At the Bubble, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV, Saturday night over ESPN+ Top Rank – Bob Arum, featured former Featherweight IBF Super Featherweight and WBO Lightweight champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza defeated Javier Molina. In the co-feature unbeaten Nigerian Heavyweight Efe Ajagba defeated Jonathan “Jonnie” Rice.
In the Main Event former 2008 Olympian, IBF Super Featherweight and WBO Lightweight champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza, 28-3 (13), #141.5, of Cidra, PR, defeated 2008 Olympian Javier “Intocable” Molina, 22-3 (9), #141.7, of Norwalk, CT, over 10 rounds.
In the first round Molina completely dominated countering Pedraza who couldn’t get untracked. In the second round it was close with Molina landing a solid right on the chin of Pedraza in the final seconds. In the third round after half a minute Pedraza came in with his head causing an accidental butt with swelling under the left eye of Molina. Referee Russell Mora warned Pedraza. 20 seconds later blood started slowing from Molina’s left eyebrow causing referee Mora to bring in the ring physician and telling judges it was from an accidental head butt. Near the halfway point of the round once again Pedraza came in with his head on the chin of Molina and received a third warning but no point deducted by referee Mora. With half a minute left in the round Pedraza landed a low punch and yet another head butt while referee Mora never acknowledged it.
In the fourth round Pedraza got into his rhythm landing a solid right on the chin of Molina with half a minute left in the round then switched to southpaw. In the fifth round Pedraza had Molina the aggressor and countered him almost at will from southpaw. In the final half minute again Pedraza caused an accidental head butt that referee Mora missed. With ten seconds left in the round Pedraza walked into a Molina right on the chin stopping him in his tracks causing a nose bleed.
In the sixth round halfway through it was Molina with a bloody nose. With a little over a minute left in the round Pedraza hurt Molina with a right hook on the chin. In the seventh round Pedraza continued controlling from southpaw. With a little over a minute left in the round again Pedraza was warned for an accidental head but by referee Mora. How many times will this need to happen without losing a point?
In the eighth and ninth rounds Pedraza had Molina coming forward walking into punches. Molina took an early lead but from the fourth on it’s been all Pedraza In the tenth and final round Pedraza had Molina hurt with a lead left on the chin with a minute left in the fight. Molina was able to get through the rest of the round.
Scores were Tim Cheatham 99-91, Patricia Morse Jarman and Julie Lederman 98-92. This writer had it 97-93.
Asked about his versatility he said he had before the fight, “this is what I was able to do tonight,” said Pedraza. Asked who he would like to fight he said “I believe I am ready for that title opportunity and fight either (Josh) Taylor or Ramirez. If I can’t get it I would like a rematch with Zepeda (lost to him a year ago) and had a bad night against him,” said Pedraza.
Heavyweight Efe “The One and Only” Ajagba, 14-0 (11), #242.3, of Nigeria, and Stafford, TX, defeated Jonathan “Jonnie” Rice, 13-6-1 (9), #265.4, of L.A., CA, over 10 rounds.
In the first half of the fight Ajagba kept coming forward using his jab for the most part. Rice was in defensive mode the entire time. In the next three rounds little changed. In the ninth round Rice finally opened up with right hands on the chin of Ajagba who seemed content to box his way to a decision.
In the tenth and final round Rice knowing he needed a knockout to win didn’t throw a right until a minute into the round. It wouldn’t be until the final ten seconds before Rice landed another right on the chin of Ajagba. Stats showed that Rice landed less than four punches a round. It was nothing more than a sparring session. Matter of fact the two of them sparred several weeks ago.
Scores were Max DeLuca 98-92, Adalaide Byrd and Dave Moretti 99-91. Referee was Vic Drakulich.
Featherweight 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist southpaw Robeisy Ramirez, 4-1 (3), #125.9, of Cuba and Gulfport, FL, Felix “La Sombra” Caraballo, 13-2 (9), #125.7, of Mayaguez, PR, won by UD over 8 rounds.
In the first round
Returning after 17 months Super Middleweight Christian “Manos de Machete” Montano, 10-0 (7), #167.3, of Houston, TX, defeated Ryan Adams, 7-3-1 (6), #165.5, of St. Louis, MO, over 6 rounds.
In the first round both mixed it up well. In the second round Montano showed his countering power. In the third round Adams came back well outworking Montano. In the fourth round near the end of a minute a right from Montano on the chin of Adams had him rocked. In the fifth and sixth rounds Adams again outworked Montano who seemed to be tiring into the fifth.
Scores were 60-54 twice, 58-56 and this writer 57-57. Referee was Vic Drakulich.
Returning after 28 months Lightweight Bryan Lua, 6-0 (3), #134.5 of Madera, CA, impressively stopped Luis Norambuena, 4-7-1 (0), #134, of Talca, Chile, at 2:27 of the second round of a scheduled 4.
In the second round a right to the body from Lua followed by a devastating left uppercut to the jaw and down went Norambuena causing referee Robert Hoyle to immediately wave it off.
Super Welterweight Leo Ruiz, 8-0 (5), #151.4, of MEX and San Bernardino, CA, defeated Rodrigo “Loving Boy” Solis, 4-5-1 (2), #151.4, of Cancun, MEX, over 6 rounds.
Scores were 58-54 and 59-53 twice.
Welterweight 17 year-old Jahi Tucker, 1-0 (1), #143.6, of Deer Park, NY, stopped Deandre “The Protégé” Anderson 1-2 (0), #147.1, of Birmingham, AL, at 2:56 of the first round in a scheduled 4.
In a slugfest Tucker impressed after the first minute scoring at will before referee Robert Hoyle called a halt.
In the opening bout Welterweight 17 year-old southpaw Kasir “King Mazzi” Goldston, 1-0 (0), #142.8, of Albany, NY, defeated Isaiah “The Lion” Varnell, 3-3 (2), #142.8, of Kenosha, WI, over 4 rounds.
Scores were 39-37 twice and 40-36 & writer. Referee Vic Drakulich.
Mark Shunock ring announcer.