Vences, De Leon Battle to a Draw
Carson, CA (March 10, 2018)- Andy Vences (20-0-1 12KO’s) and Erick De Leon (17-0-1 10KO’s) fought for the same “next promotional contender” spot on the Top Rank roster. Odds were that it’d be a good fight, and we’d have a decisive look at a future main event fighter. Wrong on both.
On Scores of 95-95, 95-95, 96-94 (De Leon) Vences vs. De Leon ended in a draw. Vences boxed well over the entire fight. Using a jab and counter he was able to evade and land almost at will. De Leon got his motor running in the fourth round, getting closer to Vences. Landing body shots and dictating the pace De Leon started to make a case that he was in control of the action in the back half of the fight.
Content on boxing and not fighting in front of the blood-lusting StubHub proved the difference for Vences. De Leon emptied his tank to win, while Vences barely appeared fatigued doing just enough to barely lose late rounds.
Barboza Beats Reed
Unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. (18-0 6KO’s) picked up the best win of his short career over Mike “Yes Indeed” Reed (23-2 12KO’s). Barboza fired shots in combination off the jab, landing on a plodding Reed. Using no head movement Reed couldn’t get out of his own way in his first fight back since being knocked out by Jose Ramirez. On scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94 Barboza takes a step forward and Reed takes two steps back in a once promising career.
Arnold Barboza lands a left hand over Reed’s right. PHOTO: Mikey Williams/TopRank
Saucedo KO’s Lopez
Saucedo landed a murderous left hook to the body of Lopez dropping him to end matters at 1:18 of the seventh round. Lopez pressed forward throughout the fight only to be out-gunned by a higher classed Saucedo. Landing in combination and firing first Saucedo looked impressive over a plodding Lopez who gave contender Antonio Orozco all he could handle a year ago.
Saucedo defends his WBO Latino and NABA USA titles to move up the 140 pound rankings to fight for the vacant WBO strap in his next outing.
Andy Ruiz Wins KO1
In his first fight back since dropping a razor thin decision to Joseph Parker last year. Andy Ruiz (30-1 20) wasted no time blasting opponent Devin Vargas (20-5 8KO’s) with a right hand to end the fight at 1:38 of the first round.
Falcao Stops Larbi in the First
Brazilian Olympian Esquiva Falcao (20-0 13KO’s) earned a quick knockout courtesy of a right hand at 2:06 to stop opponent Salim Larbi (18-9-1 5KO’s).
Mikaela Mayer Only Needs 35 Seconds
It took US Olympian Mikaela Mayer (4-0 3KO’s) only 35 seconds to stop Maria Semertzoglou (7-3 3KO’s) of Greece. A right hand hurt Semertzoglou as she turned away from Mayer prompting the referee to call a halt to the fight at :35 of the first round.
Bryan Lua Wins KO1
Madera prospect Bryan Lua (4-0 1KO) picked up the first knockout of his career over Jesus Arevalo (2-3). Trained by Robert Garcia, Lua’s knockout started a string of early endings in the rain at the StubHub.
