By Yoon Chul
Boxer Kim Ji-hoon failed to become the 45th Korean world champion losing to Mexican Miguel Vazquez, Sunday (KST).
After lasting 12 rounds, Kim had to accept a 3-0 (120-108, 119-109, 118-110) unanimous decision in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight class in Texas and Vazquez took the vacant IBF lightweight belt improving his record to 26-3.
Kim was expected to overwhelm the Mexican. The Korean’s punch was much harder, but Vazquez stuck to his intended game plan, collecting points to be ahead in the judges’ decision.
The 23-year-old Kim aimed to land heavy clean hits with his straight right, but most of them failed to connect.
Meanwhile Vazquez bothered the visitor with his left jab.
The Mexican circled around the ring escaping Kim’s blows and scored a few clean hits to Kim’s face.
He didn’t do any real damage to Kim as Vazquez’s blows didn’t have much behind them, but it was good enough to score points.
The Mexican knew that Kim’s punch was powerful and he didn’t allow the Korean to get in range for a clean shot.
Vazquez kept his distance from Kim using his jab and dashing in to attack Kim’s body. Holding Kim or the ropes during a clinch made it hard for Kim to develop any momentum.
The young and less-experienced challenger couldn’t find an answer to Vazquez’s ploy in 12 rounds, with his simple one-twos just finding air.