Scott LeDoux vs. Pedro Soto ~ 'Main Event at Madison Square Garden'

[Bill Paxtom]

Coming out for Round 9, it was obvious to all, that Scott LeDoux needed to
pull some Magic out of his 'Minnesota Hat'.

All the Scorecards had him behind.

Round 9 >

Scott came out 'plodding', but went right after Pedro who looked tired. Scott
immediately started slamming in punches to the mid-section of Pedro who
backed off.

Then Pedro made a move forward, but Scott countered. At the {1:00 Mark},
Scott landed a crisp 'left-right' to Pedro's head.

Suddenly Pedro was 'staggered', and he floundered backwards to the Ropes.

Scott knowing that 'this was his chance', moved in a fired away with clubbing
punches as Pedro teetered on shaky legs.

But Pedro was able to stay upright, and kept his hands up high to prevent
another hard punch from getting through. Pedro made it out of Round 9,
but his face was a 'crimson mess' from a bloody nose.
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Between Rounds >

Gil Clancy worked on his stunned fighter, and was able to revive Pedro
before the start of the Final Round.

Gil Clancy >
"Pedro, just jab and grab him. You're winning the fight. You don't have to
win the last Round. We're ahead by 2-Points. Just stay away from him and
don't trade punches. He'll be desperate when he comes out. Just stay away
from him."

In Scott's corner, Joe Daskiewicz told his fighter >
"Finish him Scott. You have to knock him out to win. He's tired and ready
to go. Get in there and put him away."
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[Bill Paxtom]

'Round 10'

Scott came out with the intent of putting Pedro Soto down.

But Pedro used his legs, and despite being tired, he was able to 'stab-and-jab'
Scott as he plodded forward looking to drop in a big punch.

Scott did wing, but his wide hooks either missed Pedro, or glanced off his
shoulders.

Scott did manage to get though with a few solid punches, but Pedro took
them and held on.

The Scoring was announced as a 'Split-Decision'.

Referee - Johnny LoBianco ...... 6-4-0 {Scott LeDoux}
Judge - Artie Aidala ................. 7-3-0 {Pedro Soto}
Judge - Sam Iram ................... 5-4-1 {Scott LeDoux}

Madison Square Garden 'erupted' with boo's protesting the Decision.

The Associated Press scored it {6-4-0} for Pedro Soto, stating that Pedro
did all the scoring thru the first 6-Rounds, and Scott did little except
walk forward and catch punches in the face.

The smaller man tired at the end of Round 7, and Scott came on with
his usual late mauling-and-brawling rally, and swept the last 4-Rounds.