By David Robinett at ringside
Photos: Tom Hogan – Tom Hogan Photography/Golden Boy Promotions
In an old school ESPN slugfest between two reliably exciting veterans of the ring, Mauricio Herrera (24-7, 7 KOs) banked enough rounds early to withstand the late rally of Jesus Soto Karass (28-12-4, 18 KOs) to earn a ten-round majority decision by scores of 95-95, 96-94, 96-94 in the main event at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.
Both fighters worked behind the jab early, with Herrera the more active of the two. It was apparent early on that Herrera’s game plan was to box the bigger Soto Karass, and he generally did a good job early of avoiding prolonged exchanges. However Soto Karass kept coming forward, drawing Herrera into more frequent exchanges as the bout progressed. Surprisingly Herrera held his own trading punches with Soto Karass but utilized more boxing in rounds five and six, circling Soto Karass and relying on his left jab to keep Soto Karass at a safe distance. There were a handful of good exchanges in each of the middle rounds, but not enough for Soto Karass to change the momentum of the fight, with Herrera switching back to boxer-puncher whenever things started to tighten up. However by round eight the distance evaporated and the remainder of the fight was fought in close quarters with neither fighter taking a step back. Although Herrera countered effectively, the last three rounds clearly favored the heavier handed Soto Karass, who opened a bad cut over Herrera’s right eye in round nine and was beginning to overpower Herrera until he ran out of time at the final bell. Continue reading “Herrera edges Soto-Karass; Shabranskyy stops Unthank-May”
By David Robinett at ringside Photos: Tom Hogan – Tom Hogan Photography/Golden Boy Promotions In an old school ESPN slugfest between two reliably exciting veterans of the ring, Mauricio Herrera…
Read More »