Round by Round: Jorge Barrios vs. Mike Anchondo.
| Round one: Anchondo starts by moving around the ring as Barrios is sizing him up. Barrios lands a jab to the face followed by a right hand to the body. Anchondo is in complete “boxing mode,†looking for chances to counter, as Barrios aggressively stalks him. “La Hiena†lands a straight right hand down the pipe, |  |
followed by a left hook to the body. He clubs Anchondo to the back of the head and gets a warning from the referee. Barrios lands a solid left hook to the body, followed by the clubbing right hand. As the round ends, the referee gives another warning to Barrios for hitting behind the head.
10-9 Barrios.
Round two: Anchondo comes out using his jab and continues to move around the ring. He eats another right hand and comes back with his own right hand counter. Mike doubles up with left hooks to the body. Barrios continues to stalk him, landing wide hooks to Anchondo’s body and straight right hands to his chin. “La Hiena†starts moving in behind a jab and continues to have success with overhand rights. “Mighty Mike†looks confused, as he backs up and circles the ring. Both fighters exchange hooks with Barrios getting the better of Anchondo.
10-9 Barrios.
Round three: Mike comes out and continues to look for chances to counter, as Barrios continues to stalk him. “La Hiena†lands a pair of overhand rights to the face and left hooks to the body. Anchondo eats a big left hook, followed by a right hand to the body and he backs away. “Mighty†Mike lands a solid right hand, but Barrios counters with a sharp right hook. A huge right hand behind the ear floors “Mighty†Mike. He is up at the count of seven and the round ends shortly after.
10-8 Barrios.
Round four: Barrios comes out shooting jabs and straight right hands to the face of Anchondo that land flush. He hooks to the body and lands another right to the ear that hurts “Mighty†Mike. A looping left hook, followed by a short right hand land for Barrios and down goes Anchondo. He is up at the count of eight. Barrios aggressively stalks him and lands a five-punch combination that sends “Mighty Mike†down to the canvas for the second time in the round. The referee steps in and deducts two points from “La Hiena†for hitting Anchondo on the back of the head. Anchondo’s trainer, Buddy McGirt, steps onto the ring apron and stops the fight.
The WBO has a new super featherweight champion as Jorge “La Hiena†Barrios backs up his talk with a four round KO victory over the previously undefeated “Mighty” Mike Anchondo.
It is a sad day for such a young fighter like Mike Anchondo. With three different trainers in the last eight months, and countless other distractions, this was a foregone conclusion. Talent and skills can take you far, but one still needs discipline and stability to compete at the highest level of this sport. As for “La Hiena,†the world has a new start to look forward too. Congratulations Jorge Barrios. Stay tuned as I will be doing a SaddoBoxing exclusive interview with “La Hiena†from his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com