At T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, Saturday promoters Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn and Golden Boy Promotions – Oscar De La Hoya put on a 8 bout card including middleweight championship.
In the Main Event IBF, WBA and WBC Middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 52-1-2 (35), #150 1/2 of Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX, retained his titles by decision over the former WBA & IBF Middleweight champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, 35-3 (29), #160 of Brooklyn, NY, over 12 rounds.
In the first round Jacobs boxed well easily taking the round. In the second round both boxers used good body work. In the third round Jacobs turned southpaw just for several seconds. Alvarez kept pressing forward.
In the fourth round it was all Alvarez slipping punches and firing back well. In the fifth round Jacobs kept using the jab but not throwing power punches. In the sixth round Jacobs fought southpaw the entire round to no avail.
In the seventh round Jacobs did better but not good enough. In the eighth round Jacobs was willing to slug it out with Alvarez. You can’t beat Alvarez by decision in Nevada so he will have to knockout Alvarez. In the ninth round Jacobs actually rocked Alvarez during the round.
In the tenth round Alvarez rocked Jacobs who knows he needs a knockout to win. Fighting southpaw has been to his venth round the action was one of the best advantage. Alvarez seems to have slowed down. In the eleventh round the action was probably the best.
In the twelfth and final round both fighters threw power shots. Jacobs gave up too many of the early rounds but looked good in the final five rounds.
Scores were 116-112 twice and 115-113. This writer had it 114-114.
Super Middleweight southpaw John “The Gorilla” Ryder, 28-4 (17), #167 Islington, London, UK, stopped Bilal Akkawy, 20-1-1 (16), #167 South Wales, Australia, at 2:12 of the third round for the vacant WBA World Super Middleweight title.
In the first round it took until 1:15 to go in the round before a punch was landed and the fans let them know about it. In the third round Ryder dropped Akkaway twice. A right hook from Ryder on the chin of Akkaway was the final punch both times. Upon getting up the second time Akkaway was taking too much punishment when referee Jay Nady called a halt.
Former WBO Light Middleweight champion now at Welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali, 27-3 (14), of Brooklyn, NY, was stopped by Anthony “Juice” Young, 21-2 (8), of Atlantic City, NJ, at 2:38 of the third round for the US Silver title.
In the first round Young took it to Ali right from the start landing a left hook and right cross rocking Ali. Ali was on the defense the rest of the round. In the second round Ali got back into the fight especially with his left hook. In the third round Young landed a vicious body attack hurting Ali who was bent over taking punches until referee Robert Byrd called a halt.
In the co-feature Super Lightweight Vergil Ortiz, Jr., 13-0 (13), #147 of Dallas, TX, stopped Maurice “El Maestra” Herrera, 24-9 (7), #146 1/2 of Riverside, CA, at 0:29 of the third round.
In the first round Herrera jabbed his way to easily win the round. In the second round a flurry of punches dropped Herrera from Ortiz as the bell sounded. In the third round a right cross from Ortiz to the chin and down went Herrera as the referee Russell Mora waved it off immediately. It was the first time in his career Herrera was stopped.
Super Featherweight Lamont “Boogaloo” Roach, 19-0-1 (7), #129 1/2 of Upper Marlboro, MD and Washinton DC, defeated Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo, 30-6 (19), #130 of Vega Alta, PR, for the WBO International and NABO titles, over 10 rounds.
In the first round Oquendo’s left hook drew blood from the nose of Roach. In the fourth and fifth there was little boxing just punching by both fighters with Oquendo having more power. In the seventh round referee Russell Mora warned Oquendo about using his head twice. In the eighth round referee Mora took away a point from Oquendo for the third warning of using his head.
In the ninth round there continued to be too much clinching. In the tenth and final round Oquendo continued looking the stronger.
Scores were Moretti and Ocassio 97-92 and Weisfeld 96-93.
Featherweight Francisco “Alacran” Esparza, 9-1-1 (3), of Las Vegas, NV, lost to Armenian Aram Avagvan, 9-0-1 (4), of Moscow, RUS, over 10 rounds, for the WBC International Silver title.
Super Featherweight southpaw Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, 29-1 (15), #130, of Downey, CA, stopped southpaw Freddy Fonseco, 26-3-1 (17), 129 1/2, Managua, NIC, at 2:07 of the seventh round for the vacant WBA Gold title.
In the first and second rounds southpaw Diaz was throwning power shots. In the third and fourth rounds Diaz continued with the body work and landing many more punches than Fonseco. In the sixth round Diaz dropped Fonseco to his knees.
In the seventh round Fonseco was warned prior to the round by referee Tony Weeks and Fonseco’s trainer to either start throwing punches or they would stop it. The towel came into the ring by the Fonseco corner.
Super Middleweight Alexis Espino, 2-0 (1), of Las Vegas, NV, defeated Billy Wagner, 1-1 (0), of Great Falls, MONT, over 4 rounds.