VILORIA TKO'S CARTAGENA, RUNGVISAI KO'S CHOCOLATITO
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 11 Sep 2017
Former three time world champion, Brian ?Hawaiian Punch? Viloria (38-5, 23KO), fought as if Father Time has not caught him up at 36 years old when he stopped his no-nonsense foe Miguel Cartagena (15-4-1, 6KO). The fight was full of action as the 25-year-old skillful boxer Cartagena displayed youth and vigor when they fought toe-to-toe in the first three rounds.
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In the fourth round, the experience of Viloria prevailed as he thoroughly battered Cartagena almost flooring the Puerto Rican-American but he stayed on his feet as the bell ended the round. Viloria went for the kill in the fifth round with Cartagena taking lots of punishment, the referee stopped the carnage and awarded Viloria the win by technical knockout.
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Viloria weighed 113 1/2 lbs. the day before the match and his manager Gary Gittelsohn plans for his boxer to make a comeback to the 112-pound division to fight for another title. "I thought Brian looked terrific tonight against a solid fighter who came to win," said Gittelsohn as told to Rappler. "Brian makes 112 pounds easily and we're confident he will win another world title in 2018."
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Juan Francisco Estrada (36-2, 25 KO) won an unanimous decision over Carlos Cuadras (36-2-1, 27 KO) with the three judges scoring 114-113, the one point advantage was due to a 10th round knockdown which swayed the scores in favor of Estrada in what could have been a draw.
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Cuadras was initially announced as the winner of the fight, as ring announcer Michael Buffer erroneously read the name of Cuadras as the victor, and big boos echoed from the audience at the StubHub Center. The error, remiscent of the Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Colombia Miss Universe announcement mistake, was immediately corrected.
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WBO Jr. bantamweight titlist Naoya Inoue (14-0, 12 KO) of Yokohama, Japan floored Antonio Nieves (17-2-2, 9 KO) of Cleveland, Ohio in the fifth round before the sixth round corner stoppage of the title fight. It was Nieves? first title attempt and first KO defeat and the Japanese's sixth defense of his title belt. Inoue targetted Nieves' body and worked a tactical bout.
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It was Inoue's first fight in America and he entertained the crowd in the sixth, dropping his hands to taunt Nieves, signalling him to come in, and raising his arms. In round five, a very strong left to the body dropped Nietes to his knees and the knockdown slowed the challenger forcing him to quit at the end of round six.
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In the main event of the ?Superfly,? Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (44-4-1, 40KO) battered Roman ?Chocolatito? Gonzalez (46-2-1, 38KO) by fourth round knockout to retain his WBC super flyweight title at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
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Srisaket won by controversial decision in their first fight prompting the WBC to order an immediate rematch. This time there are no controversies as he annihilated Chocolatito, sending him twice to the canvas in round four by a solid right hook.
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In the first round, both fighters were familiarizing each other's styles and Chocolatito was hesitant to throw his punches. The second round had both fighters opening exchanges, with the champion pressing the challenger with more aggressive offense.
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Action in the third round had Rungvisai releasing the stronger blows. Chocolatito was hit by a thundering right hook in round four by the Thai champion and was dropped to the floor. He managed to get up but Rungvisai again attacked him with the same right hook to drop him intensely never to get up.
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At 1:18 of the fourth round, Rungvisai was declared the winner by KO and successfully defended his belt. Estrada now becomes the mandatory challenger for Rungvisai but a unification bout with Inoue is a very attractive proposition in an all Asian encounter.
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?I trained very hard for four months,? Sor Rungvisai was quoted by Fight Nights. ?I fought for Thailand, and this is what I dedicate this fight to, Thailand. For the first fight, I only trained for two months. For this fight, I trained for four months. I knew I was going to knock him out.?
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"We were both trading punches, but his were harder, and they landed harder," said Gonzalez as quoted by BoxingScene. "I was very hurt the second time when I was knocked down, but I think I'll be OK." He was transported to the hospital immediately after the fight for medical treatment.
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There will be no excuses for "Chocolatito" and he admitted Rungvisai was the better fighter. He could not answer as of yet questions on his future plans for his down sliding career. But not a few called for his retirement and they saw the tragic KO loss as the end of an era for Gonzalez who was once the top pound-for-pound fighter of the world.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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