Ivan Calderon vs. Felipe Rivas & Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. vs. Robert Leyva RBR

First up: Jorge "Troya/The Destroyer" Melendez vs. Eric Mitchell - 10 rounds @ light middleweight.

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Round 1

Mitchell works some hard 1-2 combos over and over while Melenez backs up and keeps a high guard to catch everything, pumping out a few jabs. Hard lead rights from Mitchell. Now Melendez comes forward, and takes a soft hook to the hip. They jab together, and Mitchell lands more stiffly. Big overhand right by Mitchell at the bell.

10-9 Mitchell

 

Round 2

Mitchell comes forward and pushes Melendez to the ropes, and billy-goats a bit once there. The ref wags a finger and screams at him that he can't do that. Mitchell shrugs and gets back to work, dropping punches up high on Melendez and still using his cranium as liberally as his fists. Melendez is unsuccessful trying to counter or clinch as he gets pushed back to the ropes. Ripping hook to the body by Mitchell. The shorter man keeps bulling in, and thrusting his shoulder into Melendez's chest to send him staggering back a step and into range for more long slamming body shots. Melendez tries to get a jab going but every time he throws he gets his ribs peppered and is backed up to the ropes.

20-18 Mitchell

 

Round 3

Mitchell is running to his left, firing a heavy jab in mid-step and trying to set up angles. Melendez watches, not taking bait. Now Mitchell moves in to try and swarm Melendez with body shots again, but Melendez has found his cojones and is opening up with lead right hands down the pipe - and scoring! Melendez is landing much better this round. Nice 1-2 by Melendez. Now Melendez comes forward. Mitchell is forced outside, and tries to take a few circling steps before bush-whacking his way in with underhand body shots but getting countered as he leans in and muscles Melendez to the corner.

10-9 Melendez

29-28 Mitchell

 

Round 4

They stand pat for the first ten seconds, each daring the other to draw first blood. Melendez opens up with his jab, and then pulls himself back into a straight line with gloves covering his face. Mitchell is made to lunge with his own sidelong jab, and isn't landing. Mitchell is wary of just storming the gates with body punches now that Melendez has discovered some sharpness in the third. NICE reach-around counter left hook by Melendez as Mitchell took a cautious half-step toward him. Melendez haunts Mitchell with the jab and pops him several times cleanly in the face while walking him back to the ropes. The crowd can smell blood, and are getting antsy for Melendez to land something hurtful on Mitchell who now seems to be ripe for it. Good right hand by Melendez, but doesn't quite have a jarring effect. Mitchell is tucking short wrecking-ball uppers into Melendez's gut and lower back on his way into lean-in clinches, but is finding Melendez's head more elusive now with some rolling in the pocket and finds himself countered more and more.

10-9 Melendez

38-38

 

Round 5

Mitchell headbutts Melendez in the sternum, cue-balling him into the corner but not punching. Mitchell throws some light combos, leading with his right hand but is just hitting Melendez's waiting open mitts. Melendez comes forward with a hard towel-snap right to the body. Melendez has been on the front foot for two and a half rounds straight now, and is doing much to offset Mitchell's still-consistent body work. Melendez is crossing his arms together as Mitchell tries to use his chest as a pillow, and giving a little shiver to back Mitchell up into range of hard right uppers that whip out long and true to target (be it under the armpit or right by the chin).

10-9 Melendez

38-37 Melendez

 

The worm has officially turned. For several minutes it looked like an upset was brewing, but now it's resembling every bit the young talent showcase it would appear on paper.

 

Round 6

Mitchell is prancing around to his left, hugging the ropes and increasing his pace when Melendez gets near. Backhand jabs by Mitchell as he keeps to the perimeter and quickens to a gallop at every impending Melendez head-off. Melendez tries to hold Mitchell fast with his jab but is getting his arms snatched and held. Mitchell has no other recourse, and as soon as Melendez wriggles free he lands jabs and long rights that have Mitchell scrambling for cover. Melendez can't miss his jab. Mitchell tries to duck in and prop himself up against Melendez's waist, popping a few light darts to the body.

10-9 Melendez

58-56 Melendez

 

Round 7

Wild lunging hook by Mitchell, caught and picked off easily. Melendez jabs and gets grabbed. Mitchell uses some upward elbow to back Melendez up for fear of taking that sharp joint in his face, but it doesn't discourage him for long. Melendez keeps building up longer attacks behind his jab, landing well with hooks and straight rights in succession. Mitchell is looking fragile now, and very intent on leaning in to press against Melendez and take his range away. Mitchell bleeding about the face. Mitchell flops in to hold but Melendez doesn't let him, taking long steps back and keeping his arms tucked too close and tight to grab at. Long jab by Melendez. Slapping body hook by Mitchell. Bent-down uppercut to the ribs by Melendez thrown with good leverage even while backing up.

10-9 Melendez

68-65 Melendez