MANILA – Negrense Robert “Toto” Landero was unable to clinch the IBO world minimumweight title with his unanimous decision loss to South African Simphiwe Khonco on Sunday in Umtata, South Africa.
It was the second time that the Pontevedra, Negros Occidental native lost in a world title bout after falling to WBA world minimumweight champ Thammanoon Niyomtrong of Thailand earlier this year.
Landero told Panay News he was surprised by the outcome of the fight after he dominated Khonco almost the entire match – even nearly sending him to the canvas at one point.
“Bugbog-sarado siya,” Landero said of his opponent. “Siguro ganoon talaga kapag hindi mo mapabagsak ang kalaban mo, tagilid ka sa scoring.”
“Noong sa gitna ng laban may pagkakataon na muntik ko na siyang mapabagsak pero matiisin itong si (Simphiwe). Ang ipinapasalamat ko na lang sa Panginoon ay naging ligtas ako sa fight,” he added.
The record of the 22-year-old Landero – a former WBC-EPBC minimumweight champion – dropped to 10-3-2 win-loss-draw including two knockout wins after his defeat.
On the other hand Khonco, 32, improved to 19 wins, five losses and zero draws with seven stoppage victories.
This was also the second time Khonco successfully defended the world title against a Filipino fighter after beating Lito Dante in June 2017 at Kempton Park in South Africa./PN
