Filipino boxing prospect Llover suffers first career loss

MANILA, Philippines — Going into Saturday’s match, an undefeated record is set to finally get a blemish.

Unfortunately for Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover, it was his record that got marked.

The rising boxing star absorbed his first loss in his young career after falling against Michael Angeletti in their International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight championship eliminator.

After 12 rounds, two judges scored the contest in favor of Angeletti (115-112 and 116-111) while one had Llover winning, 115-112.

The Filipino had a strong start, even sending his American opponent to the canvas late in the second round, which was contested by Angeletti as merely a slip.

But from that point on, the 29-year-old kept the pressure against Llover, throwing crisp and clean punches that landed home which kept the Filipino at bay.

“Lover Boy” tried to mount a comeback late, connecting on his combinations and counters.

But ultimately, the Filipino pug seemingly ran out of gas as the judges scored it in favor of Angeletti.

The defeat thus dropped Llover’s record to 17-1 (win-loss,) while Angeletti rose to 15-0.

The American is now is the mandatory challenger for the IBF bantamweight crown held by Jose Salas Reyes.

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