Kosei Tanaka vs. Julián Yedras RBR

Why the close-up of the shoes? :huh

 

Round 11

Tanaka is jumping in, hooking the body, quickly backpedaling out before Yedras can retaliate and force-feeding him a jab on the way out. Tanaka is able to change elevation on his punches and skitter laterally by half- and quarter-steps just enough to keep Yedras entirely off rhythm, flailing at shadows. Tanaka is showing no signed of tiredness now as he glides in a spiral in and out working jabs and 1-2s. Yedras is caught by a right hand up top clapping him on the ear as he tried pushing his way in behind a jab only to find Tanaka ducking before he was halfway there. Tanaka slipping the Yedras left hook with a turn of the cheek and slamming down with the right.

10-9 Tanaka

109-100 Tanaka

 

Round 12

Tanaka is pestering Yedras with the jab and constant speedy carousel movement, bobbing up and down now to further aggravate the Mexican. Big haymakers from Yedras now, loading up & selling out. Tanaka is forced to remain poised and think fast, turning at just the right moment to slip punches and with a counter jab or swatting hook each time. Yedras is bowling in uppercuts on the body now, throwing himself at Tanaka. One more stiff jab by Tanaka, kicking his left foot out in a weird little hokey-pokey to begin his celebration as the final bell rings, climbing up one turnbuckle immediately.

10-9 Tanaka

119-109 Tanaka

 

Official cards:

Salven Lagumbay 117-111
Luis Ruiz 115-113
Sawaeng Thaweekoon 117-111

UD for Tanaka

 

Lol @ the Hispanic judge.

 

I don't know quite what to make of that performance. Yeah, he beat a ranked guy wide & comfortably...but at times he looked to have issues with his pacing (although maybe not, because he magically recharged in no time...but then why even pretend to be fading if you don't need to?) and was susceptible to getting dragged into brawling.

Still, very good young prospect.

Er, make that young champ.

 

Rest up for the UK card. :good