Salud protests Gejon's loss

Cebuano impresario Rex "Wakee" Salud yesterday filed a protest before the World Boxing Association concerning the highly questionable defeat suffered by his prized boxer Eriberto "Ioka" Gejon, Jr. recently in Japan.

Gejon lost by controversial technical split decision in the 10th round to Japanese champion Yutaka Niida in their WBA minimumweight title match on Sunday night at the Yokohama Arena.

The bout went to the cards after an unintentional headbutt in the 10th round left Gejon unfit to continue fighting due to a deep cut over his right eye that later needed 15 stitches to close.

Gejon was tabbed the winner by Panamian judge Medardo Villalobos, 97-93, but the two other judges, Wansoo Yuh of Korea and Pinit Prayadsab of Thailand, saw it otherwise, posting identical scores of 96-95 for Niida, hence, the split verdict in favor of the Japanese champion.

Salud, who was very disappointed with the decision, said he wanted the WBA to investigate Wansoo and Prayadsab on the manner they judged the match.

"I filed a protest before the WBA because of the dubious decision of the two judges (Wansoo and Pinit). I strongly disagree with their decision and I'm requesting the WBA to have them investigated," said Salud. "There's no doubt in my mind Gejon won the fight and he deserves a rematch."

Salud, who turns a year older today, said he sent a letter of protest to WBA upon the advise of WBA chief representative Gilberto Mendoza, Jr., who felt Gejon was a casualty of unjust decision.

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao, who accompanied Salud to Japan to cheer for Gejon, also pronounced the Cebuano challenger should have been declared the winner.

"Even fight supervisor Renzo Bagnariol of Nicaragua told me after the bout that Gejon was leading by two points over Niida in his scoring," said Salud.

A return bout is likely as Mendoza, whose father Gilberto Mendoza, Sr. is the WBA president, assured Salud that Gejon will stay as the WBA No.2 contender despite the latter's setback.

Gejon, who suffered his only first defeat in 23 professional fights that include one draw and 13 wins via knockout, said he is willing challenge Niida anew.

"I really believed I won the fight. But I can't do nothing about it, it's their decision," said Gejon in graciously accepting his defeat. "If opportunity permits, I'm willing to have a rematch with him (Niida) even if the fight will still be held in Japan."

The Mandaue City fighter said he was headbutted by Niida thrice in the third, fifth and 10th round, but referee Luis Pabon of Puerto Rico did not penalize Niida.

"I was headbutted thrice by Niida, but the referee did not do anything about it," said Gejon.

In such case, a point is usually deducted against a boxer, but unfortunately for Gejon, the WBA had waived the penalty for accidental headbutts in its last convention in Bali, Indonesia.

For his part, Gejon's long-time trainer Brix Flores said his ward was really robbed of victory.

"Natikasan gyud mi. (We were really robbed of victory)," said Flores. "In fact after the fight, Mr. Honda apologized to Gejon about the decision." Akihiko Honda is the chairman of Teiken Promotions, which bankrolled the Niida-Gejon titular showdown.