ni Gilbert Espeña

Sa ikatlong pagkatataon napanatili ni Gideon Buthelezi ang kanyang IBO junior-bantamweight belt sa 12-round unanimous decision sa Pilipinong si Ryan Rey Ponteras sa International Convention Centre sa East London, Soth Africa kamakalawa ng gabi.

Kahit naging agresibo sa kabuuan ng laban si Ponteras, umiskor ang all-African judges na sina Lulama Mtya ng 118-112; Eddie Pappoe, 118-109 at Patric Mukondwa, 118-111 kaya waring walang kalaban si Buthelezi na minsang pinatulog sa unang round ng Pinoy boxer na si Edrin Dapudong para maagaw ang naturang titulo noong 2013.

Napuna ng Fightnews.com na nahirapan si Buthelezi kay Ponteras na kasalukuyang Philippine flyweight champion.

“Even though Buthelezi won by wide margins, it was a below par performance by this skillful fighter (Buthlezi),” ayon sa ulat. “Completely out of character he came out at the first bell throwing right and lefts and engaging with Ponteras from his southpaw stance as he stood toe-to-toe with his opponent. This was alien to his normal fighting style.”

“The awkward Ponteras continued to press forward throwing wild punches and missing at times, before Buthelezi reverted to his well-known slick boxing style and began to slip and move inside to pile up the points,” dagdag sa ulat. “In an untidy fight Buthelezi was in control and knocked the Filipino down to the canvas with right jab followed up by a swing left in the 11th round and stayed in command through round 12 to take the decision, even though it was not one of his best nights.”

Napaganda ni Buthelezi ang kanyang rekord sa 20-5-0 win-loss-draw na may 4 na panalo sa knockouts samantalang bumagsak ang kartada ni Ponteras sa 20-12-1 win-loss-draw na may 9 pagwawagi sa knockouts.