MANILA, Philippines - Misfortune struck Philippine boxing once more Monday night after Sonny Boy Jaro surrendered his World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight crown to Japanese Toshiyuki Igarashi on a 12-round split decision, while challenger Michael Farenas's shot at wresting the World Boxing Association (WBA) super-featherweight title from reigning champion Takashi Uchiyama ended on a third-round technical draw in Saitama, Japan.
Jaro was making the first defense of the WBC 112-lb crown that he won last March but was not as lucky against Igarashi, who towered over the Filipino by at least three inches.
Igarashi was ahead on two scorecards, 116-112 and 115-113, while Jaro was the winner on the third scoresheet, 116-112.
Like the Jaro-Igarashi bout, the Farenas-Uchiyama showdown was a real heartbreaker as referee Raul Caiz Sr. had no choice but to stop the fight at the 1:31 mark after Uchiyama sustained a "wide and deep laceration" after a horrendous but accidental clash of heads.
Under the rules of boxing, Uchiyama would retain the WBA belt.
Uchiyama had entered the match riding high on a five-fight knockout streak.
Jaro's defeat leaves the Philippines with just three reigning world champions: light-fly Donnie Nietes, fly Brian Viloria and super-bantam Nonito Donaire.
Superstar Manny Pacquiao lost his welterweight title on a controversial split decision last June 9 in Las Vegas.
