Jokin ‘Hunter’ García claimed the European lightweight boxing title in a closely contested bout against Salvi Jiménez in Bilbao, securing a decision win that has sparked intense debate among fans and regional federations.
The Championship Bout at La Casilla
The 26-year-old Bilbao native captured the continental crown at the Pabellón de La Casilla as the clock approached midnight on a Saturday. García earned the victory on points over his opponent from Valladolid following twelve demanding rounds. However, the verdict delivered by the judges drew immediate scrutiny, dividing opinions within the boxing community and dampening the celebratory atmosphere for the newly crowned champion.
Contrasting Scorecards and Early Adversity
The judges’ tallies highlighted the closeness of the fight, featuring divergent cards that included a 111-116 and a 116-111 split. Early momentum favored Jiménez, who capitalized on an opening-round surge and landed a decisive right hand in the second frame that sent García to the canvas. Visibly surprised by the blow while unpositioned in his stance, the Bilbao fighter faced an uphill battle to recover from the knockdown.
Reflecting on the bout, García pointed to a shift in momentum starting from the fifth round, where sustained exchanges evened the contest. He noted that despite dropping the early rounds, he managed to control the pace through the middle and championship frames through constant pressure and initiative.
Federation Response and Public Reaction
Following the decision, the Boxing Federation of Castile and León issued a statement supporting Jiménez, characterizing the outcome as unexpected and calling on the European Boxing Union to review the result. Jiménez publicly challenged the verdict while clarifying that his criticism targeted the scoring rather than García personally, whom he acknowledged as a dedicated competitor.
García addressed the public criticism upon receiving his belt, expressing pride in his ability to overcome adversity and secure the title. Drawing parallels to former champions who fought through adversity, the continental titleholder emphasized that tightly contested bouts frequently produce polarized interpretations from spectators and ringside officials alike.
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