At The Bubble, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, Saturday night WBO World Super Featherweight champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring won by DQ against No. 11 ranked Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo, promoted by Top Rank – Bob Arum over ESPN+.

In the Main Event WBO World Super Feather champ southpaw James “Semper Fi” Herring, 22-2 (10), #129 1/2, of Cincinnati, OH, won by DQ in the 9th round over Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo, 31-7 (19), #129 1/2, of Vega Alta, PR, of a scheduled 12 rounds.

In the third round Oquendo walked into a Herring left uppercut on the chin and down he went for an 8-count from referee Tony Weeks. In the fourth the mouthpiece of Herrings came out and Weeks put it back in without taking it to the corner to be rinsed off. It was a veteran ref mistake, big time. In the fifth round Qquendo’s head came into the right eye of Herring causing a cut and Oquendo losing a point due to intentional head butt.

At the end of six rounds Oquendo was fighting a dirty fight and Herring getting frustrated with all the holding and coming in with his head. In the ninth round a low blow from Oquendo caused a weak warning from referee Weeks. At the end of the round Herring said he couldn’t see out of his right eye so they went to the scorecards due to intentional head butt. The physicians ruled fight must be stopped. The decision was a disqualification win for Herring.

Score were 78-71 by this writer.

“It got ugly with him coming in with his head. With the cancellations it was a 20 week training camp. I look forward per promoter Bob Arum to fight a unification bout with Carl Frampton,” said Herring.

In the co-feature NABO Super Welterweight champion Steve Nelson, 17-0 (14), #167 1/2, of Omaha, NEB, stopped DeAndre “Axeman” Ware, 13-3-2 (8), #168, of Toledo, OH, at 2:24 of the sixth of a scheduled 10 rounds.

In the first round a right from Nelson on the chin of Ware buckled his legs almost touching the canvas with his right knee. In the second round a clash of heads caused a cut outside the left eyebrow of Nelson. In the third round Ware worked on the cut that was bothering Nelson. In the fifth round a second cut from a clash of heads resulted on the left eyebrow of Nelsons. In the sixth round Nelson came out looking for a knockout and had Ware hurt with his knees going weak. Nelson jumped on him landing a flurry of punches to the head causing referee Jay Nady to stop the fight. Ware didn’t seem pleased with the stoppage.

“I didn’t feel well coming into the fight. When the cut happened I know a fighter goes for the cut. I had him hurt and wanted to finish him. I want a world title fight,” said Nelson.

Light Flyweight prospect southpaw Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, 12-0 (8), #109 ¼, of San Antonio, TX, stopped Janiel “Pototo” Rivera, 18-7-3 (11), #109 ¼, of Catano, PR, at 2:03 of the first round in a scheduled 8 rounds.

In the first round a left cross from Rodriguez on the chin of Rivera drove him into the lower strand of the ropes for the knockdown. He went right after him with a three punch combination and it was all over as referee Robert Mora waved it off.

Afterwards Rivera led Rodriguez to a neutral corner praying with him. “I never felt better coming into this fight. Seeing my brother (Joshua Franco) win a world title made me try harder to become a better fighter. My trainer Robert Garcia knows I train harder all the time in the gym. I knew I had him hurt with body shots and wanted to impress,” said Rodriguez.

Super Feather Ruben “El Tigrillo” Cervera, 13-2 (11), 130 ¼, knocked out Rennar “Flash” Oliver, 7-3-3 (0), #130 ¼, of New Orleans, LA, at 1:42 of the second round, of a scheduled 6 rounds.

In the first round a clash of heads caused a cut on the left eye brow of Cervera. By the end of the round he was coming on well but bleeding down over his eye. Ref scored a knockdown from a body shot from Cervera when Oliver dropped to a knee. It was called a slip afterwards by video. In the second round a right from Cervera had Oliver out on his feet against the ropes with Cervera adding one more right as Oliver slumped to the canvas causing referee Mora to wave it off.

Edward “Kid” Vazquez, 8-0 (1), #127 ¼, of Ft. Worth, TX, came off the canvas to defeat Adan Ochoa, 11-2 (4), #130 1/2, of L.A., CA, over 6 rounds.

Scores Lederman 57-56, Cheatham and Jarman 58-55 Vazquez with this writer 58-55 Ochoa. Referee was Robert Hoyle.

In the first round Ochoa did the chasing for two minutes scoring well. In the final minute Vazquez showed good offensive moves scoring well. In the second round after 30 seconds a right from Ochoa on the chin and Vazquez’s feet went out before him face down. He fought his way back well in the second half of the round becoming the aggressor. In the third round Vazquez outworked Ochoa but had an abrasion over his right eye. In the fourth and fifth rounds it was close may have gone either way. In the sixth and final round

Welterweight Benjamin “Blaxican” Whitaker, 14-4 (3), #149 ¾, of San Antonio, TX, defeated D’Andre Smith, 8-1 (5), #147 ¼, of Decatur, GA, over 6 rounds.

In the first two rounds Whitaker pressed the action taking the rounds. In the third it was Smith but Whitaker came back to take the fifth and final round.

Scores were 59-55 and 60-54 twice. This writer had it 58-56.

Featherweight Rashiem Jefferson, 2-0 (0), #125, of Philadelphia, PA, defeated Jose “Hurricane” Martinez, 2-2 (1),#125 ¼, of L.A., CA, in a good 4 rounds.

In the first two rounds southpaw Jefferson dominated. Coming forward he countered everything Martinez threw. In the third round Martinez came out trying to rough up Jefferson and had a better round but not good enough to offset the skills of Jefferson. In the fourth and final round Martinez outworked Jefferson.

Scores were Byrd and Ocasio 40-36 with Sharman 39-37 as did this writer. Russell Mora was the referee.

Heavyweight prospect Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson, 6-0 (6), #247 ¼, of Toledo, OH, stopped Rodney Hernandez, 13-10-2 (4), #255 ¼, of Modesto, CA, at 2:22 of the fourth round 6 rounds.

In the second round Anderson turned southpaw to continue out landing Hernandez causing a bloody nose. In the fourth round a lead left cross on the chin from Anderson rocked Hernandez. He followed up with a pair of lefts and a right all on the chin dropping Hernandez ending the fight by referee Robert Hoyle.

“I was having fun out there with my hands down just trying to get rounds in,” said Anderson.