Cristobal Arreola vs. Seth Mitchell & Rafael Marquez vs. Efrain Esquivias RBR

Round 7

Esquivias is hooking and jabbing the body and letting Marquez's counters wash up on his left bicep as he lifts it and leans back, burying his chin. Outside combos by Esquivias, picking Marquez apart from past his countering range. They jab together and Esquivias gets his skull jolted a little as Marquez puts some emphasis on his but Esquivias keeps pushing ahead, with Marquez's back ending up on the ropes. Body shots by Esquivias. 1-2 by Marquez, backing him off briefly. Esquivias returns, dropping leather all over Marquez's sides and lower back as he twists on the ropes and looks for room to jab. Big left hook downstairs by Marquez. The crowd roars. BIG right hand by Marquez. Esquivias is driven onto the ropes and shells up, crossing his arms to block the furious assault from Marquez over the last fifteen seconds! Marquez parades around the ring at the bell, pumping his fist at the crowd as if he just scored a TKO despite having landed very little and not even stealing the round. (but showing life, a bit of the old magic...)

10-9 Esquivias

68-65 Esquivias

 

He absolutely didn't.

Nice left hook to the body, nice right hand on the chin as Esquivias backed up, but everything after that got blocked. Those 2 punches don't erase the body work of Esquivias over two-plus minutes before that.

 

Round 8

Esquivias is stepping in with the right hand, stunning Marquez. Jabs and uppercuts by Marquez, tired but leaning into the pocket, feet planted. Esquivias tees off with right hands, making the short-cropped hair stand up from Marquez's scalp. HUGE uppercuts and clubbing shots by Esquivias as Marquez jabs in and encircles his left arm over Esquivias' waist. Esquivias jumps out and then boomerangs in with a flush right. Marquez is a moment too slow on trigger with his counters but still trying hard.

10-9 Esquivias

78-74 Esquivias

 

It's fitting, if this is the end of the road, that Marquez bow out with a top 15-20 FOTY. (which I believe this already is)

 

Round 9

MASSIVE RIGHT HAND BY ESQUIVIAS. MARQUEZ IS SENT FLYING, BUTT CRASHING HARD ON THE CANVAS. HE TRIES IN VAIN TO PLEAD HIS CASE FOR BEING OK WOBBLING AROUND; THE REF ISN'T BUYING IT.

TKO9!! :shock: