Wilder-Ortiz co main event: Jose Uzcategui stops Andre Dirrell in rematch
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Mar 2018
Brooklyn, New York - In a rematch of their controversial fight last year, Venezuelan Jose Uzcategui (26-2, 22 KOs) fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico stopped Andre Dirrell of Flint, Michigan (26-2, 16 KOs) in the 9th round to claim the interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super Middleweight belt that was previously held by his opponent.
After eight one-sided rounds in favor of the challenger, Referee Ricky Gonzales waived the fight off at the second mark of the round upon the request of Dirrell?s corner.
Nine months ago, Uzcategui was disqualified when he hit Dirrell after the bell at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. The fighter from Venezuela maintained that he did nothing illegal and that his punches were delivered within the allotted time during the round.
Chaos ensued after when Dirrell?s uncle and trainer at that time, Leon Lawson Jr., assaulted the Venezuelan fighter in the aftermath of the fight. Lawson was arrested and banned from manning any corner afterwards.
Tonight their second fight which was the Showtime TV opener for the heavyweight battle between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz, was devoid of chaos and controversy. The final result of their interim title tight at the Barclays Center was received without any protests from either camp.
Uzcategui battered and eventually subdued Dirrell with his persistent jabs and a right hand that scored to the head and the body. He was active from the opening bell, boxing and moving fluidly against a timid offense from Dirrell.
Dirrell who is now trained by Virgil Hunter suffered his 3rd loss as a professional and his first under Hunter. He was down two score cards in their last fight before the contentious ending and he was also trailing (74-78, 73-79, 75-77) in all three judges at ringside in Brooklyn.
Dirrell?s face bore the punishment he received from Uzcategui. His face was reddened by the 112 power punches that he received from his challenger. He only managed to connect 51 power punches.
?My strategy was to break him down every round. All credit to Andre, he's a great fighter. He's a championship level fighter and it took me a little bit to figure him out. But I started to figure him out and I'm glad his corner stopped it because it would have ended badly,? said Uzcategui.
?I want all the big fights. I'm ready for them. I want to provide for my family and this is my chance to do it," he declared, aiming at a unification bout with his ?friend? - David Benavidez of the WBC.
?I want to fight David Benavidez. We are good friends but I want to fight him.?
But before Uzcategui can go calling out champions to make those big fights - Uzcategui has to prove who the real king of the 165 pound division of the IBF is. Because despite his success tonight - he still has the to look up above him where Caleb Truax sits as it?s true champ.
Truax will most likely fight James DeGale in a rematch this year and then the victor will have to deal with Uzcategui after.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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