Ringside Boxing Report: Undercard Of Cotto – Malignaggi

There was no shortage of impressive action this past Saturday on the undercard of Miguel Cotto’s WBO Light Welter title defense against Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden. With boxing icon Angelo Dundee in his corner, Notre Dame football star Tommy Zbikowski, 1-0 (1), made an impressive pro debut, going up against Robert Bell, 2-3 (2) at heavyweight. Zbikowski needed only 49 seconds to end the fight, swarming Bell with punches and scoring two quick knockdowns. The fight was waved off after the second knockdown, a very impressive debut for the 21 year old college football star with a solid amateur background.

At the post fight press conference, promoter Bob Arum expressed a desire to have Zibkowski fight on an upcoming July card, but the Arlington Heights native will focus on finishing his final two years at Notre Dame and then consider the NFL draft. Depending upon what happens with the draft, he will then consider continuing his pro boxing career.

At middleweight, Irishman John Duddy improved to 17-0 (15), by defeating the game Freddie Cuevas, 25-9-1 (17). Duddy stalked Cuevas, who used good movement and boxing skills to confuse the flat footed prospect. Duddy was unable to close the gap until the fifth round and by the seventh, both fighters had good exchanges with Duddy landing the more effective punches. Cuevas did not answer the bell for round eight as the fight was stopped by the referee at the request of Cuevas corner, who felt he was absorbing too much punishment.

Welterweight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., cheered on by his famous dad in attendance, dispatched Aaron Drake, 10-2 (8), in two rounds. Drake was game, but by the second Chavez’s power was the difference, resulting in a stoppage at 1:53 of the round. Chavez improved to 26-0-1 (20)

Bobby Pacquaio, 27-11-3 (11), defeated faded former world champion Kevin Kelley, 58-7-2 (39) in a twelve round WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight bout. Kelly boxed well and showed flashes of his former self in the first round by using good movement and outboxing Pacquaio.

Pacquaio was patient, picked his shots wisely and was able to close the gap by round three with a knockdown. In round four, Pacquiao was able to catch Kelly with a vicious left hook to the body which knocked the wind out of the “Flushing Flash” and he was unable to beat the referee’s count. The stoppage was 1:24 of the second round.

In a six round featherweight bout, Juan Manuel Lopez improved his record to 12-0 (10), handing Sergio Mendez is first defeat. Lopez used his boxing ability and quickness to outwork the slower Mendez, 5-1 (1), to win a unanimous decision. The official scores were 60-54.

In a four round super featherweight bout, Washington Hago, 3-2 (2), upset previously undefeated novice Bobby Campbell, 1-1 (1). Campbell was unable to overcome Hago’s brawling style and was simply outworked. Official scores were 38-37 Hugo (twice), and 38-37 Campbell.

In a six round light heavyweight bout, Curtis Stevens, 13-0 (11), needed more than five rounds to stop the bigger and game Eric Howard. Howard, 11-12-1 (6), withstood the early barrage of punches from Stevens and gamely fought back in the middle rounds of the bout. By the sixth, Stevens’ heavy punches had taken their toll on Howard who was stopped with 45 seconds left in the round.

Middleweight Peter Quillin improved his record to 5-0 (4) by stopping Eddie O’Neil, 9-12-2 (1) in just ninety three seconds of the first during their scheduled four round contest.

In an exciting six round female bantamweight bout, Nori Kariya, 4-1-1 (1), defeated the tough Kerri Hill, 0-4 (0). Kariya used good boxing skills and body punches to stop her taller opponent in round three.

Luis Sanchez overcame a first round knockdown in a four round middleweight bout to stop Ray Gonzalez, 1-1 (1) later in the first. Sanchez improved his record to 2-1-1 (1)

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