Crowd cheers Pinoy despite loss

STOCKTON – A chorus of boos greeted the announcement that Australia’s Jason Moloney won the vacant WBO bantamweight title on a majority 12-round decision over General Santos City’s Vincent Astrolabio here Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila time). Chants of “you suck” reverberated at the Stockton Arena as fans expressed their displeasure over Moloney’s lack of engagement in literally running away with the unpopular win.

Moloney, 32, swayed side to side, ran circles and did a masterful version of Waltzing Matilda throughout the lackluster fight where he turned the ring into a ballroom. He speared Astrolabio with left jabs that often stymied the Filipino’s attempts to brawl and stayed away from harm’s way. Whenever Astrolabio attacked or struck from close range, Moloney grabbed and held. The pattern didn’t sit well with the fans who came to witness a confrontation not a dancing lesson.

Judge Tom Carusone of Connecticut saw it 114-all while judge Zachary Young of Los Angeles scored 116-112 and judge Robert Hoyle of Nevada, 115-113, both for Moloney. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said he thought Astrolabio took eight rounds and Moloney, four. “Vincent dictated the fight, he had the kangaroo running for his life, he pushed Moloney everywhere,” said Gibbons. “Even though the guy boxed around him at times, he wasn’t effective. Boxing is effective scoring. Vincent walked the guy down all night and Moloney never landed anything of consequence.”

Astrolabio said he tried to make a fight out of it but Moloney refused to oblige. “Takbo ng takbo,” he sighed. “Mga apat na beses, na-groggy siya. Walang malakas na suntok, puro jab.” His coach Nonoy Neri was exasperated by Moloney’s refusal to stand his ground. “Daplis, daplis mga suntok ni Moloney at walang clean shot,” he noted. Cutman Ting Ariosa said it wasn’t a defeat for Astrolabio. “The crowd loved him,” he added. “He lost in the scorecards but won the heart of the fans. There will be improvement and adjustments. He’ll be back.”

Strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia said Astrolabio won by losing. “Vincent gained the respect of the crowd,” he said. “Next time, he’ll be holding the belt. A lot of boxing experts thought he won. He could’ve put a little more pressure. Vincent has the power and condition, he hits hard, he’ll learn from this.” ESPN boxing guru Fernando Barbosa scored it 116-112 for Astrolabio, giving him four of the last five rounds. Punch stats showed that Moloney outlanded Astrolabio, 143 to 109 and had more jabs 93-29 but the Filipino connected more power blows, 80-50. Astrolabio dominated the championship rounds, scoring more power shots, 9-4 in the 11th and 5-0 in the 12th.