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Former Peruvian champion Frank Erick Paredes Vilchez battle undefeated Koh Kong sensation Phon Phanna to a draw on Saturday at the TV3 boxing arena, ending the Smach Meanchey native’s 12-month winning streak.
Marring the Koh Kong fighter’s perfect year, however, came as little consolation to the 25-year-old light-welterweight from Lima.
“To win is better,” he said, lines of blood and sweat a painful flourish to his unsatisfied expression.
Phon Phanna has appeared lacklustre since narrowly outpointing Van Chanvey in a grueling five-round brawl in August.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old from Koh Kong once again displayed the ring skill that has made him unbeatable over the last year.
He scored with a spinning back elbow to open round three, followed by half a dozen more elbows in the clinch. But the explosions were sort lived, and the Lima native never appeared in trouble.
Vilchez came battling back in the fourth, adjusting in the clinch and scoring with knees to the head. As the round came to a close, the only sounds inside the packed TV3 arena came from a small but noisy crowd of gamblers rooting for a big underdog payday.
Phon Phanna cut Vilchez with an elbow late in the fifth, and as referee Meas Sokry stopped the fight to wipe away the blood, Phon Phanna smiled and stabbed a glove into the air.
The crowd, the judges and the Peruvian thought otherwise.
Izadi surprised at decision loss
In the co-feature, Heng Samrang outworked Iranian welterweight Masood Izadi to score s victory decision.
“I’m confused,” said a visibly stunned Izadi, who climbed onto the ropes and pumped his fists into the air after the fight. “In Thailand, I win that fight. I blocked every kick. He scored nothing.”
Despite a solid defensive outing, judges likely gave the victory to Battambang’s Heng Samrang because of Isazi’s lack of offence.
