DACQUEL RETAINS OPBF CROWN BY SPLIT DECISION

FLASHY Rene “Commander” Dacquel of the Philippines used his in-and-out style in the early rounds to retain his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super flyweight title via a split decision against Japanese challenger Shota Kawaguchi on Saturday at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.
Two judges from the Philippines and Malaysia both scored it 115-113 in favour of Dacquel while the Japanese judge had it 115-113 for his fellow countryman.
Dacquel won the first two rounds then took the 4th, 6th and 7th with his in-and-out fighting style. He slowed down in the 8th and 9th rounds but came back strong in the next two rounds.
Dacquel, a native of Abra, had prepared for his fight under trainer Joven Jorda at the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet.
It was the 19th win by Dacquel against six losses and one draw. It was also his second title defense of the interim crown he won via a 9th round technical knockout win against Rathaphol Suwaonsoda last year in Bacolod.
Dacquel, who is based in Japan under Team United of Ryuta Kato, is also a former IBO International, WBC Youth World, Philippine and Luzproba super flyweight champion.
Kawaguchi, on the other hand, suffered his 8th defeat against 20 wins and once draw. The 32-year old Japanese previously won the interim WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight.
The 12-round championship bout was supervised by OPBF President Juan Ramon Guanzon. Also present was Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra and international matchmaker Brico Santig of Highland Promotions.

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra (extreme left) with OPBF super flyweight champion Rene Dacquel, Warren Elliot and Ryuta Kato of Team United. (Photo by BRICO SANTIG)

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