Saturday, November 10, 2007 Quijano: Lost in translation By Jingo Quijano Last Round
YUKKA Gejon (23-3, 14KOs) is an affable young kid. He’s had two unsuccessful world title shots and is rated in the top 10 by two alphabet bodies. But they didn’t name him “Nice Guy” for no apparent reason.
Pressed by this writer for an autopsy of his shocking 69 second demolition at the hands of murderous punching Roman Gonzales (15-0, 15KOs), in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, he was never the type to give out outlandish comments that a columnist would relish.
But this much he revealed.
He wasn’t actually hurt and could have continued. If so, why the meek surrender? Here’s his story.
First, let me correct myself. In my previous column, I had stated that Yukka knew about his opponent and his record while he was still here in Cebu.
Apparently, he actually only got the right information a few weeks before the fight, when he was already in Japan. All along, he thought was that he would be fighting a Venezuelan with a good knockout record. But that’s even worse, isn’t it?
Second, he had less than a month to train. And he could not train properly as he had already suffered an injury to his left shoulder in his unsuccessful title bid against Yutakaa Nidaa just last September.
Third, he never got to watch tape of Gonzales. He supposed to have been provided with the videos, but a few days before the fight, they mysteriously became unavailable. Yukka was informed that he could just watch them after at the weigh in.
And would it be delivered to him so he could watch them at his own leisure time? Tee hee! Sorry, you had to go to the Teiken Gym of Japanese businessman-sportsman Akihiko Honda. And forego much needed rest and rehydration after the weigh-in? Yukka’s team didn’t bother.
Finally, he was informed, misinformed rather, that his opponent would be a southpaw. Therefore, he trained for a left-handed opponent. It was only on fight day that he learned that Roman was orthodox. Who gave him the false info? I’ll keep it to myself, but to give you a hint, let’s just say it was lost in translation.
During the fight itself, Yukka was grazed in the right eye by a glancing uppercut and it immediately swelled up. He couldn’t see out of it and so he got hit by a paralyzing body shot.
Did Roman really hit that hard? He was good and fast, but no, he couldn’t really say if he hit exceptionally hard, said Yukka. He got knocked down because he didn’t see the punch coming and figured it would be worse for him if he continued, so he allowed himself to be counted out.
WAKEE. I contacted Yukka’s manager Rex “Wakee” Salud and he confirmed that he was aware of Yukka’s injury but Wakee countered that Yukka apparently always gets injured when a big fight nears and that they had contractual obligations to perform, so they had to push through with the fight.
Wakee also admitted they were unable to get tapes of Roman, as it was not anymore their top priority.
QUO VADIS? Indeed, victory has many fathers but defeat is a lonely, abandoned orphan. But this is where Yukka distinguishes himself as a fighter.
He blames nobody but himself. Ultimately, he acknowledges that it was his choice to push through with the fight-and thereafter, not to continue with it.
An admirable trait indeed. But bear in mind Yukka, you’re in a tough sport. And yes- sometimes nice guys do finish last.
LAST ROUND. It’s on my good friend Atty. Erwin Rommel “Heyboy” Heyrosa who celebrates his birthday this week surrounded and blessed with the love and support of lovely wife Dr., Tess and their son Rommel Joseph. Cheers!