round then in the last minute, he attacked furiously. Apparently, the ploy didn’t convince the judges to see it his way.

Myeneki, nicknamed "Showtime," was 2 1/2 inches taller than the 5-4 Janiola but height wasn’t a factor. Janiola said Myeneki fought from long distance and was an easy target for his jabs.

It was a bitter setback for Janiola who suffered his first loss in a 13-1 record, with five knockouts. He barged into the world rankings after decisioning former world titlist Saman Sorjaturong in Cambodia last year.

Because of the defeat, Janiola was scratched as one-time world title challenger Shingo Yamaguchi’s opponent for the vacant Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightflyweight crown on May 12 in Tokyo.

Manila promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr. suggested World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 2 lightflyweight contender Juanito Rubillar to replace Janiola but Japanese matchmaker Joe Koizumi may pick a Korean substitute instead. Elorde has asked OPBF president Frank Quill to intervene and insist on Rubillar. Elorde also appealed for support from the Games and Amusements Board.

"The OPBF rules are clear," said Elorde. "Since Janiola fought for the title of a rival organization and lost, disqualified na siya to fight for the OPBF championship. My point is to give another Filipino a chance since wala na nga si Janiola. Highly-rated naman si Juanito although I think that’s what worries the Japanese. I hope Mr. Quill understands our position and makes a favorable ruling."

As for Janiola, he’s taking a break in his Nasipit hometown. He’s the second in the family to try his luck in the ring. An older brother Alexis didn’t go far as a pro. In Butuan, Janiola is hailed as a superstar. And why not? After his showing in South Africa, he’s being called the uncrowned IBO lightflyweight champion.

Myekeni, 25, is not in Janiola’s class. He turned pro in 1997 and has since compiled a 16-1 record, with six knockouts. In his only loss, Myekeni was stopped by Anis Roga in the third round of an International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental lightflyweight title bout in Indonesia in the year 2000. He captured the IBO diadem via a unanimous 12-round decision over Jose Garcia of Colombia. Myekeni floored Garcia once in the fifth round enroute to an easy romp via scores of 117-111, 117-110, and 115-112.

"Next time, the outcome will be different," vowed a fuming Carter.