Sunday, July 27, 2008 Quijano: It's still a world title By Jingo Quijano Last Round
UNLESS somebody poisoned AJ “Bazooka” Banal’s drinking water last night in the biggest fight of his life, by the time you read this, he would already have been crowned the WBA Interim super flyweight champion.
But how did the word “interim” suddenly and surreptitiously insert itself into this picture?
Enter the WBA Resolution SF115-042008001 dated July 2008.
My day job almost always affords me the opportunity to dissect a law, statute or regulation. But since this is supposed to be a boxing column, I will spare you the boring nuances of examining legalities and try to offer you the meat instead.
In essence, the said resolution states that the vacant super flyweight title will actually be contested by the top two contenders in the division who are both Japanese—Nobou Nashiro and Kohei Kono. They are tentatively scheduled to fight on Sept. 15, 2008.
But last night’s bout was granted a special permit and labeled as the “Interim” world championship.
The Resolution further provides that last night’s winner will have to fight the winner of Nashiro vs. Kono before Dec. 15, 2008 to determine what is termed as the “absolute” champion.
If the Nashiro vs. Kono bout ends in a draw, last night’s winner would be the regular champion but must fight in 120 days against the leading available contender.
If there was a draw last night, the winner of Nashiro vs. Kono would be the regular champion but will have nine months to defend against the “official certified contender”
Still with me guys?
I know it’s a bit of a letdown for some of you to know that last night’s fight was not for the regular title, but hey, I’m not complaining.
PRESS CON. During a press conference with the prolific matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz—who was the WBA matchmaker of the year—it was clarified that technically it’s still for the WBA super flyweight championship.
According to Banal’s manager Michael Aldeguer, the same sanctioning fees were paid and for all intents and purposes this bout was treated like a championship match.
The word interim means “in the meantime”, “temporary” or “in the intervening period.” Ergo, it describes what kind of a championship the fighter holds, but does not detract from the fact that he is still a champion, despite its being provisional in nature.
There were reportedly some unhappy souls in Japan when they learned we were trumpeting last night’s bout as “the” championship.
Well, the Last Round does not give a freakin’ damn what they think. The more we announce last night’s winner as WBA champion, the more we force their hand into pitting the winner of Kono vs. Nashiro bout against AJ Banal. (please don’t tell me he lost)
MAKE MINE MARGARITO. Today a crucial and exciting bout between two of the world’s best welterweights takes place. Undefeated Puerto Rican sensation Miguel Cotto 32-0, (26 KOs) takes on Mexican Antonio Margarito, 36-5 (26 KOs).
Cotto is slightly favored to win, but I like Margarito’s chances on this one. Cotto will be faster and smarter in the ring, but Margarito is a genuine bad ass who likes to bring it.
He’s also very durable and seems to get stronger as the fight goes on. Plus, he has a significant height and reach advantage over the shorter Cotto.
The punch that will determine the winner of this fight will be the uppercut. Cotto has been known to be quite vulnerable to this punch as shown in the Mosely and Judah bouts, and if Margarito lands a couple of his signature punches, he might earn a knockout in the 10th round.
LAST ROUND. It’s on the UP Latagaw Brotherhood which turns 35 today. In happiness, blood, sweat and tears. Cheers!
