Star Boxing: Theophane Wins Controversial Decision Over Rodriguez

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Warriors Boxing presented an action-packed seven bout card last night before a jam packed house at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK.

The show, broadcast live on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” was headlined by IBF #3 rated welterweight contender, Delvin Rodriguez taking on England’s Ashley Theophane, in a ten round welterweight contest.

Both fighters came out and immediately began firing shots, setting the pace right from the get go. The taller Rodriguez was the more accurate of the two, with Theophane looking to land looping shots over Rodriguez’s stiff jab.

Each round saw good two-way action from both fighters, but as the fight progressed, Rodriguez continuously scored the more telling shots, mixing in some vicious body shots behind his lethal straight right hand.

There was great action in the 7th, with both fighters going toe-to-toe to close the round.

Early in the 9th a huge overhand right by Rodriguez hurt Theophane badly. Rodriguez went right at Theophane, looking to close to the show, but Theophane was able to stay out of trouble by tying Rodriguez up and jumping on his bicycle for the remainder of the round.

The 10th and final round saw non-stop action from both warriors. Rodriguez’s punches were harder and more accurate, but Theophane was able to land some wide hooks and looping shots of his own.

The crowd stayed on their feet applauding both fighters, while the judges tallied the scorecards. The first score announced was dead even at 95-95, much to the crowd’s dislike, as seemingly everyone in attendance had Rodriguez as the clear-cut winner.

When the other two scorecards were announced as 96-94 both for Theophane, the crowd went into an uproar of boos. To his credit, Theophane hung tough, and made an exciting fight out of it, but Rodriguez was just much more accurate and landed the much harder punches throughout the entire fight.

It was yet another disappointing controversial decision loss for Rodriguez who drops to 25-5-2, 14KO’s. With the win Theophane improves to 27-4-1, 7KO’s.

In the televised opener Francisco Sierra improved to 22-3, 20KO’s winning a 7th round technical decision over previously unbeaten Donovan George (20-1-1, 17KO’s).

The fight on paper promised to be an all-out war, and both Sierra and George didn’t waste anytime in fulfilling that promise.

Both fighters came out in the first and immediately began exchanging bombs. Near the end of the first, Sierra wobbled George with a big hook, but George was able to survive the round.

The 2nd saw more of the same as both Sierra and George looked to end the fight with every punch they threw. Another big hook rocked George midway through the round.

George began boxing and using his jab and had success in the third and the fourth as it looked as though Sierra might be tiring a bit. By this time though George’s face was a bloody mess from his broken nose and it seemed to be bothering George a bit as he continuously wiped the blood away.

Any momentum George gained was lost in the 5th as Sierra began landing huge shots with both hands.

In the 7th Sierra landed a vicious combo that hurt George, and then a big right hand sent George down. With blood pouring down his face George showed his heart and beat the count, but he looked to be in bad shape.

Just as the bell sounded to end the 7th a huge right hand sent George down hard. George made it to his stool but was hurt badly. The punch clearly came after the bell had sounded and Sierra was deducted two points for the illegal blow.

Between rounds it was determined George was unable to continue, and the fight went to the judges scorecards, where Sierra was awarded the unanimous decision victory. It was a very good win for the Mexican born Sierra, and hats off for the warrior effort by George.

Undercard:

Andy Lee KO5 James Cook
Jonathan Gonzalez TKO6 Abel Perry
Rances Barthelemy TKO1 Cody Harless
Yordenis Ugas TKO1 DeJuan Jackson