Undefeated Welterweight prospect Sammy Vasquez scored an
impressive fifth round stoppage over veteran contender Jose Lopez on Tuesday
night at the California University of Pennsylvania Convocation Center in
California, PA. This fight was controlled from the outset by Vasquez’ ability
to use a consistent jab from the southpaw stance to set up opportunities to
land short combinations. Vasquez’ use of angles and lateral movement were also
key components to his success in this fight.
Lopez seemed unable to find an answer that would nullify
Vasquez’ rhythm as this fight progressed. Although Vasquez stood at a distance
where he was willing to engage, Lopez simply could not land consistently with
his offense and periodically walked into counter punches. As the fight
progressed Vasquez continued to have success in landing punches with both hands
often in combination.
It was a combination from Vasquez that would knock Lopez
down to the canvas early in round five. Vasquez appeared to believe that the
fight was over as he began celebrating when in fact Lopez had gotten up from
the knockdown at the count of nine. After being told by Referee Gary Rosato
that the fight was continuing, Vasquez dropped Lopez for the second time with
another combination prompting Rosato to stop the fight. Official time of the
stoppage was 1:08 of round five.
Sammy Vasquez advances to 20-0, with 14 Knockouts. Jose
Lopez falls to 25-4-1, with 15 Knockouts.
In a Jr. Lightweight bout undefeated contender Omar
Douglas scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Braulio Santos.
Douglas was able to score knockdowns of Santos in rounds one and two and won
almost every round on the official scorecards. Official scores were 96-90,
99-87, and 97-89 all in favor of Douglas. Omar Douglas advances to 15-0, with
11 Knockouts. Braulio Santos falls to 12-2, with 10 Knockouts.
In other bouts:
In the Jr. Welterweight division undefeated prospect Milton
Santiago (12-0, 2 with Knockouts) scored a six round unanimous decision over
Alvaro Ortiz (40-18-3, with 24 Knockouts.) Official scores were 60-54 (on all
three scorecards) in favor of Santiago.
Also in the Jr. Welterweight division, longtime Jr. Lightweight
and Lightweight contender Monty Meza-Clay (37-5, with 22 Knockouts) scored a six
round unanimous decision over Jesus Angulo (5-8, with 4 Knockouts) in his debut
in the Jr. Welterweight division. Official scores for this bout are not
available as of this writing.
In the Heavyweight division Stephen Shaw (5-0, with 4
Knockouts) scored a first round knockout over Randy Easton (3-8-1, with 3
Knockouts.) Official time of the stoppage was : 39 of round one.
Also in the Heavyweight division, veteran Jason Bergman
(25-11-2, with 16 Knockouts) scored a six round unanimous decision over Jerry
Butler (9-12-1, with 9 Knockouts). Official scores were 60-54 (on all three
scorecards) in favor of Bergman.
In the Jr. Middleweight division Amonte Eberhart (3-0,
with 1 Knockout) scored a four round unanimous decision over Erik Spring (6-1,
with 1 Knockout). Official scores for this bout are not available as of this
writing.
A scheduled Super-Middleweight bout between Immanuwel
Aleem (13-0, with 9 Knockouts) and Oscar Riojas (9-2, with 3 Knockouts) as well
as a scheduled Jr. Featherweight fight between Stephen Fulton (6-0, with 3 Knockouts)
and Sam Rodriguez (3-0, with 3 Knockouts) did not take place. All four fighters
officially weighed in for their respective bouts on Monday, but there is no
word as of this writing as to why those fights were scratched.
This edition of the Premier Boxing Champions series did
future two rising prospects in Sammy Vasquez and Omar Douglas who are at
similar stages in their careers. Both fighters looked very impressive in their
respective bouts on this card against two “Game”, but over matched opponents.
In regard to Vasquez, who is currently rated number fourteen
in the world by the World Boxing Council (WBC), it will be interesting to see
how he will figure in to what is an extremely deep Welterweight division that
is heading toward a period of transition following the retirement of Floyd
Mayweather. Vasquez, in this observer’s opinion does have the style and skills
that could make him a player in the division for years to come. It will be
interesting to see who he is matched up against in his next fight.
As for Omar Douglas, he may be nearing an opportunity at
a world title at some point in the near future. Douglas, who is rated number
ten in the world by the World Boxing Association (WBA) in its Jr. Lightweight
ratings, could be in position to challenge either WBA world champion Takashi
Uchiyama or Javier Fortuna, who holds interim/regular champion status in the
WBA ratings down the road. As has been
the case over the years, anyone ranked in the top ten by the WBA in any
division could be one fight a way from either challenging a world champion or a
fighter who holds interim/regular status in a given weight class. It may simply
boil down to when the opportunity may be available for Douglas.
It is clear however, that both Vasquez and Douglas have
established themselves as fighters to watch in the future. As both fighters
continue their rise up the ranks, it would not surprise this observer to see
both continue to be featured as part of the Premier Boxing Champions series.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
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