HBO Friday night twin bill from the
Theater at MSG tossed up a dandy of a preview when both
Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juanma Lopez sparkled in
respective TKO wins.
Gamboa first out of the proverbial
gate, made short work of durable, and game but
outclassed Rogers Mtagwa at the 2:35 mark of stanza
two.
The Gitmo gunner now calling Miami
home simply had too much of everything for the
available Tanzanian - Mtagwa first met the canvas late
in the opening candle courtesy of a sizzling counter
left-hook.
Now it's round two with Gamboa
poised and ready to close the show - Mtagwa down from
power right hand - once upright Gamboa pounces with
combinations that sees Mtagwa again on the canvas -
referee Steve Smoger alertly pulls the plug with Mtagwa
upright but clearly out of it.
Post Scripts: Yuri Gamboa: (17-0, 15
KOs) - age 28 ~ former Cuban Olympian couldn't have
looked better - displayed textbook technique while
gifted with quickness in making things look easy. The
media already looking ahead to summer showdown with
Juanma Lopez, which if made would pack the joint -
likely under the MSG Big Tent.
Rogers Mtagwa (26-14-2, 15 KOs) ~
age 30 - with now 42 kept appointments got this gig
off last outing that saw him close to stopping Juanma
Lopez in final stanza. However, was totally out of his
league in with Gamboa.
................................................................................................................................
The Juan Manuel Lopez- Steven Luevano battle played to
a far different tune with both Lopez (WBO Super Bantamweight
champion) and Luevano (WBO Featherweight champion)
working from the port side.
Opening two stanzas Juanma let Luevano dictate the pace
while taking notes - slow and easy with the left coast
southpaw using mucho right jabs with accuracy to steal
both candles.
The Caguas clouter went to work come numero tres
picking up the pace with good combos - again in round
four with Lopez seemingly in control.
It continues all Lopez over chapters five and six - and
the handwriting on the wall hints the bigger punching
Lopez would be closing the show before it would be
going to the scoring judges.
Round seven - Bingo! - Lopez drops Luevano and the
curtain - starts with right uppercut that wobbles his
prey - then right hook - left hand combo and Luevano is
down - referee Benjy Estevez Jr. quickly waves it off
at 0:44 seconds of the round.
Post Scripts: Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KOs) ~ age 26
- has now captured his second WBO bauble -s/bantam -
featherweight. The finishing barrage impressive with
power from both sides. Stay tuned to find rest of the
story in a division loaded with tough hombres.
Steve Luevano (37-2-1, 15 KOs) ~
age 28 - nice technique working off the jab - but power
shortage had him outgunned. Showed grit and good chin
early on, but once the heavy duty found him in numero
seven, it showed the future is wrapped in "Tread
carefully" package.
Closing comments: Referee department - Steve Smoger
earns curtain call for overall performance - let them
fight without jabbering away like we see from them
outta town imposters in need of attention. Pulled the
plug on Mtagwa in timely fashion. Ditto Benjy Estevez
who worked six effortless stanzas before shouting no mas in round seven with Lopez tossing and Luevano
catching.
Commentators - Bob Papa best of the trio - still, more
"BAD" than HBO Saturday Special material. Lennox Lewis
qualifies for "Guiness Book Of Records" as tallest
mannequin faking it as fight commentator. Maxie boy
Kellerman a lost cause as post fight ring interviewer.
Once in sight, safest time to run to fridge for a Bud
Lite.
