Boxing: Narrow defeat brings lessons for Pakau

By PETER JESSUP

Santos Pakau did his career no damage and learned a lot about combating the southpaw style when he lost a split points decision to the Thai Pan Asian Boxing Association super-featherweight champion in Auckland.

Pongsith Wiangwiset used his superior experience and Pakau's lack of knowledge of the leftie style to grind out the win at the Alexandra Park convention centre on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Thai did enough in the early rounds to take a points lead. By the time Pakau adjusted, got inside the Thai's defences and started to score himself, it was already too late.

"The Thai took the initiative off him at the start," said the 20-year-old's manager, Mike Edwards. "We knew he'd come over with the attitude he was a man against a boy, but Santos came back pretty well.

"We'd like to fight him again, over there."

The first two rounds were even, as the fighters felt each other out.

By round three Wiangwiset was feeling more comfortable, Pakau was still trying to work out how to fight without a jab and the visitor was accumulating points as the previously undefeated New Zealand lightweight champ from Onehunga learned a lesson.

The Thai won the middle rounds. Pakau decided he had to take the fight to the visitor and did that well, forcing Wiangwiset into a holding pattern.

He pushed Pakau's head down and held him in gridlock, a couple of times lucky not to lose points for holding while delivering.

He knew all the tricks and he used them all.

Pakau flew into his work in the eleventh but fatigue was setting in and he walked into a couple of big hits.

By the last round, the Thai was dancing away from him because he knew he had it won.

Visiting Thai judge Pinit Prayadsab had it 119-110; New Zealand's Frank Martinez scored it 119-111.

The only explanation for Vanuatu judge Charlie Clements' score of 116-115 to Pakau is that he enjoyed his stay here and is keen to return.

But it was no massacre. Pakau was not marked in any way.

He had forced the visitor, a two-time Olympian as an amateur, to work hard for his eighth pro-win and seventh defence of the title.

"It was his best test to date," said Edwards of Pakau, now 26-1. "He's disappointed, of course, but when he thinks about what he learned it will feel better."

Algerian Olympian Mohammed Azzouai won a unanimous points decision over tough Samoan Aucklander Bob Gasio in a six-round contest at cruiserweight. The shorter Gasio copped plenty as he advanced into the bigger man's reach.

He would have landed one of his haymakers against a slower opponent, but Azzouai has real evasive skill.

Aucklander Cory Burton won a unanimous decision over Ricky Sharp after six rounds at lightweight.

Rawiri Wiremu worked the body of Jamie Waru unmercilessly and Waru collapsed to the canvas twice in the last of six rounds at light-welterweight, giving Wiremu a unanimous decision.