The action opened with Guerrero, a  Dominican transplant now calling Salisbury, MD home displaying the better skills than a tough Philly gamer Gabriel Rosado in a pier sixer that went the full eight rounds. 

The Rosado game plan was one dimensional in the offense department - time the aggressive southpaw on the way in with a power right hand - and the local Salisbury fans couldn’t help Guerrero during stanza three when a Rosado straight right hand dropped the flatfooted Guerrero. 

Guerrero recovered quickly and ran a string of stanzas with superior skills and two handed quickness - only a solid chin construction would keep Rosado competitive to the final bell. 

Scoring went Guerrero unanimous 77-74, 77-74, 76-75 - my unofficial saw it Guerrero 76-75 in points scoring and 5-3 under the round by round method. 

Post Script:

• Fernando Guerrero (13-0, 11 KOs) ~ age 22 - clearly a prospect - southpaw advantage coupled with quickness in all departments. Not the big puncher the stat sheet implies - but a tough opponent loaded in ring generalship while working from the port side. Jury still not selected - middleweight division an evil collection of hombres.

• Gabriel Rosado (10-3, 6 KOs) ~ age 23 - chin, heart, no quit approach - but a one-armed bandito has no serious future. My reaction in this first peek at the kid is where are the tutors in Philly town? Never once put together anything resembling a combination - was strictly looking for the opening with the straight right hand. Needs help in technical skills.
  
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The Yusaf Mack-Chris Henry feature attraction was a busy affair of attrition with veteran Mack in role of underdog against a celebrated power punching Henry enjoying favorite recognition on the strength of Ring Magazine number ten ranking. 

So much for what’s scribbled on paper - Mack grabbed the front side on my scorecard as he bested Henry to the tune of five-one - the favored one managed to draw close over the backside with the Mack gas tank running low - still, Mack would have enough to grab numbers 10 and 12 to earn the win on two of the scoring judges cards. 

Official numbers went Mack 116-112, 115-112, Henry 115-113 - my unofficial saw it Mack 115-113 in points and 7-5 under round by round method. 

Rest of the story:

• Yusaf Mack (27-2-2, 16 KOs) ~ age 30 - earned a spot on one of the sanctioning bodies charts - still, nowhere close to realistic title recognition in a tough l/heavyweight field sporting names Hopkins, Dawson, Glen Johnson, Tarver, Erdie. Still, excellent trial for new kids on the block. 

• Chris Henry (23-2, 18 KOs) ~ age 27 - physically strong - decent punching power but short on skills. Entire game the right hand.

GEL