For combat followers the world over, mere point out of the town of Manila within the Philippines will all the time conjure up recollections of the legendary third and closing conflict between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. That epic struggle of heavyweight titans totally deserves its standing as one of many best slugfests in boxing historical past, however it’s not the one thrilling championship conflict which the capital metropolis has hosted.
Again in 1982 Filipino combat followers witnessed one other blistering brawl when tremendous featherweight champion Rolando Navarrete defended his title towards Korean challenger Chung-Il Choi. It’s a very nice combat which has by no means obtained its simply due. A crowd of some thirty thousand turned out to see their countryman tackle a comparatively inexperienced challenger, however one who had twelve knockouts in 13 fights, eight of them over Filipino boxers, and who additionally loved important benefits in each peak and attain.
The match was a slugfest from the opening bell. This was Choi’s massive probability and he knew it and so he began quick, pursuing the champion from the outset and throwing sharp jabs adopted by heavy right-left mixtures. His aggression received him the primary spherical, however Navarrete rebounded within the second, the southpaw’s shorter, extra correct punches drawing crimson from Choi’s nostril. Even so, the challenger continued to be the aggressor as he aimed his energy pictures at Navarrete’s head, whereas the Filipino concentrated his assault on the Korean’s stomach. It was fast-paced and livid motion all the best way, the gang applauding the joy, however one of the best was but to return.
Rounds three and 4 have been very shut, the challenger maybe edging them by advantage of sheer punch output, to not point out his bodily benefits. Navarrete needed to take severe dangers to maneuver inside Choi’s attain and land heavy left palms to the physique and he was paying a worth each time he attacked. After which Choi nearly ended it in spherical 5.
Each males have been touchdown their share of thudding pictures when Choi staggered the champion with a proper hand. Undeterred, Navarrete saved coming ahead and throwing massive left palms, within the course of leaving himself vast open. Choi saved throwing and touchdown and a collection of sharp blows lastly put the champion on the canvas. The courageous Filipino was critically harm however he immediately scrambled to his toes. Fortunately for him, the bell rang earlier than Choi may resume his assault.
The sixth spherical noticed the challenger in full management. He saved a torpid and stunned-looking Navarrete on the top of his punches and tagged him repeatedly with jabs and proper palms. Nonetheless, maybe cautious of being caught by a heavy counter shot from the champion, he didn’t assault with the abandon of the earlier rounds and certain let his probability of a stoppage victory slip away. Earlier than the top of the around the snap had returned to Navarrete’s punches and simply earlier than the bell he staggered Choi with a proper hook.
The champion surged in spherical seven as he blocked extra of Choi’s punches earlier than countering along with his personal firepower. He was timing the challenger now, discovering openings for his straight left and beginning to put his punches collectively. The eighth was the turning level, an exhilarating and action-packed spherical. For nearly the complete three minutes the 2 warriors stood toe-to-toe, giving and taking severe punishment. Each had their moments right here, each connecting with dozens of energy pictures, however this marked the start of the top for the challenger.
Navarrete continued to achieve the higher hand in spherical 9. Choi was tiring now, slowing down, and Navarrete was beating him to the punch with sharp jabs to arrange his highly effective left. Close to the top of the spherical he pressured the challenger to the ropes and dug to the physique with each palms. Nonetheless, Choi got here out quick to start out the tenth, letting his palms go. The 2 fighters exchanged toe-to-toe earlier than a brief proper from the champion caught Choi flush and decked him. The challenger was badly harm and now it was his flip to barely beat the rely after which be saved by the bell.
The slugfest continued in spherical eleven and, amazingly, it was Choi once more outpunching the champion, but it surely proved his final hurrah. Navarrete waited for the best second earlier than he struck once more with the best hook and toppled the courageous Korean. This time the challenger couldn’t beat the rely. The second the referee signaled the top of the titanic wrestle the winner and nonetheless champion collapsed as the gang stood and roared. It was a becoming finish to an amazingly grueling combat: two warriors, victor and vanquished, side-by-side on the canvas after having given and brought a lot.
It was an unforgettable battle and neither man was ever the identical. Each would endure defeat not lengthy after (paradoxically, to the identical boxer, Rafael Limon) and neither would ever once more win a world title combat.
Choi walked away from boxing shortly after, however Navarrete fought on, the Filipino champion lastly quitting for good in 1991 and shortly sufficient his life fell aside. Medicine, home violence, divorce, jail, sickness, poverty — the lifetime of “The Unhealthy Boy from Dadiangas” has been utter chaos for the reason that finish of his ring profession. However regardless of the shame and the squalor, nobody can ever take from Navarrete what he achieved, the heights he reached and the recollections of the nice battles he fought. His victory over Chung-Il Choi was one of many best. — Robert Portis
