July 23, 2013
TOKYO, JAPAN
Mexican Anabel Ortiz (15-3, 5 KOs), 104.25, wrested the WBA female minimumweight belt as she was awarded a controversial split decision over previously unbeaten defending champ Etsuko Tada (12-1-2, 2 KOs), 104, over ten fast rounds on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. The official tallies were as follows: Alfredo Polanco (Mexico) and Gustavo Padilla (Panama) both 96-94 for Ortiz, and Takeshi Shimakawa (Japan) 97-93 for Tada. The referee was Pinit Prayadsab (Thailadn).
Tada, a taller southpaw making her tenth defense, looked like a winner rather than a loser since she seemingly dominated more rounds than the ex-WBC straw champ Ortiz, who appeared slowing down in later rounds. Tada threw good southpaw jabs to keep the challenger from coming in, and connected with more effective lefts to the face of the Mexican. Tada deserves a rematch. Kameda Promotions.
(7-23-2013)