Welterweights Richard Gutierrez and Jose Valera topped last night’s ESPN offering from Fort Lauderdale, Florida - and when the final bell sounded it was all Gutierrez to the tune of 99-91, 98-92, 98-92. 

The taller Varela, at least on my card, only came to life in stanza nine of the scheduled ten rounder when the more energetic Colombian took the stanza off, as if saving something for run to the wire.

Round after round what we had was a lethargic Varela at six-one to Gutierrez’ five-9, unable to get off on offense - and never once used the jab on defense to hold his opponent at bay.

And so it went, a quicker Gutierrez darting inside and out, with effective scoring from both sides of the plate - single positive for Varela was a solid chin that kept him upright from start to finish.

Ironically, the Varela stanza nine version was a totally different entity as he let both hands go in winning the round - but then final round ten it was all Gutierrez.

Rest of story: Had never before seen Gutierrez or Varela do battle - but no sooner catching a glimpse of the “third man in charge” I had gut feeling the peek would be entertaining - the name; Telis Assimenios.

Guess here, the clown sleeps in a crib enclosed with padded walls - and only permitted one night stands to butcher fight assignments. Imbedded for life in the back roads of my memories was his borderline criminal mishandling of a Jan. 11, 08 Edison Miranda knockout of David Banks.

Banks had fallen backwards into and through the ropes and seen finished by all in the house, other than a unqualified showboating ass (first three letters of imenios) who then dramatically gave it a full count as ring apron officials held the stricken one from landing on his head to the floor.

Last noche, no life threatening situations for Telis to screw up - but his repeated  shouted commands at the fighters had to be major distraction.