Lamont “The Reaper” Roach Jr. (25-2-3, 10 KOs) of Washington, D.C., dropped a unanimous decision to former interim WBC lightweight champion William “Camarón” Zepeda (34-1, 27 KOs) of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, in a bout for the vacant WBC lightweight championship.
Roach started well, using his timing and right hand to edge the opening round against the southpaw. Zepeda responded in the second, controlling most of the round before Roach landed a hard right hand late that briefly knocked him off balance.
Zepeda gradually took command from the third through the fifth rounds, outworking Roach with steady pressure and backing him up with combinations. He finished the fifth strongly and continued dictating the action in the sixth, although Roach closed the round with a better final minute.
The seventh through ninth rounds belonged to Zepeda as he maintained a relentless pace. Roach enjoyed one of his better rounds in the tenth despite suffering a bloody nose, then finished the eleventh with renewed urgency knowing he needed something dramatic to change the fight.
Roach boxed aggressively in the twelfth, but it wasn’t enough to erase the deficit. The judges scored the bout 117-111, 117-111, and 118-110 for Zepeda.
Referee: Harvey Dock
Co-Main Event
IBF lightweight champion Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs) of Fontana, California, retained his title with a unanimous decision over former Olympic gold medalist and former WBC super featherweight champion Robson “Nino O Brabo” Conceição (21-4-1, 10 KOs).
Muratalla controlled the opening two rounds before repeatedly catching Conceição with right hands in the third. He continued investing in body shots through the middle rounds, while Conceição enjoyed his best success in the sixth with a left uppercut that earned him one of his few clear rounds.
Muratalla regained control from the seventh through the tenth, consistently beating Conceição to the punch and limiting his offense. The final two rounds were competitive, but Muratalla did enough to preserve his comfortable lead.
The judges scored the fight 118-110, 119-109, and 119-109.
Referee: Thomas Taylor
Raul Curiel Majority Decisions Quinton Randall
2016 Olympian and NABF welterweight champion Raul “Cugar” Curiel (18-0-1, 14 KOs) won a majority decision over former WBC USA Silver champion Quinton “Sugar Man” Randall (17-4-1, 4 KOs) over 10 rounds.
Curiel started slowly but did enough to edge the opening round. Randall used his reach effectively in the second and third rounds, keeping Curiel on the outside while scoring with counters.
Curiel regained control in the fourth and fifth rounds before finishing the sixth with a sharp three-punch combination. He continued pressing the action in the seventh and enjoyed his strongest round in the eighth, hurting Randall with a right hand to the chin during the closing seconds.
A right to the body had Randall backing up in the ninth, and Curiel closed the fight with another solid round to secure the decision.
Scores: 95-95, 97-93 and 100-90.
Referee: Tony Weeks.
Charles Conwell Stops Paul Kroll
Charles “Bad News” Conwell (22-1, 17 KOs) stopped Paul “The Punisher” Kroll (12-1-2, 8 KOs) at 2:38 of the ninth round.
Conwell controlled the opening two rounds, backing Kroll to the ropes with steady pressure. Kroll enjoyed a good third round until Conwell landed a left hand that sent him into the ropes for a knockdown. Kroll also suffered a cut during the fight.
Conwell continued dictating the pace through the middle rounds, although Kroll rallied with competitive efforts in the sixth, seventh and eighth. Referee Robert Hoyle warned Kroll for holding in the seventh.
Early in the ninth, Conwell landed a crushing left to the liver that badly hurt Kroll. As Kroll stopped returning punches, Hoyle stepped in to wave off the bout.
Both fighters were returning after layoffs of more than a year.
Fabian Guzman Decisions Aaron Coley
Middleweight Fabian Guzman (11-0, 8 KOs) earned an eight-round unanimous decision over southpaw Aaron Coley (17-6-2, 7 KOs).
Coley found success countering early, but Guzman consistently outworked him and landed the cleaner punches. Guzman increased his output during the seventh, forcing Coley onto the defensive.
Knowing he needed something dramatic, Coley pressed forward in the final round, but Guzman boxed well enough to close out the victory.
Scores: 78-74 twice and 79-73.
Referee: Robert Hoyle.
Joel Iriarte Stops Jorge Lagunas
Joel Iriarte (11-0, 10 KOs) stopped Jorge “Piolas” Lagunas (19-10, 16 KOs) at 2:48 of the eighth and final round.
Iriarte controlled the bout from the outset with steady body work and physical strength. By the sixth and seventh rounds he repeatedly forced Lagunas to the ropes, where he unloaded combinations.
The eighth followed the same pattern before referee Tony Weeks halted the contest as Lagunas absorbed unanswered punishment.
Gael Cabrera Outpoints Francisco Portillo
Gael “El Terrorista” Cabrera (12-0, 7 KOs) won an eight-round unanimous decision over Francisco “Rayito” Portillo (20-15-2, 11 KOs).
Cabrera controlled the opening three rounds with accurate punching and sharp counters. Portillo pressed the action through the middle rounds, but Cabrera consistently answered with cleaner shots.
Cabrera closed the fight strongly to remain unbeaten.
Scores: 79-73 twice and 80-72.
Referee: Harvey Dock.
Dalis Kaleiopu Scores First-Round Knockout
Dalis Kaleiopu (9-0, 7 KOs) stopped Yeyery “La Buija” Castillo (14-3, 11 KOs) at 2:37 of the opening round.
Kaleiopu hurt Castillo with a right hand midway through the round before another right sent him crashing to the canvas. Castillo was unable to beat referee Robert Hoyle’s count.
Juan Carlos Becerril Upsets Dylan Capetillo
Juan Carlos Becerril (3-0, 2 KOs) stopped Dylan “La Amenaza” Capetillo (2-1, 1 KO) at 2:59 of the third round in a major upset.
Capetillo enjoyed success through the opening two rounds and appeared in control before Becerril turned the fight around in the third. A perfectly timed left hook landed flush on the chin, dropping Capetillo heavily.
Referee Thomas Taylor completed the count, giving Becerril the biggest victory of his young career.
Ring Announcer: Mark Fratto.
Read the full article here
