By Miguel Maravilla and Jeff Zimmerman at ringside
In the co-feature bout, former two-time super middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell (34-2-2, 25 KO’s) scored a fourth round knockout over Marcos Hernandez (15-5-2, 3 KO’s). A huge right uppercut by Dirrell did it as Hernandez was out cold. The referee reached a ten count at 22 seconds of the fourth.
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Former world champion Rey Vargas (35-0, 22 KO’s) of Mexico City, Mexico won a unanimous decision over Leonardo Baez (21-5, 12 KO’s) of Mexicali, Mexico in a featherweight bout. Vargas came out aggressive in the opening round as he swung for the fences throwing overhand rights on the tough Baez. It was relentless activity from Vargas in the early rounds as he let his hands go, Baez pressed attempting to get inside. In the fourth round, Vargas continued to be active throwing punches from different angles tallying up points. Continuing to let his hands go, Vargas offense was to much but Baez kept coming.
The second half of the fight, Vargas kept his distance and continued to let his hands go but Baez kept pressing. Vargas kept the activity consistent in the seventh but Baez was not going away. Late in the fight, Vargas activity slowed down, Baez suffered a cut on his head as he was bleeding profusely but kept coming. Vargas fought conservatively keeping his distance boxing as Baez proved to be a tough out for the former champion.
After completing the ten rounds the judges scored the bout 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91.
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Opening up the Showtime PPV telecast, Dominican super lightweight Elvis Rodriquez (12-1-1, 11 KO’s) scored a fifth round knockout over Juan Pablo Romero (14-1, 9 KO’s) of Mexico. Off to a slow start, Rodriguez and Romero worked the jab, later in the opening round Romero connected Rodriguez with a left hook to the body that momentarily stopped Rodriguez’s momentum. In round two, Romero and Rodriguez traded away exchanging big punches, Romero closed the round attacking. Romero pressed in round three as Rodriguez was fighting off his backfoot. In the fourth, the action continued, Rodriguez landed a straight left that staggered Romero as Rodriguez followed up with a barrage sending Romero to the canvas. A short left by Rodriguez in the fifth dropped Romero a second time as he was done, referee reached a ten count at 2:59.
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Super flyweight Fernando Diaz (10-1-1, 3 KO’s) of Riverside California scored a fifth round knockout over Jan Salvatierra (7-1, 3 KO’s) of Los Cabos, Mexico handing him his first defeat. The action began right away as Salvatierra and Diaz let their hands go. Fighting at close quarters, Salvatierra attacked but a counter left hook by Diaz dropped the undefeated fighter as he got up and stumbled to the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
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Super featherweight Jose Antonio Meza (8-6, 2 KO’s) of Durango, Mexico handed Jose Gomez (12-1, 5 KO’s) of Huntington Park, California his first defeat. Gomez scored a knockdown in the opening round and attacked. Staying on top of the taller fighter, Gomez made it uncomfortable for Meza connecting with the chopping right. Despite being knockdown, Meza rallied and outworked Gomez as he appeared to fade. In the end all three judges scored the bout 76-75.
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2016 Mexican Olympian, flyweight Joselito Velazquez (14-0-1, 9 KO’s) dominated Gilberto Mendoza (19-11-3, 10 KO’s) of San Francisco in winning a unanimous decision. Velasquez was patient early on working the jab and countering as Mendoza came out aggressive. In the fifth, a huge left hook by Velasquez hurt Mendoza as he staggered to the ropes. The undefeated prospect Velasquez, was impressive as he boxed well and connected precisely throughout the fight, credit to Mendoza for hanging in and being tough going the distance as Velasquez finished strong. All three judges scored the bout 80-72.
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In the opening bout from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, former world champion, super lightweight Rances Barthelemy (29-1-1, 15 KO’s) of Cuba scored a second round knockout over Gustavo Vitorri of Argentina. Barthelemy knocked Vitorri down twice as the referee 1:54 of the second round.
Good to see Barthelemy is back in the ring. He can still win a third world title.
Dude, I agree. Solid cat. So much is about promotion. All things being equal, this guy is right there in it.
Bernstein made a major blunder saying Plant was a big underdog when he won the title actually he was a big favorite.
I expect Alvarez to win but just a little think to consider to keep it interesting; Plant is fighting for his dead daughter. Loss is a great motivator. Again, not saying he WILL win(may not even last 12)but something to consider none the less.
Elvis has returned to the mix. We know Elvis Rodriguez has solid skills (enough said).
Romero is a good fighter, but he has to keep in his elbows to minimize damage from inside uppercuts. Elvis’ straight left also exposed holes in Romero’s defense. I thought it was odd to see Romero take a 10 count while not attempting (at least) to beat the 10 count. While Romero was taking a 10 count, it appeared previously undefeated Romero also went through the mental shock of ever tasting the canvas in a fight. We will see if Romero mentally overcomes this KO loss.
Meanwhile, I will continue keeping my eyes/ears open for Elvis Rodriguez.
It’s time!!!!!
Dirrell landed a nasty wind up shot. No clue how he was able to follow through and land that clean. Great shot!
Hernandez is a tough hombre, but he took a nasty shot. Not sure what is next for Dirrell, but maybe his can work out something with BJS or Jacobs. Otherwise, Dirrell will have to remain on standby until the dust settles among Canelo, D. Benavidez and Plant.
He’s already doing better than BJS did!
Plant is faster
Damn.. almost gotta turn down the volume. They show alot of bias in the commentary. Nonstop Canelo talk.
Ok.. lol.. knocked down twice in a few second span and it’s over in round 11.
Canelo reins SUPREME!