CHO RETAINS WBC SUPER-FLY TITLE BY BEATING MEXICAN AVILA

May 14, 2000
SEOUL, KOREA-Unbeaten lanky footworker INJOO CHO(right photo), 115, kept his WBC super-flyweight throne as he made good use of superior speed and kept on outboxing a shorter Mexican JULIO CESAR AVILA(left photo), 114 3/4, to pound out a unanimous decision over 12 frames.

It was Cho's 5th defense since he dethroned Filipino lefty Gerry Penalosa via an upset decision here in August, 1998. Cho had kept his diadem on 4 occasions, beating Joel Luna Zarate (W12), Pone Saengmorakot (KO8), Keiji Yamaguchi (W12) and Penalosa again (W12).

Scored: Takeaki Kanaya (Japan) 118-110, Kazumasa Kuwata (Japan) 118-109, and Naparat Srichareon (Thailand) 117-111, all for Cho, who raised his unblemished mark to 18-0, 7 KOs. Avila dropped to 16-4, 7 KOs.

Avila, WBC No.15 ranked contender, was some 4 inches shorter than the Korean champ. Cho was in command from the outset as he utilized his physical advantage and displayed his speed on hand and foot, outjabbing and countering the willing but unsuccessful mixer. In three rounds from the second session, Cho connected with sharp countering left hooks to the slower Mexican. Avila seldom caught the fast footworker.

The 5th saw Cho, 8 years his senior at 31, lift well-timed uppercuts to the crouching stylist, who kept stalking with his slower footwork. Moving side to side, the taller Korean outlegged and outmaneuvered him with his better jabs.

In the 8th, Cho landed a big right counter and almost toppled the Mexican, who became temporarily groggy with his rubbery legs. The champ attempted to finish him with a follow-up, but Avila grabbed him and both fell down together like Primo Carnera and Max Baer. This slip-down deprived Cho of his opportunity to accelerate his attack to hurt him more effectively and possibly floor him to the deck.

The Mexican showed his heart with his aggressiveness in the 9th, though Cho kept moving to and fro. Avila desperately tried to come close to the fleet-footed champ, but in vain, due to Cho's elusiveness.

If Cho was to blame in this successful defense, it was his failure to maintain his effort to finish the affair that caused the crowd to criticize him. In the last two rounds Cho looked just content to keep his huge lead on points without taking a risk as he kept moving around and occasionally countering. Avila monotonously went forward and repeatedly missed the target, but all the judges generously gave the 11th due to his effort-if not successful-to catch the still fast-trotting champ. Referee Richie Davis, England, did a good job as he was so sweaty as to separate both contestants that repeatedly clinched and held each other especially in later sessions.

The Korean crowd expected Cho to score a fine KO win, but Cho rendered his priority aiming to a certain triumph without taking a risk in the close quarter. In this regard, Cho was successful on his fight plan, but he might be able to score an anticipated knockout over the slower opponent.

UNDERCARDS

The WBC top-ranked feather contender INJIN CHI, 128, gained a shutout decision over the OPBF top contender and Filipino champ BABY LORONA JR., 127 1/2, over 10.

It's a very good card, which, however, turned out to be a lopsided affair due to their difference of career. The lefty Filipino was often forced to the ropes and absorbed much punishment all night. Lorona refused to go down despite his absorption of many solid shots to the face and midsection, but Chi had the upper hand with his persistent pressure. There were no knockdowns, but all the judges tallied 100-91 for the sturdy Korean. Chi is aiming at his mandatory shot at the winner of the current WBC feather boss Guty Espadas Jr. and the WBC super-bantam ruler Eric Morales, both of Mexico.

Promoter: Kusung Lee's Poong San Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(5-14-00)

SCORESHEETS

Referee: RICHIE DAVID (ENGLAND)

Back to Oriental Boxing

Go to Top