Nabigo si Filipino Jack Asis na maipagtanggol ang kanyang IBO super featherweight crown nang matalo sa 12-round unanimous decision kay dating IBF at WBF junior lightweight titlist Malcolm Klassen kamakailan sa Emerald Casino sa Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa.

Nakipagsabayan si Asis sa mas matangkad na si Klassen at dinomina ang huling round ng sagupaan pero nagwagi pa rin ang South African sa puntos.

Kilalang-kilala ang South Africa sa hometown decision at kontrobersiyal na dumating si Klassen isang oras bago ang official weigh-in kaya hinihinalang overweight siya nang harapin si Asis.

“The South African began to tire in the last four rounds as he let the 33-year-old Asis back into the fight. Klassen could have been pulling weight as he arrived late for the weigh-in, siting car trouble, but who knows?” pahayag ng Fightnews.com. “Klassen improved his record to 33-6-2, 17 KOs, and Asis saw his record drop to 35-19-6, 18 KOs. Asis was making the first defense of his belt.”

Sa undercard ng laban, pinatulog ni Philippine super bantamweight champion Jhon Gemino sa ikasiyam na round si dating Pan African super bantamweight titlist Toto Helebe ngunit hindi ipinagkaloob sa kanya ang bakanteng WBA Intercontinental super bantamweight crown dahil overweight siya sa official weigh in.

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“Filipino Jhon Germino came from behind to win on ninth knockout over former South African bantamweight champion Toto Helebe in a clash for the vacant WBA Intercontinental super bantamweight title. Helebe’s reported record dropped to 17-7, 9 KOs, and Gemino’s reported record improved to 14-7-1, 6 Kos,” ayon sa ulat ng IBO. - Gilbert Espena