Solo Boxeo:Gamalier Rodriguez vs. Rafael Tirado & Isander Beauchamp vs. Omar Soto RBR

Round 1

Rodriguez moves laterally, very quickly, as Tirado jabs out of a high guard. Smooth combos by Rodriguez while circling, whipping around Tirado's goal posts with hooks. Body shots by Rodriguez without ever breaking his stride, just bending his knees while moving. BIG left hook by Rodriguez shakes Tirado but he recovers. Tirado keeps forking out his slow jab while turning to face up to Rodriguez. They clinch and separate on ref's orders, and Tirado jumps in with a hook to the head. Rodriguez ducks and hooks him in the body. Tirado tries to wrestle Rodriguez but gets pushed back. Rodriguez pops the jab in between Tirado's wrists and then lunges down to hook him in the side.

10-9 Rodriguez

 

This is shaping up to be about as competitive as Beauchamp vs. Soto was, but at least Tirado's trying.

 

Round 2

Rodriguez is jabbing from long range and performing drumrolls on Tirado's midsection. The body attack is beginning to show its effect on Tirado, as he drifts to the ropes and points his elbows downward to cover the area. Rodriguez sees the vulnerability and presses in, unloading combos downstairs. Tirado is held on the ropes by clubbing rights as he repeatedly tries to hurtle forward and grab hold of Rodriguez. Big overhand right by Rodriguez. Tirado moves in and ties up. Rodriguez jabs into his gloves. Tirado tries to force his own jab through and grazes the top of Rodriguez's head with it but is caught by a stiff counter jab and retreats. Clinch.

10-9 Rodriguez

20-18 Rodriguez

 

Yeah. The matchmaking on these Puerto Rican shows has been questionable, worse than we usually see on Teleftura when they're staged in Mexico or the USA.

 

Round 3

Tirado is throwing long right hands to get off the ropes and getting batted around by counter combinations from Rodriguez. Hooks and rights by Rodriguez to hold Tirado in place. Tirado is incensed, coming forward with wild slices to the body even as he eats jabs. Tirado tries to work his way in more slowly, hands down, jabbing tentatively while cruising around Rodriguez looking for angles. Rodriguez just pops the jab and waves his arms around to deflect Tirado's. Lots of feints by Tirado, but Rodriguez doesn't bite. BIG KNOCKDOWN at the bell scored by Rodriguez on a short hook following a right hand lead. The boricuas go loco, but Tirado makes it up and to his corner.

10-8 Rodriguez

30-26 Rodriguez

 

Tirado quits on his stool.

RTD3.

 

Tonight's theme: old journeymen several divisions north of their ideal/career weight and with flab to show it get fed to young, tall PR prospects...only to bail out when the going gets tough.

Yeah, I'm now really hoping (perhaps unrealistically) that Maskaev vs. Beck tomorrow morning is halfway decent to salvage this last weekend of 2012 boxing.

 

Rodriguez wants Daniel Ponce De Leon??! :blood

No you don't, son. You're less ready than Jayson Velez - and he ain't ready.

 

Swing bout!

 

Kenneth Rivera vs. Alexis Baez, 6 rounds @ featherweight

 

Two kids from Bayamon...

Rivera is 3-1 (2), Baez 0-3-3.

 

Round 1

Sharp left jabs by Rivera. Baez tries to match jabs with him while circling on the outside. Baez has a very odd narrow stance, his long skinny legs held very close together with his feet pointing out to either side. His rickety gait carries him in several revolutions around Rivera, just barely dodging his jab. Rivera starts to put up a right hand behind his jab, and catches Baez high on the face with it. Baez leans in and digs his elbow into Rivera and gets hit with a few quick combos to the body.

10-9 Rivera

 

Round 2

Rivera is working straight combos as Baez tries to throw up missiles between grabbing attempts. Baez tries turning southpaw to throw Rivera off, to no avail. Rivera is all over him, throwing in combination but not landing terribly flush.

10-9 Rivera

20-18 Rivera