Jonathan Chicas, right, lands a right cross on Emmanuel Robles during their 8-round bout on July 18 at the Longshoremen’s Hall in San Francisco. Chicas lost by split decision. Photo Santiago Mejia

Boxing is unapologetic. Fighters get hurt, ribs get bruised, and a single blow can alter the result of a fight. Unfortunately, one of San Francisco’s own on Friday July 18 witnessed first hand the devastating experience of losing by just one punch.

The 25-year-old Jonathan Chicas, (13-2-1, KO) born and raised in San Francisco’s “Lakeview” neighborhood,” lost a very close 8-round light welterweight fight to Emmanuel Robles (11-0 3 KO) of San Diego at the Longshoreman’s Hall. A lone flash knockdown in the seventh round cost him the fight.

In the first nationally televised boxing event at the Longshoreman’s Hall in San Francisco since 2011, the hometown boxer Chicas looked determined to put on a great performance for his friends, family, and people tuning in on Fox Sports 1.

Chicas hadn’t fought in San Francisco since making his pro debut three years ago at the same locale. He had gone from fighting in the streets as a youngster to dedicating himself to boxing—a sport that has a history of accepting those with bare-knuckle priors.

With his white trunks with gold and blue trim—colors representing his parent’s native country of El Salvador—he made his way to the ring to encounter the unbeaten 26-year-old Robles. The short gritty southpaw, with his plain black trunks and raspy black beard, appeared poised to play the hometown spoiler.

From the opening bell, Robles bull-rushed Chicas into the ropes. He would continue that onslaught of pressure, but Chicas began to study Robles, implementing a sturdy jab and some crafty footwork to avoid some of the lefty’s biggest shots.

As the rounds wore on, Chicas noticeably made a few proper adjustments. He began to solve the problem the southpaw was causing him with his combinations and ever-pressing style. Then suddenly, Chicas began to find a home on Robles head for his right hand and left hook.

The swift footwork and crisp punches won Chicas some rounds on the official scorecards.

In the fifth round, Chicas landed right hands to Robles’ face. The authority of the blows shook Robles, sending the crowd into a complete frenzy as they roared the local kid’s name—“Chicas! Chicas!”

Yet the right hands were not enough. After throwing the same combination of two jabs followed by a right cross and a left hook, Robles had caught on to Chicas combinations and timing.

While fighting on the inside and attempting to come up with a body shot of his own in the seventh round, Robles landed a crisp left uppercut right on Chicas’ chin that sent him to the canvas. Chicas sprung back up and survived a hard fought round, but the result of the knockdown would prove costly.

Once the final bell tolled, Chicas, who had gone five fights without tasting defeat, was pronounced the loser of the contest, the referee raising Robles’ hand. Two judges had it 76-75 for Robles, while another had it 76-75 for Chicas after eight rounds.

Had it not been for that uppercut in round seven, the bout would have been declared a draw for both men.

From ringside, I had it scored 76-75 for Robles. The San Diego native, just like former welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito, smothered Chicas into an uncomfortable fight and held the position of effective aggressor.

In Chicas’ dressing room, the scene was somber. Humble in defeat, Chicas and his coach Oscar Rivadeneyra evaluated why he had lost. Fighters in similar situations have been known to blame a defeat on the nearest thing that comes to mind. Chicas, no stranger to the struggles outside of the ring, looked like a man making amends with the results.

We tried to speak to Chicas following the bout, but request were declined, understandably. On his Instagram account (@JonnyChee) he posted: “I don’t let a loss get me dwn cause I’ve took a lot of them in my young lifetime. Nothing to get use too so we back to working hard and making sure we correct the minor faults.”

A few days following the fight Jonathan Chicas told El Telecote through his media representative Claudia Lopez: “I will continue to work hard and not lose focus. I want to train in Los Angeles for a few months and gain experience. I’m considering a rematch.”

Chicas, a man with a self-described big heart and the charismatic smile, will have to wait a little bit longer for his shot at a world title.

For Chicas, the loss is warranted.

Like any fighter, Chicas can take this defeat and learn from it. We cannot know if his career is still a blossoming one, or if this loss will either raise or derail him. For that is the unapologetic sport of boxing.