Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin: Prelims Results Recap

Sergi Bohachuk (5-0) vs. Joan Valenzuela

(Super Welterweight Bout – 4 Rounds)

Bohachuk took on a game Valenzuela who made the fight last for as long as he could behind a poor defense and loopy, wide shots. The shorter man also gave up too much real estate by constantly backing up 2-3 steps before throwing a punch giving his man plenty of time to slip or block. ‘El Flaco’ marched towards his man looking for the perfect shot, opting to take his time and land combination after combination at close range.

In Round 2 the Californian found the shot that he was looking for as he walked his man along the ropes. Valenzuela covered up high but the Bohachuk shot went low, landing a picture-perfect left hook to the body of his man sending him to the mat instantly. Valenzuela beat referee Jay’s standing 8-count however, was in a bad spot from the on. Joan’s feet were flat and he was winging Hail Mary shots hoping something would land. Los Angeles’ Bohachuk blocked the shots easily while countering with power punches at will. From hooks to the body or and over hand right he landed too much and too easy prompting the referee to step in and call a stop to the bout while Valenzuela covered up but had the dignity to go out on his feet and not seriously hurt with another trip to the canvas.

RESULTS: Serhi ‘El Flaco’ Bohachuk remains unbeaten stopping Joan Valenzuela via TKO at (0:58) of Round 2. (referee stoppage)

Vergil Ortiz (7-0) ‎vs. Cesar Valenzuela (7-2)

(Super Lightweights – 6 Rounds)

No ‘feeling out process needed’  should have read as a warning somewhere near both of these men’s names on the fight program. They came out and traded hard shots at close range for the bulk of the opening round. Ortiz alertly ripping away at the body in-between hay makers as Valenzuela launched his over hand right and power punches in the pocket. The fighter also did not shy away from his constant overhand left and left hook but he got wider and wider as the Texan kept his elbows in tight and popped him with 2 or 3-punch combinations and that wicked left hook to the body.

Early in Round 2 both men met in the middle and continued throwing bombs. Arizona’s Valenzuela at this point slowing down just a bit and reaching with his shots, probably the damage of Ortiz’ body attack.  They temporarily clinched and then broke away, as this happened Valenzuela retreated with his guard very low and Ortiz used the opening to crack him in the solerplexes with a mean uppercut knee immediately. He quickly beat Robert Byrd’s count and marched forward however, on unsteady and flat feet.

Ortiz smelled the blood in the water and landed a clean left hook to the body followed by a right hook to the head that sent his man to the canvas putting him on a knee once again. This time the proud Phoenix warrior was not able to beat the count and stayed kneeling down.

RESULTS: Dallas, Texas’ Vergil Ortiz remains undefeated stopping Cesar Valenzuela via TKO at (1:22) of Round 2.

The TKO stoppage makes it 7 stoppages out of 7 fights for Ortiz.

Marlen Esparza (3-0).  vs. Aracely Palacios (8-8)

(Women’s Flyweight Bout – 6 Rounds)

Esparza and Palacios went to work over the course of 6 rounds putting combinations together in the middle of the ring as well as trading jabs and crosses ‎. Palacios did her best to apply pressure and walk her foe down however, Esparza was quicker to the punch when they traded leather. Palacios landed some good jabs and counters in close range however, she did not continue the attack and became very frugal with her punches.

While on the other hand, Houston’s Esparza and her jab were very effective and cancelled out the majority of Palacios’ offensive approach. Palacios landed few combinations in the mid rounds but they were too far and in-between. Esparza would return fire quickly, never letting her foe take over the rhythm, space or control of the fight. Her jab landed in single if not doubles and her body work became more and more apparent as she perfectly adjusted every time Palacios hunched over in a Golovkinesque stance; not landing in close though. The hand speed and movement plus punches landed of the Houston representative enabled her to cruise to a clear points win.

RESULTS: ‎ Houston, Texas’ Marlen Esparza remains undefeated via unanimous decision over Aracely Palacios. Scores of 60-54 all across the board.