Last evening’s Telefutura Boxeo offering from
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico saw local favorites Alex
De Jesus and Roman Martinez bringing home the bacon
with respective stoppages over inferior talents.
Martinez opened the show with a game and brawling in
style Baudel Cardenas - a thriller that had the live
clientele at the edge of their seats - the bounty up
for grabs a WBO Latino Super featherweight strap.
Opening stanza it's Martinez the quicker in all
departments in a feeling out round that saw both
looking to counter - then candle two with Martinez
early and Cardenas late in a session that closed
with a sizzling exchange of power punches.
The choreography changed from candle three on -
Martinez opting for text-book movement and counters
on the outside and sizzling inside combinations -
Cardenas choosing the all out frontal assault while
winging wildly from both sides.
The local from Vega Baja, P.R. sparkled like wine as
he scored repeatedly with a wealth of combinations
that had the Los Mochis, Mexico gamer paying for
every missed offering - still, Cardenas bit the
proverbial bullet until the tank ran empty late in
stanza nine.
It was late in round nine that a Martinez barrage
dropped Cardenas - and then took no more than the
41 seconds mark of number 10 to close the show with
a big left hook.
Post Scripts: Roman Martinez (14-0, 10 KO’s) -
wears the sobriquet "Rocky" - bad fit, this young
age 23 is all sweet science in skills. The trick bag
rimming with left hook body punches, to varied quick
combinations. Cheated at birth of one-punch power,
but sets a pace that can claim scalps. Minor league
strap helps the resumé but not just yet ready for
the 130-pound tank where the pugilistic piranhas
play. Maturity can only add to the luster.
Baudel Cardenas (15-8, 6
KO’s) - the "Mr. KO" sobriquet suits the fiery
Mexican in style - coming off three losses in last
four outings smells of bad matchmaking for the 25
year young warrior. The toughness on display last nite is admirable but "opponent" label unfair at
this point of career.
Referee Ramón Solíz ~ earned
5-stars of solid gold work in a barnburner affair.
Unlike the usual hacks on display, Soliz never once
went the self promo route - cool, calm and
positioned, without a single hint of urgency.
………………………………..........................................................................
Main event featured undefeated southpaw Alex de
Jesus using late sub, Colombian Jefferson Rodriguez
for target practice in a terrible mismatch that
should never have been sanctioned - and this a WBO
Latino, WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation and WBA Fedecaribe title
affair.
Bad, bad, bad is best I have for it - the challenger
is an old age 30 coming off KO losses in last three
outings - Daniel Seda TKO8, Vicente Escobedo KO2,
Monty Meza Clay TKO5 - quite a qualifier, eh?
Rest of the story: All De Jesus in opening stanza
with Rodriguez looking shaky in the legs before
taking a punch - then numero dos the Colombian
pigeon being dressed and down from straight left
hand from the southpaw.
Final candle three it’s De Jesus pitching and
Rodriguez catching - first a left hand drops
Vicente and is followed by a solid right hook for
second knockdown - should be stopped but referee
Pabón lets it go to the bell.
Corner finally pulls the plug between rounds 3 and 4
- likely concerned over paycheck if Rodriguez leaves
on respirator - sad doesn’t come close.
Post Scripts: Alex de Jesus (13-0, 9 KO’s) ~ first
peek at the young age 23 solid in physique portsider
- the late sub was there for the taking - the
winning trophies are nice but could result in a rush
job. The brain trust should stay the course until
the finishing process is complete.
Referee Luis Pabón ~ easy
assignment and it showed - still, no passing grades
- mismatch should have been aborted immediately
following second knockdown in second candle; lets
corner pull the plug between 3 and 4.
GEL -
11-17-06
