Star+/DAZN/GBP YouTube: Ángel Luís Acosta Gómez vs. Angelino Rafael Córdova Martínez RBR

Arely Muciño (Tito's wife and training partner, a successful pro boxer herself) looking cute - but mildly concerned - at ringside.

 

Round 6

Córdova is continuing to "ai-eeeh" his way through, sapping Acosta's strength with frequent clinches and throwing in pairs to both head and body. Ref gives Córdova his stern final warning - any more clinching and he's facing a DQ. Acosta looking tired or - something's off. He's getting hit more, clapped with some Córdova hooks. Acosta still landing more and cleaner stuff, mostly on the body. Córdova is taunting him, darting halfway into the pocket and stopping.

10-9 Acosta, close

60-53 Acosta

 

Round 7

Córdova is forcing some messy exchanges on the inside. He puts Acosta in a headlock. Ref being lenient and not pulling trigger on the disqualification even though Córdova has initiated multiple holds this round alone. Very little jabbing from either man. Acosta walks in with both gloves swinging at his sides and lumps in shots above Córdova's hip, but few and far between. Both throw wild head hunting haymakers and miss. Hideous round.

10-9 Córdova

69-63 Acosta

 

He does and that's been a slow burn over a few rounds finally culminating in the last, so it'll be a rough 8th-10th for him - but Córdova, especially with the point deduction, basically needs at least a couple of knockdowns to win at this point. So if he can just stay off the canvas Acosta should be good to coast.

 

Round 8

Córdova is sticking with the blueprint - throwaway jab, "ai-eeeh", clinch, body shots on the break, sprinting away. Not much Acosta can do with him except slash in low scything arcs inward. Seems like each glove weighs 20lbs, he absolutely refuses to lift them either to fire at Córdova's head or defend his own. Córdova making it an ugly staccato dogfight.

10-9 Córdova

78-73 Acosta

 

Round 9

Córdova is managing to pester Acosta into retreat, scoring with a reach-in double jab and right hand up on his toes. Acosta reacting badly to shots - gassed and buzzed. Acosta with very wide, slow hooks. Córdova jams him up with the octopus treatment, arms entangled. Córdova loses his gum shield and the ref drags him by the arm to his corner to replace it from the water bucket. Córdova winging left hooks and looping rights into the neck and head of Acosta in a chaotic melee up close. Both loading up but Córdova bending his chin down and taking most of Acosta's shots across the upper back, although he is caught a time or two big.

10-9 Córdova

87-83 Acosta