Mateo Tapia remains undefeated after shock draw with Endry Saavedra
Venezuelan Endry Saavedra was left fuming after a shock draw in his middleweight fight against undefeated Aussie Mateo Tapia.
Saavedra appeared to have the upper hand for much of the fight, and recorded three knockdowns to one. He even sat on his trainer's shoulders after the final bell as if celebrating victory.
However, Tapia's only knockdown of the fight - off a vicious right hand jab late in the fifth round - might have been the moment that saved him the loss.
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Endry Saavedra was left fuming after judges declared his fight against Cesar Mateo Tapia a draw. Main Event
One judge awarded the fight to Tapia 94-92, while the other two scored it 93-93.
Speaking through a translator in the ring after the fight, Saavedra said he was "highly disappointed".
"I really don't understand what happened. I think everyone here saw what boxing was going on," he said.
"I don't understand how I can take him down three times and not take the win. I'm highly disappointed.
Cesar Mateo Tapia lands a right jab in his fight against Endry Saavedra which would be declared a draw. No Limit
"I've been away from my family now for about three months and I gave it my all. For it to be taken away from me is really sad."
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tapia said he was happy enough with the decision. He rated his performance only a C.
"I didn't feel the best, his tools got the better of me a little bit," he said.
"I feel the call could've gone either way. I'm no bullshit artist, but I feel a couple of those rounds were mine."
Even Tapia appeared resigned to his fate after the fight. No Limit
When asked about the knockdown, the Mexican-born Aussie said Saavedra's "awkward" style stopped him from finishing the job properly.
"He kept getting me with those little short shots and they were taking my wind a little bit," he said.
"From the start of the fight I knew he was here to fight and I had to be prepared for ten hard rounds, I showed my heart in there and I fought back."
Saavedra even celebrated victory on the shoulders of his trainer before the decision was made. No Limit
The first knockdown Saavedra inflicted on the Aussie nearly put him through the ropes, and left the Aussie with a swollen eye that quickly closed.
Saavedra said he was surprised his rival even got up from the blow, and isn't sure he'll be up for a rematch.
"I saw he was hurt - I didn't think he was going to get up," he said.
"But like every single Mexican warrior, he will always take it to the end. Today was not my day."
