Japanese boxer Keita Kurihara kneels beside Filipino bet Renan Portes after their boxing fight in Tokyo. –SCREENGRAB FROM VIDEO/EDMOND LAPITAN DELLOSA’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
MANILA, Philippines—In a genuine class act, Japanese boxer Keita Kurihara disowned his victory over Filipino journeyman Renan Portes last Monday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
What seemed an ordinary eight-round boxing match took a bizarre turn after an emotional Kurihara addressed the crowd and boldly said “I didn’t win this fight” shortly following the announcement of his split decision win.
Two Japanese judges scored it, 78-74, for Kurihara while the other also had it, 78-74, but in favor of Portes.
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A video on Facebook that has gone viral also shows a regretful Kurihara apologizing to Portes while inside the Bukidnon native’s locker room.
“I was declared the winner, but I believe I lost. It’s shameful that I was declared the winner. I apologize,” said Kurihara through a translator.
A win would’ve been a much needed one for Portes, who instead slumped to his 17th loss against 13 wins.
Kurihara, meanwhile, hiked his record to 19-8-1, 16KOs.
Prior to facing Portes, Kurihara beat another Filipino in Froilan Saludar in a rematch last January in Cebu in a fight where the Japanese knocked out the former world title contender in the eighth round.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the 35-year-old Portes, who had promised his daughter that he would go back home a winner.
“I promised my child that I won’t return home a loser,” Portes said, as seen in a video posted by Edmond Lapitan Dellosa on Facebook. “In the sixth round, I felt groggy but [I fought back] because I promised my child I would bring home the victory.”
“He said you won,” a translator told Portes while Kurihara, still awash in grief, knelt beside the Filipino muttering apologies. “He believes you won and that’s what you should tell your child. He’s going to fight to let the record reflect that you won.”