Bocachica edges Reyes, remains unbeaten

Shobox Bocachica V Reyes Jr Fight Night Westcott 065
Photo: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

A clash between undefeated welterweight power-punchers surprisingly went the distance on Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Very close and spirited fight with Janelson Bocachica (17-0, 11 KOs) emerging with a majority decision over Mark Reyes Jr. (14-1, 12 KOs). Scores were 95-95, 96-94, 97-93 Bocachica.

“I felt like I had a unanimous decision but I just need to go back and watch the tape,” said the 22-year-old Bocachica. “I felt like it was an easy victory and I took him to school. He had a short temper and he came out talking trash so you know I had to talk my trash back. But it was all part of the game plan to get him emotional in the ring and it worked in my advantage.”

Reyes stated, “I don’t disagree with the scorecards tonight. I obviously could have done more to win but it was a close fight nonetheless. I just have to go back to drawing board and train harder. I need to execute things a little bit better during the preparation for my fight. I can’t take anything away from the judges.”

Unbeaten super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin (12-0, 7 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Sena Agbeko (23-2, 18 KOs). Shishkin overcame a nasty cut over his left eye to win 98-92, 100-90, 100-90.

Lightweight Abraham Montoya (20-2-1, 14 KOs) outworked previously unbeaten Alejandro Guerrero (12-1, 9 KOs) to take an eight round majority decision. Scores were 76-76, 79-73, 77-75.

Unbeaten middleweight Timur Kerefov (10-0, 5 KOs) scored a first round KO over late sub Fernando Farias (10-1-2, 4 KOs). A body shot finished Farias.

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  • The fight started out as a barnburner then slowed down to a crawl as the rounds went on. Bocachica’s punches were wider and slower while Reyes threw shorter, much more compact counters. Bocachica should have used his jab a lot more and mixed up his head and body punches much better. At times, he just pawed with his jab and often forgot to use it when the many lulls in the action occurred.

    Once the two fighters sampled each other’s power shots, the fight became much more strategic with a lot of posing and not as much punching. It could have been ruled a draw and I wouldn’t have complained about the decision. Bocachica has more potential for advancement because of his height and reach but Reyes also has a bright future ahead of him.

    Bocachica really needs to use his jab more consistently, shorten his punches so he doesn’t become as vulnerable to counters, and mix in some body shots with his headhunting. Reyes needs to be more active and alternate going first with counterpunching. His counter left hook was effective, but he didn’t land it cleanly often once Bocachica got wise to it.

    The fight was there for the taking but neither one was able to establish dominance, hence the extremely close cards with Bocachica getting the nod. He was the aggressor throughout, which I assume gave him the edge with the judges.

  • The guy thought he had an easy victory what drug he is on should at least be a draw, I gave Reyes the edge!!;

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