PONCE, Puerto Rico – Yesterday/Friday, Feb. 24, a delirious crowd of more than 2,000 enjoyed eight exciting bouts on the undercard Pa ‘Bravo Yo, Coliseum Salvador Dijols of Ponce.
In the main event, WBC Youth champion, at 130 pounds, Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (7-0, 6KO’s), gave a recital of good boxing and looked stellar in his fight against Bahamian Anthony “Psycho” Woods (17-9, 3KO’s). A dominant Pedraza would get the TKO after Woods’ team threw in the towel at the 2:30 mark of the fourth round.
In total control throughout, Pedraza pressured, used excellent lateral movement, and connected with strong combinations to the face and liver area. Woods showed great heart and sporadically attacked the “Sniper”, but without success.
Pedraza, fighting at lightweight for the first time said afterward, “I feel good. This was a good fight for me as I faced an opponent with a lot of experience. Now, the next step is to return to the gym and keep working hard to become a future world champion. I’m thankful to my promoters, Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and DiBella Entertainment for giving me this opportunity.”
In an action-packed six-round co-feature, the “Pride of Ponce,” Josean Serra (7-1, 5KO’s) scored a first-round knockdown with a straight right hand, but lost a split decision to Julio “Tun Tun” Irrizarry (4-1, 1 KO). There were numerous two-way exchanges throughout between the willing. Irrizarry landed the crisper punches, however, and that may have been the differencet.
At the finish, the judges had “Tun Tun” winning by 58-56 card and 56-56 twice. In Puerto Rico, this score is ruled a split decision.
“Too bad I could not get the win that I wanted,” said Serra, a native of Ponce. “I trained harder than ever but I couldn’t do it. ‘Tun Tun’ was a strong opponent who worked hard. I want to have a rematch soon so I can prove that I won.”
In other undercard fights , undefeated junior welterweight and Team Puerto Rico member, Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs) knocked out Jacey Maldonado (0-2), at 2:16 of the first round.
“Maysonet Jr. is a great talent, said Javier Bustillo, who co-promotes Jorge with Gary Shaw and Warriors Boxing. “We have big plans for Maldonado and I see a future world champion in the years to come.”
In other results: super flyweight Carlos “Kid” Narvaez (4-0, 4 KOs) scored a 59-second, first-round TKO over Victor Montes (0-1); junior welterweight Joshua “Macho” Santiago (7-0, 6 KOs) registered a first-round TKO over William Lorenzo (2-8); junior lightweight Moises Velez (1-0, 1 KO) won his debut by knockout over Cuascot Louis (0-8); super bantamweights Edgar Laboy (1-0-1, 1 KO) drew with Jose Ruiz (0-0-1); and amateur champion Keith Tapia (3-0, 3 KOs) knocked out Ramon Adorno (0-1) in the opening round.
This event was developed by Universal Promotions. The next card of Universal Promotions will be announced soon.
For more information on Team Puerto Rico Boxing and Universal Promotions visit www.unipropr.com or www.teampuertoricoboxing.com.
Juan Leija honors uncle’s memory with win
Houston, Texas February 25, 2012- Featherweight Juan Leija moved his record to 4-0 (1) after defeating Nebraska Native Ricky Laysfield in an action packed four round main event promoted by South Coast Promotions. Leija started out slow in the opening round allowing Laysfield to connect twice with a check hook. From rounds two through four Leija became much more active landing hooks to the body and multiple overhand rights giving him the majority decision.
When asked on how he felt about the fight and the importance of that night:“Overall I give myself a 7 out of 10. I got a little excited by the crowd and the emotions. Things we worked on in the gym, I didn’t fully execute.” Family and friends in attendance were there to honor the memory of Leija’s uncle David that was killed in a car accident February 24th 2008. “He was a big part of my life and a mentor and I dedicate this fight to him.”
Leija’s manager and father stated that he plans on having Leija in the ring four more times this year.
In other action, Super Bantamweight Francisco Arellano (2-1) of Baycity, Texas lost his first fight of his young career when he was upset by Garland, Texas Guadalupe Perez (1-5). The four rounder a complete slugfest that was close from beginning to end was close and left Arellano visibly upset with the judges decision. “These judges were no good.” Arellano stated several times after the fight. “He missed several punches and there was no way he won.”
In other bouts Raymond “Lucky” Brown of Houston, Texas won his second fight of his career moving him to 2-1.