Sorolla drops IBF title bid vs Indon

Benjie Sorolla was never floored by International Boxing Federation (IBF) miniflyweight champion Muhammad Rachman but Australian referee John Wright stopped the fight at 2:10 of the seventh round to rescue the Bacolod challenger from further punishment at the 5,000-seat Indoor Tennis Senayan Stadium in Jakarta late Saturday night.

Wright stepped in as Rachman landed six unanswered blows and ended the Filipino’s gallant attempt to dethrone the Indonesian, making the third defense of the 105-pound crown he won two years ago.

Sorolla’s manager Marty Elorde said Wright’s decision was premature and is considering to file a protest. He will review a tape of the fight before deciding whether or not to write IBF president Marian Muhammad and appeal for a rematch.

"Benjie wasn’t groggy," said Elorde. "I think the referee overreacted and stopped it too soon. Benjie’s a slow starter and I admit he was behind on points but he wasn’t finished. There’s such a thing as second wind and since it was only in the seventh round, I think he could’ve recovered with a last push."

Sorolla, 25, said he wasn’t hurt and felt he could’ve gone on.

"I know I wasn’t too aggressive and I didn’t throw enough punches but that was because he kept running," said Sorolla in Filipino. "I hurt him in the fourth round with a left hook and that was when he started to run. He didn’t want to take any chances."

Sorolla claimed he was about to counter when Wright called it a night.

Indonesian promoter Torino Tidar said Sorolla has nothing to be ashamed of and fought courageously.

"It was a hard fight for Rachman," said Tidar. "If Marty files a protest and the IBF orders a rematch, Rachman will surely agree. The problem is his next defense is mandatory but it could be against a Filipino."

In the latest IBF miniflyweight ratings, the No. 1 and No. 2 slots are vacant. The highest-ranked contenders are No. 3 Rodel Mayol and No. 4 Eriberto (Yukka) Gejon, both Filipinos. The other Filipinos in the top 15 ratings are No. 6 Florante Condes, No. 14 Sorolla and No. 15 Daniel Nietes.

Sorolla was cut above the left eye in the sixth round and insisted it was opened by a headbutt. Wright, however, ruled it was inflicted by a punch.

Rachman celebrated his 35th birthday with the win that raised his record to 61-5-5, including 31 KOs. Sorolla’s record dipped to 24-13-3, with 8 KOs.

Rachman was ahead on the scorecards of judges Montol Suriyachand of Thailand, Muhammad Rois of Indonesia and Salven Lagumbay of the Philippines after six rounds.

"I’m disappointed with the loss but more disappointed because it was the referee’s fault that the fight was stopped too soon," said Elorde. "It takes a long time to make a champion. I guess you have to get used to the ups and downs in sports. You can’t win or lose all the time."

Sorolla and trainer Sonny Sangalang returned home from Jakarta yesterday afternoon.