SOMETIMES GUTS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 07 Apr 2013
MACAU - Yasutaka Ishimoto was a heavy underdog going into his fight against Wilfredo Vasquez,Jr. The unknown Japanese boxer never fought outside his country and most of his fights were held in Tokyo?s Korakuen Hall.
The Puerto Rican former world champion had the edge in experience and quality of opposition. In the early rounds, Vasquez? advantage in overall skill and accuracy was evident.
But there are fights that bring to light a boxer?s disposition; fights that make them reach down into their final reserves. In a compelling action packed affair, Ishimoto compensated with toughness, aggressiveness and non-stop pressure.
Vasquez drew blood in the 8th from Ishimoto?s left eyebrow. But just like the legendary samurai of pre-industrial Japan, Ishimoto reveled in the heat of battle and dropped Vasquez with a short right near the end of the round.
Ishimoto unloaded every time he cornered Vasquez. The judges? scores differed going into the last two rounds but he did enough to win. Judge Levi Martinez had it 95-95, Robert Hoyle and Salven Lagumbay scored it for Ishimoto ? 95-94 and 96-93 respectively. Ishimoto also got the WBO International super bantamweight title for his fearless effort.
Roman ?Rocky? Martinez of Puerto Rico retained his WBO world super featherweight title and handed Diego Magdaleno of the U.S. his first career loss. Magdaleno was the more talkative fighter during the pre-fight presscon but the deceptively awkward Martinez also gave a determined stand and decked the southpaw Magdaleno with a right straight in the 4th.
Magdaleno was mobile and fast, but Martinez was steadier in the homestretch, taking rounds 10 and 11 on all three judges? cards. Levi Martinez had it 115-112 and Michael Pernick scored 114-113 for Martinez, Robert Hoyle voted for Magdaleno 116-111.
It was Juan Francisco ?El Gallo? Estrada of Mexico who gave the most indomitable and memorable performance of the evening when he spoiled the Filipino party in Macau when he outfought Brian ?The Hawaiian Punch? Viloria, taking the WBO and WBA world flyweight title belts. Viloria landed punches that would have felled a fighter two divisions higher but Estrada matched him blow for blow and even more and Viloria wound up faded and bloody in the endgame. The scorecards read - Levi Martinez ? 115-113 for Viloria, but Michael Pernick ? 116-111 and Francisco Martinez - 117-111 scored it for Estrada.
Top photo: Japan's Yasutaka Ishimoto sends Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Vazquez Jr to the canvas during their Saturday night bout at the Cotai Arena at The Venetian Hotel & Casino in Macau. Photo by Dong Secuya.
China's Zou Shiming celebrates after winning over Mexico's Eleazar Valenzuela. Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank.
CHINA?S GOLDEN BOXER SHINES IN DEBUT
Raw courage was not enough however for Eleazar Valenzuela of Mexico. Maybe the tidal wave of history was just too much to overcome. Zou Shiming, two time Olympic gold medalist, won by shutout 40-36. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said during the post fight press conference that most amateur stars get soft touches in their debut, but he did not want to insult Zou and the people of China so he matched their hero with a tough guy.
Zou was fast and toyed with Valenzuela, he flicked his left jab and landed quick right hands. The Mexican seemed lost even if Zou did not come close to scoring a knockdown.
Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach said that Zou still goes back to his old amateur habits but is a talented fighter and will not have any trouble learning to fight as a professional. He repeated his prediction that Zou will win a world title within one year.
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