Francisco Rodriguez Jr. vs. Katsunari Takayama RBR

Berry will get stopped if he keeps fighting like this.

Rojas isn't a huge puncher but he is the one carrying all the firepower in this gunfight.

 

Round 5

Rojas is opening up with 1-2s on the head, forcing Berry to duck against the ropes, crowding and trapping him and working in long rapid body combos. Berry dances away, creating distance. Long overhand left by Rojas, missing. Left uppercut and right hook by Rojas missing as Berry goes completely defensive, fleeing and dipping his head to either side. Berry turns southpaw. Right jabs pawed out by Berry. Rojas reaches for him with high right jabs, some brushing the eye socket of Berry. Flush 1-2 by Rojas as Berry is backing straight up. Berry lands a counter hook and Rojas seems pleased, beckoning in with his arms to encourage Berry to brawl.

10-9 Rojas

50-45 Rojas

 

That will vary by region, won't it?

Ch. 726 on Comcast in New England, if that is of help to anyone. :conf

 

Yep. Not always super tidy but he is controlling range well enough and dictating the fight and clearly has the ability to hurt Berry (and nothing to worry about coming back, and knows it)

 

Round 6

Rojas is clearing a path after Berry with his machete jab. Berry occasionally stops in the middle of the ring or by the ropes and begins to gyrate and/or counter with toothless left hooks. Rojas is stepping a bit wide and splaying unbalanced when he throws his power shots but is chasing Berry around, punishing him when he stops.

10-9 Rojas

60-54 Rojas

 

Round 7

Rojas is blocking left jabs on his right forearm, stalking forward. Rojas is giving Berry no respect, leading with left uppercuts from outside barging in. Right hooks on the body by Rojas and more left uppercuts with his feet not even set moving forward. Berry is backing away, lowering his left arm, flicking up jabs when Rojas steps closer. Rojas menaces Berry into a corner and Berry runs out of room, taking a step under the bottom rope and slipping, falling on his face. Not a knockdown says the ref, though Rojas had been stepping in and flurrying when it happened (but didn't actually make contact). Rojas is throwing heavy body shots. Left hand across the shoulders by Rojas. Berry down again in a corner. Ruled a slip again but this one debatable. Hard body shots by Rojas.

10-9 Rojas

70-63 Rojas

 

Round 8

Rojas is throwing right jabs coming forward, tossing left crosses into Berry's nose every time he finds him within range of the probe. Right hooks on the body when Berry tries circling away. Left hooks by Berry, doing nothing. Berry switches to southpaw again. Rojas laughs and showboats, sticking his wingspan out like a bird of prey and lowering his chin for Berry, who cautiously holds back. Rojas ducks in and Berry lands a few body shots. Right and left uppers by Rojas up close. Double right jab by Berry dancing out to center ring leaving Rojas by the ropes. Berry orthodox again. Looping right on the cheek by Berry. Rojas ignores it and digs hard body shots. Berry is hurt by a left shrimping in the corner at the bell.

10-9 Rojas

80-72 Rojas

 

Special guest commentator Miguel Angel Garcia, by the way.

 

Round 9

Rojas is walking into Berry, draping himself over him and smothering him on the ropes. Berry hooks lightly into the body and head but gets no space. Rojas pops him in the face with a lead left as he attempts to ride the ropes past him in a shuffle. Rojas leans back to dodge a looping right from Berry and hits the body. Berry is southpaw, throwing right hooks off the ropes. Rojas forks in right jabs and misses his left crosses just barely past Berry's neck. Rojas takes a step back and lines up the 1-2 perfectly. Berry is hurt. Berry lays on the ropes and turns partially away and turtles his face down, Rojas wailing on his back and sides with body shots.

10-9 Rojas

90-81 Rojas

 

The last round should be dramatic. Rojas clearly wants the KO and Berry doesn't want to give it to him but is being drawn more and more into a brawl fighting on blind instinct and fumes.