Controversy in Taduran-Cuarto title fight

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY – Former IBF World minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran Jr. can’t believe not even one judge gave him a victory in the title fight last Feb. 27 at Bula Gym at Gen. Santos City.

′′ I’m man enough to accept judges’ verdict, I just can’t believe that I didn’t win even one judge, I still thank God that Cuarto and I are safe ′′, said Taduran.

The three judges Roel Densing of Cagayan de Oro City, Brembot Dulalas, and Sabas Ponpon Jr. of Davao City all scored at 115-113 in favor of newly-crowned Rene Mark Cuarto.

Only Dulalas and Ponpon had an ID from IBF but not Densing, who is working as a first-timer.

Referee Rodel Garde of President Roxas, Cotabato was also a controversial third man on the ring.

He failed to call a foul on Cuarto during a head butt in the 9th round which Taduran suffered a nasty cut at the back of his head.

Garde then failed to slap a technical on Cuarto for sitting on the ropes because he was too tired already in the 12th round.

The 29-year-old Garde has refereed the WBC Asian Boxing Council and WBO Oriental Youth title fights. But he never refereed an IBF title event and it was the first time also for Garde.

Taduran’s matchmaker Art Monis said that Garde missed two chances for Cuarto to get technical fouls.

“Intentional head butt at knock down sa last round sayang walang deduction, (Intentional head butt and knock down in the last round unfortunately no deduction)” said Monis.

Monis said that Taduran could have won the fight.

“Sabi nila mahirap daw ang biyahe bakit dito kami, mga member di raw maka biyahe.(They said the trip was difficult why we are here, members said they could not travel)” said Monis.

IBF members who are in Manila can’t travel to Gen. Santos City that is why only IBF members from Davao were allowed.

Meanwhile, Rob Reyes, one of the assistant coaches of Nonoy Neri said the fight was really good as “both fighters showcased their talent.”

“It was a very close fight” said Reyes,

Reyes said that “Taduran is a very skilled fighter”.

“But di rin naman po kami papahuli (But we will not give up either)” said Reyes.

“I think it was a matter of the quality of punches by Cuarto vs. the quantity punches of Taduran and at the end of the fight,” said Reyes.

Reyes said: “Those judges based there scoring technically.”

“A win is a win no matter what. Stop crying kids. Only MP is strong,” he said.

Veteran boxing coach Art Advincula of Gen. Santos City, on the other hand, said: “Kung si Sen. Manny Pacquiao pa, track and field daw ang boxer ni Nonoy Neri nanalo pa (If Sen. Manny Pacquiao, track and field Nonoy Neri’s boxer seems to have won)”.

“Ge baboy na jud nila ang boxing diri sa Pinas. Naa nay winner by robbery disisyon (They have turn boxing into a piggery. There is a winner by robbery decision)” said Advincula.