Filipino Oliva bows to Mexican Solis in IBF title fight

JETHER Oliva of the Philippines failed in his attempt to win a world title,  losing by unanimous decision to Mexico’s Ulises Solis in their IBF light flyweight title bout Sunday at the at the Auditorio Benito Juarez in Guadalajara, Mexico.

It was a one-sided victory for the champion as Oliva’s lack of experience made him unable to sustain his early aggression.

Oliva’s lack of defense also took its toll as Solis easily landed the stronger combinations en route to a 118-110, 119-109 and 120 -108 victory.

Oliva suffered his first loss and dropped to 17-1-1 (win-loss-draw) with 11 knockouts while Solis improved to 34-2 with 21 KOs.

This was the first defense of Solis after winning the title in April against Argentinean Luis Alberto Lazarte.

Solis now has a 5-1 record against Filipino boxers. He lost to Brian Viloria (2009) and beat Oliva, Bert Batawang (twice 2007 and 2010), Glenn Donaire (2008) and Rodel Mayol (2007).

Meanwhile, unheralded Moisés Fuentes (14W-1L, 6 KOs) claimed the WBO minimumweight championship with an upset twelve-round split decision win over his countryman Raúl “Rayito” Garcia (30W-2L, 18 KOs).

Scores were 114-112, 114-112 for Fuentes and 114-112 for Garcia.   /correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.