ESPN2: Joseph Pedraza Díaz, Jr. vs. Víctor José Terrazas & Vergil Ortiz, Jr. vs. Jesús Álvarez RBR

Round 1

Álvarez is taking jabs in between his rigidly held goalposts, Ortiz finding a spot after throwing a couple of set-up feints before each throw and threading his needle, splitting the wrists of Álvarez. Ortiz doubling up on the jab, changing altitudes, tapping Álvarez on the chest with it and prodding him into the ropes. 1-1-2's by Ortiz, punishing Álvarez when he drops his arms to invest his energy into zigzagging clear of the ropes. Double jab feint by Ortiz and BIG right cross, dropping Álvarez firmly. He beats the count and dances around the ring with his guard up as Álvarez tattoos him with jabs.

10-8 Ortiz

 

Round 2

Álvarez is barely getting a punch in edgewise, occasionally slashing low with a hook or bringing through a slow telegraphed old-timey pitcher's wind-up overhand right. Mostly 1-way traffic, Ortiz doing a number on Álvarez's face with the jab even through his raised guard and working in some vicious body shots with both hands. Ortiz twisting in the pocket to roll with Álvarez's lighter body hooks and scoring his own with some real torque on them, putting either hip into them depending on which direction the hook is coming from. Nice uppercuts inside by Ortiz.

10-9 Ortiz - almost 10-8 again solely by virtue of dominance, though. Without seeing any punch stats I'm guessing this is statistically a whitewash, Ortiz connecting on more than Álvarez has even thrown (by a fair margin)

20-17 Ortiz

 

BERNARD WHY MUST YOU ALWAYS BE YELLING WHENEVER YOU COMMENTATE?!?! NOT EVERYTHING REQUIRES THE LARYNGEAL EQUIVALENT OF PUTTING ON CAPS-LOCK!

 

ESPN2 or the Watch ESPN app on your PC or phone/tablet.

 

Probably formatted to fit ESPN's schedule. Boxing is the redheaded step-child, like I said. Always has to make concessions for this network, and never vice-versa.

 

Round 3

Álvarez is eating nonstop combinations. Ortiz is working off the jab, dribbling it off the bridge of Álvarez's nose, and building into crosses, hooks and turning over short looping rights to ice the cake. Álvarez looking shaky by the ropes but refusing to go down, too brave for his own good. Fortunately we have Raul Caiz Jr. on hand to look after his safety, and he does.

KO3!!

 

@Drew101 it actually was a NABF Junior title, not sure, they might be more routinely scheduled for shorter lengths. Certainly not as prestigious as the "full grown-up" version.

 

Yeah, a little - and that's only worrying because Álvarez should be nicknamed "Hands of Molasses" (or...anything except "Starfruit", honestly...) but then again he might've just figured "this guy isn't hurting me; I can afford to get playful offensively and put on a show in my TV (main card) debut".

 

Vergil is a lucid, bright kid and seems to be pretty self-aware. He gives himself a "D" for his performance in his interview ringside with Hopkins and Beto Duran, and it didn't sound contrived or like a rehearsed line. He's pretty analytical, talking about his flaws, and his intelligence and style have made an instant fan of Bernard (who is also has a business stake in his promotion, but still...you can smell fake BS a mile off, like when his business partner ODLH is hyping up everyone they sign, but his face is genuinely lit up right now)

9-0 (9) is a nice start - granted, feasting on baby-food competition so far, but the fundamentals are there and if this isn't representative of his best work then he's one to keep an eye on.

 

Yeah, watching Bernard's face listening to him was priceless. "OH MY GOD, SOMEBODY THAT ISN'T ME GETS IT!!"

 

Speaking of erstwhile ring stars with a business interest concerning that co-featured bout's participants...

Margo has been taking flack lately for his mediocre showings in his comeback fights, but if Carambolas is any indication of the depth of his roster managing other boxers he might actually want to, uh, not quit his day job...

 

Christian González vs. Rey Pérez, 8 rounds @ lightweight