Fernando Cuza Taquechel vs. Rydell Tyron Booker & James Douglas Tanksley vs. Jalyn Anthony II RBR

Ry weighed 220lbs for the loss to James Toney, and in his return fourteen years later started his comeback against Rodney Moore at just 226¼ in 2018.

He's now 263.8, and looks horrendously fat.

This actually isn't his career high, though...in 2021 he weighed 277 when he fought to a draw with Ray Austin.

 

Very relaxed opener, jab battle.

10-9 Booker, close

 

Cuza throwing more flurrying coming in now, targeting Booker's gut with the plunging right hand.

19-19

 

Booker trying different guards, cross-armed or carrying his left hand low...switching his stance from orthodox to southpaw, but not attacking much. Cuza barely more active, lots of posing and jab feints. Booker charges in with a three punch combo and Cuza with a matador turn sends him almost facefirst into the corner turnbuckle. Body jabs by Cuza. Hook-2 up top by Cuza, blocked. Jab between the wrists by Cuza. Booker peeking between his gloves holding up a high guard. Flush jab from Booker. Lead right by Booker, grazing. Cuza taking his time circling on the outside.

10-9 Cuza, close

29-28 Cuza

 

They have one common opponent:

Terrell Jamal Woods, lost wide decisions against both men, seven years apart.

 

Cuza is listed on BoxRec as southpaw but has fought right-handed the whole fight so far.

One of the commentators has been talking up "the switch", saying that it'll be game over when he makes it.

Ironically, it's been Booker alone who has switched stances.

 

Cuza winning, busier in the 4th and 5th but not landing anything of especially high quality. Just pokes on the gut with the jab and right hand. Everything upstairs is blocked or parried. Booker waiting to counter but has the reflexes you'd expect of a fat forty-something. Cuza occasionally loading up with a looping right hand aiming to go around the guard but can't pin it down cleanly.

49-46 Cuza

 

Booker overhearing the commentary and chatting with them.

He seems content to show off defensively, taunting Cuza, talking some trash, and surviving to a decision loss.

 

Cuza starting to put some mustard on his body shots, grunting with effort as he digs a triple left hook.

 

69-64 Cuza

 

Halliburton half-jokingly considers recruiting Booker as a sparring partner for his upcoming comeback in Germany, and says that Booker would make a good trainer with his defensive know-how.

 

Cuza with some fast shoeshines on the stomach, going for the KO, but Booker is grabbing and pulling down on his arms to stall and turning his neck when Cuza headhunts. They have a heated exchange of power shots in the final ten seconds...first real action over eight rounds.

79-73 Cuza

 

Official cards:

Jacob Nevin 78-74
David Hudson 80-72
Terry Hogan 80-72

UD for Cuza

 

Booker falls to 27-10-1. He is winless since 2022 (before that he won a single time in 2019, and thrice in 2018).

 

Cuza is asked through a translator what he wants next. He says "belts".

I'm not sure that is the play for him just yet, based on tonight. He is scheduled to return on CountryBox 37 in November, opponent TBA.