That was Romero’s best stretch of the fight. Lopez recovered in the sixth and resumed moving forward behind his jab while attacking the body. Although the cut began bleeding again late in the contest, he continued outworking a champion who spent too much time waiting for isolated counterpunching opportunities.
Needing a strong finish, Romero remained cautious during the 12th. Lopez stayed on the front foot and completed the fight as the busier boxer. The victory raised his record to 23-2 with 13 knockouts, while Romero dropped to 17-3 with 13 stoppages.
Gary Antonio Russell Takes Santillan’s Interim Belt
A dominant unanimous decision over Victor Santillan gave Gary Antonio Russell the interim WBA super bantamweight title. Scores were 119-108 twice and 118-109.
Superior speed, a sharp jab and faster combinations allowed Russell to control the fight. The matchup between two southpaws produced frequent clinches, but Russell consistently landed the cleaner punches whenever space opened between them.
A right hook to the top of the head dropped Santillan during the 12th round. He beat referee Robert Hoyle’s count and held repeatedly to survive until the final bell. Russell moved to 22-1 with 13 knockouts, while Santillan fell to 16-3 with seven stoppages.
Hernandez Receives Majority Decision Over Veron
A majority decision over Francisco Daniel Veron gave Yoenli “El Diablo” Hernandez the victory in their 10-round middleweight bout. Two judges scored it widely for Hernandez at 99-91 and 98-92, while the third returned a surprising 95-95 card.
Heavier and more accurate punches gave Hernandez control during the opening rounds, while Veron tried to compensate with pressure and a high work rate. Veron created his best moment in the fifth when a check hook briefly wobbled Hernandez and forced him toward the ropes.
The Cuban regained control by attacking the body and landing right hands and uppercuts. Veron continued advancing and throwing through the final bell, but many of his punches missed or struck Hernandez’s guard.
Utria Edges Mercado By Split Decision
A disputed split decision over Israel “Bad Ways” Mercado kept Carlos Utria’s perfect record intact after their 10-round light welterweight fight. Scores were 96-94 for Utria, 96-94 for Mercado and 97-93 for Utria.
Much of the early action belonged to Utria before Mercado closed the fourth with a combination. The fight remained close through the middle rounds, with neither boxer establishing a lasting advantage.
Strong work during the ninth carried Mercado into a decisive final round. He believed he had done enough to win, and sections of the crowd expressed their displeasure when Utria was announced as the victor.
Marco Romero Stops Kahlil Mitchell In First
A sustained attack from Marco Romero forced a first-round stoppage against Kahlil “Killa” Mitchell in their scheduled eight-round bout.
Unable to defend himself, Mitchell was trapped as Romero unloaded a combination during the final minute. Referee Allen Huggins stopped the contest at 2:33.
Johnson Decisions Rodriguez
A six-round decision over Jose Gabriel Rodriguez gave Benjamin Johnson another welterweight victory. Johnson moved to 8-0 with seven knockouts, while Rodriguez dropped to 4-4-1.
Tony Weeks served as the referee.
Brown Sweeps Wiggins Over Six Rounds
Every round went to Joseph “The Prodigy” Brown in a slow six-round middleweight contest against Alton Wiggins. All three judges scored the fight 60-54.
Cleaner punches separated Brown from Wiggins, whose frequent holding prevented the exchanges from developing. The same pattern continued through the sixth.
Blancas Drops Mamone, Wins Decision
A knockdown helped Aldo Blancas secure a unanimous decision over Ricky Mamone in their four-round light welterweight bout. Scores were 39-36 twice and 40-35.
A left hook to the body from Blancas produced a delayed knockdown late in the second. Mamone beat referee John McCarthy’s count and continued despite bleeding from the nose during the third.
Unable to secure the stoppage, Blancas settled for the decision after Mamone survived the final round.
Jimmy Lennon Jr. served as the ring announcer.
Read the full article here