Jr. Middleweight contender James Metcalf scored an
impressive ten round unanimous decision over fellow contender Kerman Lejarraga
on Friday night at the Bilbao Arena in Bilbao, Spain. Despite the crowd being
heavily in favor of the local favorite Lejarraga, Metcalf used an effective
strategy with an emphasis on lateral movement and counter punching to
tactically out box the power punching Lejarraga over the course of the ten
round contest. Metcalf appeared to score a knockdown of Lejarraga in round
three with a short right hand to the head, but it was ruled that the punch
landed on the back of the head of Lejarraga.
Although Lejarraga tried in spots to turn the ebb and
flow in his favor and did land hard punches on Metcalf periodically, it was
Metcalf who remained disciplined and was not baited into a toe to toe battle.
Metcalf’s combination punching, and ring generalship ultimately were enough to
earn the convincing unanimous decision, despite being in his opponent’s home
territory. Official scores were: 97-94,
96-94, and 96-95 James Metcalf advances to 23-2, with 14 Knockouts. Kerman
Lejarraga falls to 34-3, with 26 Knockouts.
Also on this card:
In a battle for the vacant European Flyweight
championship Jairo Noriega scored a twelve round unanimous decision over
multi-time European title challenger Angel Moreno. From the opening bell, Noriega’s
hand speed, combination punching, and punching power were simply too much for
Moreno to combat. Late in the first round a hard and short right hook to the jaw
dropped Moreno, but it was not ruled a knockdown. In round five a left hook to
the head did drop Moreno. Despite being tactically outgunned and appearing as
though he was on the verge of being stopped the “Game” Moreno hung in there and
never stopped trying to turn the fight in his favor in what was his fourth
attempt to win the European Flyweight championship. Official scores were:116-110,
and 118-109 (On two scorecards) in favor of Noriega. Jairo Noriega advances to
12-0, with 3 Knockouts. Angel Moreno falls to 21-5-3, with 6 Knockouts.
Undefeated Welterweight Jon Miguez scored a sixth round
knockout of James Moorcroft. A competitive bout, Miguez’ harder punches
dictated the combat though Moorcroft did attempt to fight fire with fire in
spots throughout. The effects of the punishment dished out by Miguez to the
body and head of Moorcroft gradually took a toll. In round six, a left hook to
the body crumbled Moorcroft to the canvas. Moorcroft struggled to get to his
feet, but did manage to beat the count. Despite this, his refusal to turn and
face the referee when questioned if he was okay to continue resulted in the
bout being stopped. Official time of the
stoppage was 1:21 of round six. Jon Miguez advances to 17-0, with 8 Knockouts. James
Moorcroft falls to 16-2, with 5 Knockouts.
Undefeated Bantamweight Fran Mendoza pounded out an eight
round unanimous decision over Alexander Mejia. An entertaining bout from the
outset, Mendoza consistently forced the action and landed several thudding hooks
to Mejia’s head. Despite taking punishment that would likely drop most
fighters, Mejia hung in there and even landed some solid shots of his own in
some heated exchanges in the latter rounds. Official scores were: 80-72, (On
two scorecards) and 78-74 in favor of Mendoza. Fran Mendoza advances to 14-0,
with 7 Knockouts. Alexander Mejia falls to 18-3, with 7 Knockouts.
In a clash of unbeaten Women’s Lightweights Rhiannon
Dixon scored a six round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mahjouba
Oubtil. Dixon found a home for her right hand as she frequently landed it to
the head of Oubtil throughout the bout. In round three it was a right hand that
knocked Oubtil to the canvas. In a strange move, Dixon was deducted a point
moments later by the referee for leading with her head, but she was the one
wounded by an accidental head clash that opened a cut in her hairline. Despite
the cut and the deduction, Dixon continued to press the action and in round
six, would score her second knockdown of Outbil to secure the victory. Official
scores were: 60-52, 58-53, and 57-54 in favor of Dixon Rhiannon Dixon advances
to 5-0, with 0 Knockouts. Mahjouba Oubtil falls to 4-1, with 1 Knockout.
Jr. Welterweight Saul Luna began the evening by scoring a
six round decision over previously undefeated Rikar Urrutia. An interesting
clash of styles occurred in this fight as Urrutia stalked Luna for the majority
of the bout, but Luna’s slick counter punching cleaver elusiveness and harder
punches were enough for him to earn the decision victory. Official scores were:
58-56, (On two scorecards) and 57-57 (Even). Saul Luna advances to 7-2, with 1
Knockout. Rikar Urrutia falls to 5-1, with 0 Knockouts.
With the Boxing world still abuzz over Dmitry Bivol’s
twelve round unanimous decision over superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez several
weeks ago, a victory that some called an upset due primarily to Alvarez’
standing within the sport, despite Bivol being the unbeaten WBA
Light-Heavyweight world champion and the naturally bigger man going into the
fight, some were also surprised that Bivol was able to get the decision victory
over Alvarez in Las Vegas considering that Alvarez is viewed as the biggest star
in the sport and a hot ticket seller in the United States, particularly
whenever he competes in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, Bivol simply did what he needed
to do, and even with a crowd firmly against him, was able to get the job done.
Though on a smaller scale in terms of mainstream
attention, James Metcalf followed a similar approach against Kerman Lejarraga
from the standpoint of having to go into hostile territory and seemingly taking
the crowd influence out of the equation with his tactical Boxing performance.
While some may also consider this victory an upset seeing as Lejarraga was
seemingly on the verge of a potential world championship opportunity later this
year, Metcalf should be given credit for sticking to his fight plan and making
it work for him no matter what the circumstances were. Although one of the
appeals of the sport of Boxing is to see fighters go toe to toe, there is
something to be said when a fighter produces a performance like that one
Metcalf was able to put forth in this fight. The type of performance that could
well revitalize a career.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
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