Click for larger image © Mark DeSisto / Saddo Boxing
This past Saturday at the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Antonio Margarito continued to back up his claim that he is ready for anyone (read: Floyd Mayweather) in boxing’s welterweight division. Many knowledgeable boxing observers figured a well prepared Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez to at least give the ever improving Margarito a few trying moments in the squared circle but that never materialized and this bout was over in a mere seventy four seconds. The hard punching Gomez came out aggressive as he had promised, with a few jabs and some wild whipping left hooks, but certainly fell short in the defense department and left himself wide open to the hard punching WBO Welterweight titlist Margarito. Gomez was able to shake off a few seemingly flush Margarito shots and throw back, but a booming right cross sent the challenger into the ropes, helpless against the champion’s finishing bombs which left “Shotgun” spitting out his mouthpiece and sprawled out on the canvas. Referee Richard Steele waved off the contest at the count of six.
Rumor has it that promoter Bob Arum has a date in July reserved for Margarito to take on the winner of the April 8th Mayweather-Zab Judah clash. Assuming Floyd gets by Judah, Mayweather-Margarito is an intriguing match up to say the least, as Margarito will be the most physically imposing figure Floyd has been in the ring with in an official fight. Kudos to Bob Arum if he’s able to put it together but I’m not holding my breath just yet. Fortunately for those in attendance Saturday, and the die-hard boxing fans that dished out the money for this PPV event on television, Arum put together a decent undercard to help fans get their money’s worth.
WBC Light Flyweight Champion Brian Villoria was put thru a tough test in the first defense of his 108 lb title by former WBC Minumumweight Title holder Jose Antonio Aguirre. Based on some common opponent logic, many boxing observers were expecting an easy and perhaps short night of work for the “Hawaiian Punch”, who was made to work hard for his twelve round unanimous decision in the show’s best fight. Back in September, Honolulu native Villoria captured the WBC belt in stunning fashion with a first round knockout over then champion Eric Ortiz, who had stopped Aguirre in the seventh round just six months prior for the vacant WBC title. Aguirre was back for another shot at the title, and it was obvious he came prepared and ready to win.
Villoria started fast and furious in the first round, perhaps a bit too fired up from his loud fan base at the Aladdin, and seemed to be loading up too much, looking for the one big punch to give him the same result as his title winning performance. Aguirre was able to weather the initial storm well, likely drawing on his world class experience and four year WBC title reign at 105 pounds. Aguirre showed more poise in the second round and started firing back more and backing Villoria up against the ropes to perhaps take the second round.
Round three was easily Aguirre’s best round of the fight, in which early and late in the session he had Villoria covering up for too long on the ropes while he fired away and tried to end things early. At this point, the crowd at the Aladdin knew they had a real fight on their hands and Villoria was probably listening closely to the advice and strategy of his world-class trainer Freddy Roach. The well rounded Villoria slowed his pace and resorted to his boxing skills, employing the jab more, going to the body, and counterpunching the often forward moving Aguirre. Villoria was timing Aguirre better with his punches as the fight went on and it appeared that the thirty year old Aguirre had slowed down by the ninth round under Villoria’s strong accurate punching.
In the tenth round Villoria appeared to have regained full control of the fight as Aguirre was on the receiving end of body and head shots, and had a good flow of blood coming from his nose. Perhaps Villoria sensed the end was coming and raised his arms a few times to get the crowd cheering at the start of the eleventh. Aguirre showed his Mexican warrior pedigree, and even went on the offense after thwarting Villoria’s advances in the final two rounds, remaining dangerous to the final bell.
Two judges scored the bout 116-112, with the third ringside official coming up with 117-111, giving the Villoria camp and growing fan base satisfaction, as Brian had just passed his first big test in the maiden defense of his title against a tough opponent that came to win.
Click for larger image © Mark DeSisto / Saddo Boxing
Margarito – Gomez
Villoria – Aguirre
Chavez Jr – Molina
Calderon – Bustos
Post Fight Conference
Contact Mark DeSisto: bostonsmarkd@yahoo.com
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