Tim Bradley Retains WBO Title By Split Verdict Over Juan Marquez At Thomas & Mack Center

Californian upset artist, Tim “Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. (31-0 w/12 KOs), looked to defend his WBO Welterweight Title for the second time this year against Mexico City’s brightest star, Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1 w/40 KOs) inside the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The stakes were high as both fighters had something important too lose going into the fight be it a championship, undefeated winning streak or a chance at boxing immortality. A win for Bradley meant another chance at redemption following what has been a tumultuous 16-months ever since lifting that WBO crown via a controversial split decision from Manny Pacquiao last June. A win for Marquez meant a coveted 5th title in a fifth weight class as he aimed to secure his place amongst the greatest Mexican fighters of his generation and of all-time. With both men having been on questionable sides of the judge’s verdict in past outings, fans could only hope that there was a clear-cut winner tonight but controversy reared its ugly head as Tim Bradley retained his WBO belt by way of a split decision.

The match opened up and ended with Tim Bradley moving forward attacking and Juan Marquez endlessly looking to counter. The California native boxed beautifully, using constant lateral movement, sliding in and out of the pocket when needed and throwing just the right amount of punches before his opponent threw something in return before slipping out of trouble. Bradley’s superb conditioning as well as strategy to out box the perceived better technician materialized greater and greater as the rounds continued. The continuous movement of the champion Bradley, also put Marquez in a box, leaving him open to straight right hand shots or forcing him to fight tentative incidentally forgetting to use his jab.

Other than a boxing lesson implemented by Bradley’s amazing cardio as well as intelligent boxing, other factors may have played a role in the Marquez loss. The 4-division title holder could also blame his corner for instructing him that he was ahead in the fight. This could have made him relaxed rather than push for a KO while it actually was Tim Bradley who stunned Marquez on two separate occasions, once in the 10th round and once in the 12th round. Also, possibly when Juan was looking to move or muster an offense, his age might have finally caught up to him affecting his physical prowess. Nonetheless, the future “Hall of Famer” should have no shame in his performance as one judge had the bout in favor of him. The official scores read 115-113 and 116-112 for the champion Tim Bradley as he remains WBO champion while one judge saw it 115-113 for Juan Marquez.

Salido Stops Cruz In 7th To Claim WBO Crown

In the co-main event of the night the vacant WBO Featherweight Title was on the line as Puerto Rico’s Orlando Cruz (20-3-1) took on Mexican veteran, Orlando Salido (40-12-2). The famous “Puerto Rico versus Mexico” boxing rivalry added a new chapter to its ongoing competition as each country’s representative brought everything to the bout except the kitchen sink. Cruz jabbed Salido and unleashed various left hooks and combinations while Salido matched his foe’s work rate and pressured, pressured, pressured with looping rights and uppercuts. The first few rounds were boxed masterfully by Cruz as he popped his jab and slipped his foe’s punches with relative easy. However, as the fight progressed into the 4th round, Cruz decided to stand and trade with Salido giving way to an action-packed battle.

Salido came forward relentlessly throwing his looping shots or hooks to the body. Cruz slipped some but stood trading more and more as the rounds progressed therefore getting caught in the exchanges. The body shots thrown by Salido started to also take some of the movement away from Cruz, taking his legs from him. Towards the end of the 7th round, Salido really poured on the pressure trapping his foe in the corner landing a clean right hand-left uppercut combination that floored Cruz who hit the canvas, failing to make it to his feet as he cringed in pain on the floor.

The official time of the KO came at (1:05) of the 7th round for Orlando Salido as he defeats Orlando Cruz to capture the vacant WBO Featherweight Title.

Jose RAMIREZ (24-2-2) vs. Vasyl LOMACHENKO (0-0)
(10 Rounds – WBO International Featherweight Title Bout)

The second fight of the main card featured Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomanchenko making his professional debut opposite a seasoned fighter in Jose Ramirez.. Allot of hype had been generated from the Ukraine boxer’s debut giving his amature background and he backed it up with an impressive finish of Ramirez.

In the first round, Lomachenko sent his man to the canvas about halfway into the stanza with a beautiful sequence that ended with a flush left hook to the body. Ramirez beat the count and kept coming forward during the next couple of rounds in hopes of landing something meaningful. However, he never found his range as his Ukraine adversary picked him apart using lightning fast combos of 3 or 4 punches. In the 4th round, another Lomachenko combination sent Ramirez to the canvas yet again off of a perfectly placed body shot. This time Jose Ramirez could not rise back to his feet and beat referee Russell Mora’s count.

Result: Vasyl Lomanchenko makes a sensational professional debut to capture the WBO International Featherweight Title by defeating Jose Ramirez via KO at (2:59) of the 4th round.

Anthony SMITH (14-1) vs. Sean MONAGHAN (18-0)
(10 Rounds – WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight Title Bout)

Smith and Monaghan set off the HBO PPV as the first fight on the main card from the Thomas & Mack Center. Both light heavyweights got off to a good, early start but Monaghan’s motor proved that he was the slicker sports car out of the two destructive vehicles. He left the jab in the locker room thus opting to trade leather in the pocket with Smith. To his credit, Anthony Smith marched towards his opponent looking to land, but his shots were wide and lacked the necessary speed as well as accuracy to make their mark. Sean Monaghan on the other hand ripped away at his man’s body and head with vicious intent stanza after stanza. It was only a matter of time before Monaghan took total control with his power punching and did so in the 3rd round. A series of punches from Monaghan stunned Smith who was almost out on his feet fighting on heart alone. A few more landed punches from Monaghan prompted the referee to stop the match preventing any further punishment to the spirited warrior.

Result: Sean Monaghan retains his WBC Intercontinental Americas title remaining unbeaten as he defeats Anthony Smith via TKO at (2:39) of the 3rd round.

Geovanny CARO (23-13-4) vs. Jun DOLIGUEZ (16-0-1)
(8 Rounds – Featherweight Bout)

The last bout of the preliminary card rolled into the arena with all the thunder and lighting that a featherweight bout could offer. Both warriors fought a close quarters, exchange heavy blows trading hooks and over hands at a high percentage. The difference in the match came down to punch resistance as the rounds poured on and the man clearly able to dish out as well as he got was Doliguez.  Caro had his moments when he boxed and used lateral movement, but unfortunately he fell into the trap of getting into a slugging match with his man. By the halfway point of the bout, Doliguez’ 1-2 combination started to really do some damage. Caro’s movement as well as his pace slowed down noticeably going into the second half as it appeared Doliguez was only getting stronger. Even though he was ahead on the cards, Doliguez went in for the kill and landed a solid right hand-straight left combo that leveled his foe. Caro beat the count like the warrior that he is but the same Doliguez combination caught him again shortly thereafter, sending the brave soul crashing into the ropes. The referee had seen enough instinctively waiving the fight off.

Result: Jun Doliguez remains unbeaten by defeating Geovanny Caro via TKO at (2:53) of the 6th round.

Albert HERRERA (9-9-1) vs. Mikael ZEWSKI (20-0)
(8 Rounds – Welterweight Bout)

The first slightly one-sided match of the evening saw Zewski put on a jabbing exhibition against Herrera. Whether he used it to set up combinations and get in on the inside or to enable him to pepper his man from the outside, the jab was the weapon of choice as it landed constantly.  When Zewski moved in ready to fight at close range, the same punch allowed him to rip away at his man’s head or body. Herrera was game as he threw his own jab back and looked to let off some return fire but the difference in class was only more apparent round after round, thus prompting the TKO stoppage to prevent any further damage.

Result: Mikael Zewski remains unbeaten by defeating Albert Herrera via 5th round TKO.

Eric WATKINS (10-4-1) vs. Trevor MCCUMBY (12-0)
(6 Rounds – Light Heavyweight Bout)

The next bout of the evening started as a fight then quickly turned into a mild brawl. Both men came forward looking to bang and early in the 1st round, McCumby sent Watkins to the floor off of a crisp combination. Watkins beat the count
then in the 2nd round was stunned by a right hand-left hook combo from McCumby. Just as the tide started turning for McCumby’s,  Watkins returned the favor during an exchange were the two light heavies traded right hands. Watkins’ punch was flush more devastating, sending McCumby to the canvas for the first in the Chicago native’s career. The next round slowed down action wise but the heat started right back up in the 4th stanza.  McCumby used his legs more then corned his man along the ropes landing a picture perfect left hand on the face of Watkins, sending him to the floor. Watkins beat the count and marched forward for the next few rounds valiantly, but McCumby landed the cleaner, harder and more accurate shots from then on seemingly able to stun his opponent with ease as he kept calm towards the last bell.

Result: Trevor McCumby remains unbeaten by defeating Eric Watkins via unanimous decision.  Two judges (59-53), the last judge has it (58-53).

Kenny ABRIL (14-6-1-1) vs. Brad SOLOMAN (20-0)
(8 Rounds – Welterweight Bout)

Abril and Soloman kicked off the night as they were the opening bout from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Soloman showcased his Roy Jones-like stance as he kept a low guard before shooting a right or left hook from the hip unto Abril. He repeated this approach, also occasionally doubling up the left hook to the head and body. Towards the middle of the bout Abril began to find a home for his left hand, backing up his foe as he gained some momentum. However, Soloman made the adjustments necessary and started leading with his right hand, landing first and landing cleanly.  The hand speed really made the difference the rest of the bout enabling Soloman to remain in command as he cruised to a decision.

Result: Brad Soloman remains unbeaten as he defeats Kenny Abril  via unanimous decision.
Two judges (79-73) with the last giving a (80-72).