WAMBA HANGS ON
WBC cruiser champ just about keeps hold of his title, writes George Gigney
AT the time, WBC cruiser king Anaclet Wamba was France’s only reigning world champion, but he came dangerously close to losing his title against Kentuckyborn Adolpho Washington in front of just 700 spectators in Monte Carlo.
One judge had Wamba winning 116-114, though the other two had it 116-116 and 115-115, meaning Anaclet retained his belt on a majority draw.
“It was not an exciting affair, with Wamba dropping down to the level of his opponent and doing just enough to hold on to his crown,” we wrote.
Washington certainly seemed to start better, and when he tried to engage Wamba and slug it out, the champ elected to tuck up on the ropes instead.
Washington was doing enough in the first half of the fight, and it looked as though he’d take the contest on workrate. Wamba picked things up as the bout progressed, though he did not take advantage of Washington’s depleted energy levels from the 10th round onwards.
It seemed all to play for going into the 12th – but even that looked impossible to score, given how even it was.
“He bothered me with his unpredictable style and his manner of retreating,” Wamba said after that close final session.