Connect with us

Boxing

Eric Mondragon won against Kevin Piedrahita after a tough decision

Published

on

by Francisco Salazar |

Eric Mondragon continues to climb towards a contender at 130 pounds.

Mondragon won a hard-fought majority decision Saturday night over Kevin Piedrahita at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. One judge scored the fight 57-57, while the other two judges scored the fight 58-56 and a ridiculous 60-54 for Mondragon, who improved to 10-1-1, with 4 knockouts.

Both fighters stood in the pocket, exchanging punches and combinations, but Mondragon was the busier and more exact fighter during the first two rounds.

Piedrahita clearly won the third round, taking more initiative and being more aggressive. The tactic worked as he managed to put Mondragon on the defensive.

Both had their moments in a competitive and tighter fourth round, but Mondragon changed the pace over the last few rounds. Mondragon varied his attack, connecting more to the body and counterattacking with left hooks and right crosses to Piedrahita’s head.

Mondragon, who lives in nearby Maywood, has amassed a immense fan base, much like his previous fight on March 30, which also took place at Thunder Studios. Mondragon defeated Jenel Laus by decision after six one-sided rounds.

The 25-year-old has won his last two fights since losing by decision to Haven Brady in October 2022. His other notable fight came on the Top Rank card at “The Bubble” in June 2020, fighting to a majority draw against Sanchez’s Mike in a fight in which both undefeated fighters were knocked down.

Piedrahita, who is from Pereira, Colombia and now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, drops to 9-2, 8 KO. Piedrahita previously fought on April 19, defeating Johan Rodriguez Arreguin in the third round.

The 24-year-old has won his last four fights since losing to Lisandro Barazarte in a clash of undefeated prospects in July 2022.

In the main event of the CBN Promotions event, lightweight Tayden Beltran defeated Cesar Villarraga by unanimous decision. The scores were 78-74, 78-74 and 77-75 for Beltran, who improved to 9-0-1, 4 KOs.

The two had their moments in the back-and-forth fight, but the judges were probably impressed with Beltran’s greater punching power. Beltran, who lives in Huntington Beach, California, has won his last seven fights since the September 2021 majority draw.

Residing in Bogota, Colombia, Villarraga drops to 10-10-1, 5 KOs. The 38-year-old has lost his last five fights, all by decision.

In the junior welterweight division, hard-hitting Juan Sanchez of nearby Buena Park improved to 8-0, 7 KOs, defeating Florida’s Jaylan Phillips en route to a knockout victory at 1:39 of the fourth round. Phillips (currently 3-3-4, 2 KO) was undefeated in six previous fights, including three draws with Antoine Cobb.

Sanchez is trained jointly by Abel Sanchez and Ben Lira.

In featherweight action, Compton’s Hector Lopez knocked out Jeronil Borres (12-11-2, 6 KO) of the Philippines at 1:19 of the third round. Lopez (5-0, 4 KO) knocked down Borres twice in the third round, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to stop the fight at 1:54.

Featherweight Jared Hermosillo of Oak Hills, California, found success in his professional debut, defeating Arturo Herrera (0-5) of Killeen, Texas twice en route to a third-round knockout victory at 2:19.

Colombian super middleweight Aristides Garcia overcame a first-round knockout and defeated Henry Rivera (2-7, 1 KO) from Las Vegas by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 38-36 in favor of Garcia, who was also making his professional debut. Garcia also dropped Rivera in the fourth round.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Feargal McCrory Belittles Lamont Roach’s Homecoming Glory; Washington DC Weights

Published

on

Feargal McCrory has warned Lamont Roach that home field advantage won’t matter much when they fight for the WBA super featherweight world title on Friday night.

Roach, 28, a native of Washington, D.C., is defending his title in the city of his birth at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.

Irishman McCrory expects a lot of support and, although he realizes Roach’s fans will be “smaller in number” than those supporting him, he said: “When we get on the pitch it will just be me, him and the referee.

“My last fight was at Madison Square Garden, where thousands of Irish people were supporting me, but I didn’t hear any cheering because I was focused, focused and had a job to do. It will be similar this time in DC. If Lamont takes this approach, there will be no added pressure. All I’m asking for is a fair fight – red corner versus blue corner and for the best fighter of the night to make the decision. All I’m asking for is a level playing field – and that’s all.

“I said it last year. No matter what I ever achieve in this sport in terms of accolades received, my greatest achievement is the support and encouragement I have received from Irish-Americans, Up-to-date York and Philadelphia and even beyond. I am very joyful and blessed that such a wonderful audience came. We will be outnumbered in his hometown, but there are very few fighters who could fly across the Atlantic and receive the support I will bring.”

McCrory, 31, a Up-to-date York resident – Roach lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland – also insists that the timing of his biggest fight, incidentally in a ProBox TV promotion, is in his favor.

“I had a very good, difficult camp with difficult work that should give us the confidence that when I have to go down to the bottom of the well and dig deep, I will be able to do it,” he said. “I am sure that if I do that, I can completely tear down the altar here.

“Expect someone to give it their all. I come to fight, perform and bring excitement to DC. I feel like I’m forceful and I’ve proven that in every fight. I feel like this fight is coming at the right time for me – everything is going to work out well for me as a fighter, as a person and as a man.”

Official weights, ProBox TV Boxing Championships presented by NoXcuse Promotions

World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight championship – 12 rounds

Champion Lamont “The Reaper” Roach Jr. (24-1-1, 9 KOs) of Washington, DC – 130 lbs. Feargal “Fearless” McCrory (16-0, 8 KOs) of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland – 129.6 lbs.

Joint main event

Super middleweight – 10 rounds

Lester Martinez (17-0, 15 KOs) from Guatemala City, Guatemala – 167.2 lbs.

Carlos Gongora (22-2, 17 KOs) from Boston, MA – 168.8 pounds.

Lithe – 10 rounds

Alex Dilmaghani (20-2-1, 7 KOs) from Manchester, England – 132 pounds.

Rene Tellez Giron (19-3, 12 KOs) from Querétaro, Mexico – 136.2 pounds

WBA International Bantamweight Championship – 8 rounds

Rianna Rios (7-0, 1 KO) from Upper Marlboro, Maryland – 116.6 pounds

Mary Romero (10-5, 2 KOs) from Murcia, Spain – 117.2 lbs.

Welterweight – 4 rounds

Benjamin Johnson (professional debut) from Washington, DC – 147.4 lbs.

Michael Williams (2-2, 1 KO) from Las Vegas, Nevada – 147.6 lbs.

Super Flyweight – 4 rounds

Jordan Roach (professional debut) from Upper Marlboro, MD – 115 pounds

Luis Domingo Hernandez Cambero (15-13, 10 KOs) from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic – 113.6 pounds

Junior lightweight – 8 rounds

Greg “Sharpshooter” Outlaw (14-2, 8 KOs) from Bowie, Maryland – 144 lbs.

Isidro Curiel (11-3-1, 6 KO) from Ciudad Madero, Mexico – 144.6 pounds

Lightweight – 4 rounds

Deric “Scooter” Davis (3-0, 3 KO) of Washington, DC – 135.4 pounds.

Matias Agustin-Arriagada (6-11, 3 KO) from Buenos Aires, Argentina – 132 pounds

Welterweight – 6 rounds

Travon Marshall (9-1, 8 KOs) from Landover, Maryland – 151.4 pounds

Luis Midyael Sanchez (9-5, 6 KOs) from San Juan, Puerto Rico – 156 lbs.

Lightweight – 4 rounds

Eric “El Toro” Hernandez (10-1, 5 KOs) of Ashburn, Virginia – 140.6 pounds

Jonathan Hernan Godoy (7-18, 1 KO) from Buenos Aires, Argentina – 142 lbs

Fights are subject to change.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Liam Gallagher to Perform at Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois Fight

Published

on

Copy Link

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will perform ahead of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title fight with Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September, according to promoters Matchroom Boxing. announced on Friday.

Gallagher, who has built a successful solo career since parting ways with his brother Noel.

The fight will be Joshua’s first since defeating Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia via stunning second-round knockout in March.

Two-time world champion Joshua is riding a four-fight winning streak and is looking to regain his position as the top heavyweight contender.

Dubois won his last two fights, defeating Jarrell Miller in December and Filip Hrgovic on June 2. However, the clash with Joshua will be the biggest of the 26-year-old’s career so far.

“That’s what I strive for: to fight the best and be the best,” Dubois said at a news conference Wednesday.

“AJ has been the king for a long time and tonight I must become the kingslayer. That is my goal and mission that I must accomplish.

“I’m learning more about myself as a warrior, as a person, emerging from the darkness into the lightweight, improving as a warrior and an athlete. I’m ready for this and ready to act.”

With fights against Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury potentially on offer for the winner, Joshua insisted he had not overlooked Dubois.

“That’s right, next man up,” Joshua said. “Congrats to Daniel on winning his last fight. Dubois has been on my mind for a while now and I’ll be thinking about him for the next 12 weeks until I put my hand up.

“The goal is just to get through a successful training camp, perform at night, and the shiny things will come later.”

In the film published on social media regarding On Tuesday, undisputed world champion Usyk said he was relinquishing his IBF title as a “gift” to Joshua and Dubois – preparing them for their September 21 showdown.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Estrada denies narrative of aging ahead of Rodriguez clash

Published

on

Image: Estrada Denies Aging Narrative Ahead of Rodriguez Showdown

WBC Super Flyweight Champion Juan Francisco Estrada is rejecting the narrative that he is antique and will lose his title to younger Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez this Saturday night, June 29th, during their headliner on DAZN at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Source: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom)

Estrada’s age and recent performances

Fans believe that the 34-year-old Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) is too antique due to his performances in his last two fights, long career, many wars and a two-year break from the ring.

It’s not like Estrada’s age is too advanced to be considered a winner on Saturday. All that else put together, and he comes face to face with 24-year-old phenom “Bam” Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KO), who is currently in the prime of his career.

Estrada says he wants to continue fighting for some time and is interested in a fourth fight with his nemesis, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, if he can capture the 118-pound bantamweight world title.

Estrada’s determination and plans for the future

“People sometimes disrespect fighters like me when they say, ‘Gallo Estrada is too antique,’” Juan Francisco Estrada said. “But on Saturday I’ll show that’s not true, and my career will continue to grow for a while.”

Estrada didn’t say what his plans would be if he lost to “Bam” Rodriguez and got knocked out. That’s the real question: Will he still want to continue his career if he gets beaten up badly and made to look antique? Estrada didn’t look good in his last fight against “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Argi Cortes two years ago.

Estrada’s performances in both of those fights were far from the level that would have allowed him to win Saturday against Bam. He also cannot count on the judges to give him a questionable decision, as they did in his last two fights against Chocolatito and Argi.

Both of these guys beat Estrada in the eyes of many fans, but fell victim to controversial decisions. Bam is too popular for the judges to give him the compact end of the stick.

Rodriguez’s rising star

“You have already established yourself as a great competitor in this sport regardless of weight. Some would say that a win on Saturday would put you over the top with Inoue, Usyk Crawford and all the rest,” Eddie Hearn said during Thursday’s match last press conferencetalking about Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who will face WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday night.

“These are the fights you want and these are the challenges you want. You’re ready for a wild night in Phoenix,” Hearn said.

“I may not show it, but this was the fight I was looking forward to the most in my entire career.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending