Filipino challenger Edward Heno scored a third-round knockdown but failed to step on the gas in the final rounds and blew his chance of scoring an upset win over World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-flyweight champion Elwin Soto of Mexico yesterday in Indio, California.
Making the first defense of the WBO 108-ln title, Soto was given an eight-count by referee Jerry Cantu after Heno landed a right hook that had him touching the floor.
Stung by the knockdown, Soto came out smoking in the fourth round but Heno relished his foe’s aggression and while the Filipino puncher wasn’t as effective, it was crystal clear that he was the busier.
Heno, fighting for the world title for the first time, scored on uppercuts at close range in the middle rounds but Soto rebounded strongly in the latter part of the fight en route to earning scores of 115-112 (twice) and 114-113.
The victory raised Soto’s record to 16-1 with 11 KOs while the loss was the first for Heno, who dropped to 14-1 with five KOs.
“If only Edward stepped on the gas in the final two rounds, he could have won it,” said Sean Gibbons, the right-hand man of Manny Pacquiao.
Marty Elorde, who manages Heno, swears his fighter didn’t disappoint.
“Edward didn’t let us down,” said Elorde, admitting, though, that as challenger, Heno should have given out more. (Nick Giongco)
