Antonio Pitalua vs. Cosme Rivera III RBR

Amazingly, Telemundo still has Rivera way out in front - 89-82. :blood

They haven't given Pitalua any of these recent rounds where he's reduced Rivera to a slightly swaying heavy bag. :huh

 

Round 10

Pitalua comes forward, his feet a bit unsteady as he tries to take too many steps at a time and then adjust with lateral crosses of his legs to keep up with Rivera's angling and corner-shaving. Rivera isn't throwing anything. Pitalua lands a BIG right. Rivera just puts his hands out, holding Pitalua back by the shoulders and bracing himself to run back. A few long slappy shots down low by Rivera as he leans forward and scoots back. They come together and peck away at mid-range, Rivera going high and Pitalua low. Right at the bell, BIG exchange - simultaneously landing straight right hands and both staggering back!!

10-9 Pit

 

Round 11

Overhand rights by Pitalua, getting his nose and the swollen pus bag that used to be his left eye brushed by long fluttering jabs from the retreating Rivera. High jabs by Pitalua, useless from so far out. Rivera is back to his movement, leaving Pitalua high and dry and swallowed up by the sea of blue and white paint advertising Ford Motors. Pitalua tosses a high 1-2 repeatedly while coming forward but Rivera is able to easily duck them with slow bends of his waist. Badly telegraphed stuff by Pitalua. High hook, overreaching. Rivera is able to slip it by leaning back against the ropes. Good body shots by Rivera. Pitalua misses jabs. Overhand right by Pitalua, and Rivera answers with a straight right and a combo.

10-9 Rivera

 

Round 12

Pitalua comes forward and eats hooks and uppercuts until he catches up, at which points Rivera clinches. Pitalua throws a 1-2 and falls very short. Slapping rabbit punch with the right by Rivera, while plastering himself against Pitalua in another lean-down clinch. NICE counter right by Rivera as he steps around to his right. Left upper-hook by Rivera changing directions now to the left. Pitalua can't get near him without eating something (and even then, can't find the trigger in time to punch with his old foe). Pitalua has run out of ideas, and just walks into one long slapping hook or uppercut after another. Rivera looks to be cruising to vengeance, about to pick up his first win against Pitalua in their trilogy.

10-9 Rivera

 

Telemundo gave Pitalua the 1st and that is IT.

119-109 Rivera is their final tally.

Even without having seen the first two rounds, it seemed closer than that to me. (in the 115-113, 116-112 range)

Still a clear Rivera win.

 

Unanimous Decision...

119-109
118-110
119-109

Cosme El Chino Rivera