By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Jaime “Little James” Arboleda (16-1, 13 KOs) survived a knockdown in the tenth round to pull out a razor-thin split decision victory over Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez (29-6-1, 21 KOs) in a WBA world super featherweight eliminator on Saturday night at the PPL Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Arboleda appeared to take control in rounds 5 through seven with heavy hooks, but Velez wouldn’t back down and countered well. Velez rocked Arboleda in the tenth. Velez seemed to know he needed a knockout in the twelfth and final round. He almost got his wish as he dropped Arboleda with a five-punch combination. Arboleda was in bad shape as Velez continued to bang away. Arboleda held several times as Velez continued the onslaught, but the bell sounded before Velez could land a last big shot. One judge saw the bout 115-112 for Jayson Velez, but was overruled as the other two officials saw it 114-113 for Jaime Arboleda, giving him the split nod.
Celeb never gets a break
Good fight. I had Velez winning, but tough to score.
Velez unfairly robbed. Great fight, though!
This fight saved the entire card. 2 men that came to fight, back and forth action, with a scenario at the end that I.M.O should have given the win to Velez. One thing is certain, I would not mind a rematch. Both guys are to be commended, a barn burner to save showtime from the 2 snorefest that came after this fight.They should get a bonus both guys.
Are OLED a got a gift from judges should have been a draw !
This was the fight of the night. Velez finished strong, especially during the last two rounds. However, Arboleda had dominated the early rounds and had compiled a lead heading into those two final rounds.
It was a case of too little, too late for Velez. It was a close fight, but Arboleda just had too big a lead. Velez needed to stop him or knock him down a couple more times for a different outcome. As it was, he came very close to ending it, but just ran out of time. A close decision, but I believe the right man won.
Velez clearly won the fight he won; 1,2,3 easy.
middle rounds belonged to Alboleda. Velez won 4 of the last 5 rnds including the 12th+1 (knockdown). Judge who had it 115-112 Velez was the right score.
the fans don’t lie, great fight but the decision was loudly bood!
*I was at the fight.