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The Takeover has conquered a second division.
Former unified and lineal light-weight king Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) captured the WBO and Ring Journal junior welterweight world titles with a 12-round unanimous determination win in opposition to former undisputed champion Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) Saturday night at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Within the opening two rounds, Taylor linked with straight left fingers and counterpunches to the physique. However by rounds three and 4, the 32-year-Scotsman started feeling the sting of Lopez’s energy.
Because of this, his offense grew to become extra tentative and the tempo of the struggle decelerated, permitting Lopez to land his signature energy photographs. By rounds 5 and 6, Lopez took a commanding lead as a confused Taylor struggled to search out his punching vary.
Lopez punctuated his victory within the closing rounds with explosive bursts of offense, shades of the classic ‘Teo’ who had dominated his adversaries as a light-weight.
With scores of 115-113 2x and 117-111, the 25-year outdated Brooklyn native is now a lineal world champion in two divisions.
“Josh Taylor is a tricky dude,” mentioned Lopez. “I can see why he beat so many fighters. However you’ve received to counter the counterpuncher. You’ve received to outsmart the person and get in there. And I did that. I believe I did sufficient.That is what it’s all about.”
“I questioned myself for an excellent cause. You guys don’t perceive. I’ve all the time been my worst critic. And also you guys received slightly glimpse of it. However I’ve simply received to ask you one factor, and one factor solely. Do I nonetheless received it?”
“I’m so grateful. This was a bout fixing what we would have liked to. That’s why I don’t go away my coach. I belief in him rather a lot.
“No excuses,” mentioned Taylor. “It wasn’t my greatest. The higher man received tonight. I’ve received no excuses. I fought to one of the best of my skill. He was higher than me tonight. It’s what it’s. Congratulations to Teofimo.
“I assumed it was an in depth struggle. I’d like to do it once more. I positively know I’m higher than that, and I do know I can beat him nonetheless. I’d like to do it once more. However he’s the champ, so the ball is in his courtroom.”
Zayas Coasts Previous Cruz
Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) kicked off the Puerto Rican Day Parade festivities with out a hitch. The 20-year-old scored a dominant eight-round unanimous determination in opposition to California-born veteran Ronald “Diablo” Cruz (18-3-1, 12 KOs) to defend his NABF and NABO belts
Within the opening stanza, Zayas landed a counter proper hand that floored Cruz. Zayas maintained his composure and started boxing off his jab, stopping solely to land two and three-punch combos.
Cruz, who has by no means been stopped, resorted to a excessive guard to keep away from punishment, and he managed to attach with an occasional proper hand. Nonetheless, Zayas’ versatility made it nearly unimaginable for Cruz to land as he was outgunned each on the within and the surface.
With three scores of 80-71, Zayas takes house the second annual Miguel Cotto Award.
“This can be a dream come true,” mentioned Zayas. “I’m very completely satisfied to have fought throughout Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. He was a tricky man. I used to be hitting him with all the pieces. He didn’t need to go down. He was right here to struggle. He was motivated. He was robust. However we handed with flying colours. Unanimous determination. And we made the changes we would have liked to do.
“He introduced out the canine in me. I needed to dig deep. I needed to keep centered. I needed to take heed to my nook. And most significantly I needed to have enjoyable, which was an important half. I had the group right here cheering for me, so I used to be attempting to remain as centered as doable.”
Junior Light-weight: Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao (17-2, 8 KOs) was simply starting to heat up in his scheduled 10-rounder in opposition to Nicolas Polanco (20-4-1, 11 KOs), however an unintended headbutt within the second spherical pressured the referee to cease the struggle. The bout was dominated a no contest.
Junior Welterweight: Omar Rosario (11-0, 3 KOs), the preventing delight of Caguas, Puerto Rico, tallied a workmanlike eight-round unanimous determination victory in opposition to countryman Jan Carlos Rivera (8-2, 6 KOs). Rosario’s aggression and brief counterpunches had been simply sufficient to beat Rivera’s free-swinging model. Scores: 77-75 3x.
Heavyweight: Undefeated Polish prospect Damian Knyba (12-0, 7 KOs) defeated Mexico’s Helaman Olguin (9-6-1, 4 KOs) by way of eight-round unanimous determination. Knyba, a 6-foot-7 behemoth with an 86-inch attain, received off to a powerful begin, touchdown proper fingers that despatched Olguin reeling to the ropes. Scores: 79-73 3x.
Featherweight: Brooklyn-born phenom Bruce Carrington (8-0, 5 KOs) defeated Luis Porozo (16-7, 9 KOs) by way of eighth-round TKO. Carrington fought at an in depth distance, mixing in jabs with energy photographs round Porozo’s guard. Time of stoppage: 2:17.
Junior Light-weight: In a battle of southpaws, Puerto Rican standout Henry Lebron (18-0, 10 KOs) scored a 10-round unanimous determination win over Spanish veteran Carlos Ramos (17-3, 10 KOs). After just a few feel-out rounds, Lebron’s expertise started to beat Ramos, as he dropped him within the eighth and tenth with proper hooks. Scores: 97-91 and 98-90 2x.
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