Jayson Vayson reflects on controversial corner stoppage: 'It was shocking'

Filipino boxer Jayson Vayson is still grappling with the controversial corner stoppage that ended his first world title bid against WBO and WBA minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo last September 21 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

The 27-year-old appeared competitive in the fight and was firing back in Round 7 when his corner suddenly threw in the towel, handing Collazo a stoppage victory. Trainer Allan Alegria and manager Brico Santig later explained they felt Vayson was fading as the rounds wore on, prompting them to halt the bout.

Vayson, however, strongly disagreed with the call.

“I’m still having a hard time accepting how my last fight ended. After all the sacrifices, hard training, and preparation, it’s disheartening to know the decision to stop the fight came from my own corner—not from me, the fighter,” Vayson wrote in a Facebook post.

“I know my team was likely concerned for my safety, or maybe even for my opponent’s, but the explanation they gave doesn’t sit right with me. We had a solid game plan, we weren’t supposed to rush things. That’s why it was shocking that they were the ones who rushed the decision,” he continued.

“If I had just been given one more round, I truly believe I could have turned the fight around. I know that if I landed clean, my opponent would’ve felt it. It’s frustrating because I wasn’t given the chance to prove that.”

The stoppage has sparked debate in the boxing community. DAZN’s commentary team was highly critical, saying everyone in Vayson’s corner “has to be fired.” The Filipino himself echoed the sentiment that the decision was premature.

“I feel like the fight was taken out of my hands too soon. Honestly, it’s a bit traumatizing, because in boxing, you prepare to face your opponent…not to be stopped by your own corner,” Vayson added.

“I still hope for a rematch, and I’ll keep pushing forward. But I can’t help asking: should a fight really be stopped for a reason like that?”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News