Mafikeng, South Africa. Michael Domingo of the Philippines lost his IBF Title Eliminator bout against South African native Vusi Malinga in a highly contested match that went the full twelve rounds.
The Filipino veteran sarted out strong outboxing the South African stunning him with a straight that caught Malinga’s attention early. The second round went the same way with Domingo boxing flawlessly and landing a solid body punch that obviously hurt and backed up his opponent but failed to finish him off. The third round was a give and take with Malinga increasing his work load but Domingo sticked to his plan of boxing to take the round.
Sensing some kind of urgency, Malinga upped the tempo catching the Filipino with solid blows to the temple that took it’s effect on Domingo in the fourth round and in the fifth unleashed an uppercut that left a gash in Domingo’s left eyelid.
In the next round, Domingo, who was bothered with the cut tried to play the inside game with Malinga but could not execute as he was using only one eye. He occassionally stepped into Malinga’s bread and butter uppercut and seemed out of it but showing heart and determination, the Filipino answered back with flurry’s of his own.
The partisan crowd who was cheering on their homeboy from the openning bell were surprised and stunned to see the Filipino push forward as he again shocked Malinga with power shots during their heated exchanges through rounds 7 and 8.
Sensing he was in more trouble than he expected, Domingo slowly battled back in the 9th using his experience and outgunning and outboxing the South African. He even pushed himself harder taking the next two rounds. Both fighters gave their all during the final round sending the crowd up their feet until the final bell.
In the end, the Judges saw the fight going Malinga’s way with one of the two South African Judges scoring the bout 114 all. The Polish Judge scoring the bout 115-113 for Malinga and the other hometown Judge saw a different bout scoring it a 117-111 for their boy.
After the announcement, Domingo and his team went down the ring and was greeted with chants of his name and people coming up to him. Ladies, kids and gentlemen alike came to him asking to shake his hand and taking photos with him. Some people in the crowd even told Domingo that he won the fight. A group of Filipinos who drove from the neighboring towns with their family and friends greeted their kabayan as well.
Michael Domingo gave his all and may have failed in this boxing duel in South Africa but he surely won the hearts of the people who witnessed the guts he showed in Mafikeng.