By: John Novoselac, ringside
www.doghouseBoxing.com
Francisco Bojado vs Steve Forbes, coming in to this fight, both guys needed the win to reaffirm their status as solid contenders. Bojado, a one time sure fire prospect, is coming off of a layoff from the lime light, while Forbes, is rebounding from a controversial loss to Demetrius Hopkins.
Rounds 1 and 2 saw good two way action, with Bojado punctuating the end of the 2nd with a late shot that seemed to enliven Forbes. The fight continued its tactical pace into the 3rd round, as the busier Bojado battled the superior technician in Forbes who appeared to be picking off most of Panchito’s shots.
Rounds 4 and 5 saw some nice inside action, and the battle of technique versus aggression continued, and both guys continued to work behind their jabs.
In round 6 Bojado picked up the pace and landed some hard shots and Forbes responded with a series of right uppercuts that rocked back the head of Panchito. Despite the hard shots neither fighter appeared to be hurt. Panchito found Forbes body later in the 6th, as the fight saw its best action so far.
Expectedly, the pace slowed a bit in the 7th as both expended quite a bit of energy in the previous round. Round 8 saw the fight go back inside, with both landing some decent shots. Fatigue was definitely setting in during the 9th, and Bojado appeared to be in worse condition.
In the final round, Forbes turned up the heat and Bojado, though exhausted, responded as well as he could. He was clearly tired, as he spent much of the round looking up to the clock to see how much time was left.
The fight looked to be close going to the cards. Official scores read 96 – 94 for Bojado, 96 – 94 and 97 – 93 for Forbes, giving Steve the split decision victory.
Punchstats saw Forbes land 194 of 686 total punches for a 28% landing percentage, while Bojado was credited with 187 of 501 total punches.
Librado Andrade – Yusaf Mack USBA Super Middleweight Title
Librado Andrade brings an exciting, though somewhat limited style that is always a pleasure to watch against Yusaf Mack, another prospect seeking to make a name for himself.
Round 1 saw Andrade go down unexpectedly from a solid left hook by Mack that caught Andrade moving back with his head high in the air. Both guys continued to throw wide shots throughout the round.
Round 2 was much of the same as the first as the fighters threw tactical boxing to the wind and engaged in trading wild shots that were being winged from every angle.
Round 3 sparked a fire in Andrade as he turned up the heat, though Mack landed some very hard shots. Andrade finished the round staggering the tiring Mack.
In round 4, Mack quickly dispelled my thought that he was tiring as he flung a series of looping rights that were in increasingly finding their targets. In round 5, Andrade again turned up the pace, and once again Mack appeared to tire.
The brawl continued into round 6, and the pace slowed, slightly. Mack is sent to the canvas by a barrage of punched 2 minutes into the 7th, and Andrade follows up forcing Mack to take a knee for a second knock down. A 3rd knock down prompted referee Jay Nady to halt the fight.
Time was 2:34 of the 7th.
Punch stats were 209 of 596 for Andrade, and 135 of 304 for Mack. Andrade landed 36 of 66 power shots in the 7th round alone.
Steven Luevano – Antonio Davis WBO Featherweight Title
In the main supporting fight, Steven Luevano looks to defend his recently acquired WBO title against challenger Antonio Davis.
Luevano started off behind his jab and looking to box and not brawl the naturally bigger Davis, as Davis attempted to impose his stature. Most of the first stanza was a feeling out process.
In round 2, Davis moved forward while Luevano looked to counter and use his jab. Davis as able to bully Luevano against the ropes, and look effective though most of his shots were blocked or missed.
Round 3 Luevano realized that he needed to keep the fight in the center of the ring to be successful, and boxed smartly. This tactic proved effective as Luevano landed some hard shots late in the round.
Round 4 was more tactical boxing, and Davis went down after being tripped, which was rightfully ruled a slip.
Rounds 5 and 6 saw Davis once again use his size advantage, though Luevano boxed his way out of trouble when he was able to make his way to the center of the ring. Luevano has spent too much time on the ropes, and
Round 7 and 8 have Luevano pushing the pace and seemingly getting the better of Davis, who is bleeding over his left eye and slowing considerably.
In round 9 the doctor checked Davis’ eye, which looked to spark the fighter as he pressed the action again later in the round, though Luevano’s accuracy is giving Davis serious problems.
Rounds 10 and 11 saw more of the same until Davis goes down hard at the end of the the 11th from a hard left hook counter from Luevano who was backed in to the corner.
In round 12 Luevano stuns Davis early with his jab, and hesitated to go for the kill. The action slowed as both guys stayed in the center and boxed at a very tactical pace. Luevano hurt Davis again with a little more than a minute to go, and looked to be the position to finish him off, though he eventually wasn’t able to do.
Official scores read 119-108 twice, and 118-109 all for Luevano.
Punch stats were 271 of 664 for Luevano, and 173 of 873 for Davis.