Mike Jones vs. Jaime Herrera RBR

Official cards:

1st judge 59-54
2nd judge 59-54
Ron McNair 58-56

UD for Ismael Tito Garcia

 

Anthony Caramanno vs. Marquise Pierce, 4 rounds @ bantamweight

 

Round 1

Caramanno is just hurling in big overhand rights while ducking forward and to his left, whenever Pierce jabs. The overhand right is landing while the jab isn't. Pierce is facing a deficit in speed (of hand, though he appears faster on his feet if questionably balanced), power, and aggression. Quick jabs singled and doubled by Caramanno walking forward, making Pierce spring off the balls of his feet in reverse, spraying leather out as a deterrent.

10-9 Caramanno

 

Round 2

Caramanno is pouncing in landing sharp left jabs and then leaning over before Pierce can let anything go. Combinations by Caramanno at mid-range, carrying the left hand low. Pierce is rolling in with a right hand over the top, telegraphing, Caramanno bouncing away from it. Pierce tries his jab and Caramanno again counters with the big windmilling overhand right. Quick jabs by Caramanno turning on a compass needle and sliding his back foot out to adjust while Pierce circles warily.

10-9 Caramanno

20-18 Caramanno

 

Round 3

Caramanno moves into the pocket throwing a jab and leans over to his right as he usually does. Pierce cuffs him with a hook behind the neck and Caramanno plops onto all fours caught off balance. Pierce nails him again while down! The ref determines it was a knockdown and gives a shocked Caramanno a count even though it was a clear double foul with no warning given to Pierce for either transgression. Caramanno begins to box and move, sticking jabs while slanting his upper body 45° to his right. Pierce doesn't lay a hand on him again despite regularly flashing out jabs and rights while they circle.

10-8 Pierce

28-28

 

Horrific officiating.

If he loses this round Caramanno will lose his zero, by way of highway robbery (via referee incompetence)

 

Round 4

Caramanno is pressing the attack, missing with the lead overhand right or crashing into Pierce's left shoulder with it and then zapping him with hard jabs as he eases off. Pierce is throwing big left and right hooks in hopes of catching the aggressor coming in. Caramanno is being cautious, only coming halfway in and staying in a partial crouch. Double jab feeling out distance by Caramanno. Pierce waves his right hand out in the air several inches beyond his brow in something vaguely resembling a feint of a chopping punch. More jabs by Caramanno pecked in from mid-range as Pierce opts to not pull trigger.

10-9 Caramanno

38-37 Caramanno

 

Debra Barnes & Henry Grant, if anybody cares.

 

Official cards

38-37
38-37
38-37

UD for Anthony Caramanno

 

Caramanno is now 2-0 and has yet to register a KO in his career.

Decent boxer though (might be able to eke out a living at regional level staying unbeaten for a while), and on the big side for super bantam. At only 24 he may well outgrow it soon.

I have to wonder how much his punches will be able to gain opponents' respect at higher weights, though.

 

Omar Curry vs. Marvin Johnson, 4 rounds @ light welterweight

 

Curry and Johnson are both making their pro debuts here. :bbb

 

After this will be two more 4-rounders before the co-main event (which is scheduled for eight and will almost certainly go the distance) and then Jones vs. Herrera to follow. :thumbsup

 

Curry and Johnson fought thrice in the amateurs. Curry went 3-0 over Johnson with 1 knockout. (though Johnson, who fought over 200 times in the amateurs to Curry's 70, interestingly claims they never met)

 

Round 1

Curry jumps on Johnson early, throwing big left hooks. Johnson trades with him and loses his gum shield. Curry is walking forward throwing short rights at the face. Big left hooks by Johnson now, and Curry is hurt! Curry ducks another hook and pops in a right hand. Left hook by Johnson. Curry dives in and grabs Johnson around the midsection and feebly taps his body. Big left hook by Johnson. Curry repeatedly ducks the hook and dives in to hold. Johnson switches now, jabbing first and hooking off it, grazing. Hook by Curry.

10-9 Johnson, took over after the shaky first half-minute