Last night’s ESPN Friday night offering showcased WBO welter champ Antonio
Margarito in a lopsided TKO win over tenth ranked Sebastian Lujan.
The pre-fite propaganda gave a hint of what was ahead when describing Lujan as
having the proverbial puncher’s chance … fact is, as in most top ranked vs. 10th
ranked, it is more about no-chance than anything else.
But there was action … The visiting Brazilian claims stanzas one and two with an
aggressive, non-stop, two-fisted approach, while the more seasoned Margarito
settled for a wait and see what he had in front of him.
Now it’s candle three and Margarito picks up the pace with assorted connects …
and it was clear Lujan was in for a long night. A systematic breaking down would
only end come stanza ten, when alert third man in the ring, David Fields,
spotted an evil looking wound to Lujan’s left ear and called in the local medic.
And what the viewer would see up close and personal, was an ear that was
literally unraveling … a yesterday "cauliflower ear" in the making - and it was
quickly halted at 2:57 mark of the round.
Margarito ups the resumé to 31-4, 22 KOs while Lujan drops to 22-2-1,14 KOs.
Post Scripts: Antonio Margarito ~ Next on the horizon is undefeated, but
untested Kermit Cintron of 24 wins with 22 stops. A pairing that should result
in a tell all for both winner and loser. Zab Judah is the ultimate target, but
feelings here is the Brooklyn southpaw’s speed would prevail were it to come
off.
Sebastian Lujan ~ Gave it his best shot while throwing
caution to the wind … all or nothing at all from opening bell until tiring from
the pace. The alleged "brain trust" should be docked half its purse for signing
on the dotted line. Plenty other lesser welters should have been considered for
USA debut.
Welterweight prelim eight-rounder was aborted between stanza two and three when
veteran Stephen Martinez (46-5-1, 28) fell victim to one of them inadvertent
head butts.
While fight was ruled "no contest" due to the early stoppage, from my neutral
corner it looked like a Joshua Clottey nite in the making. He grabs the opening
two candles with good pressure … and while only a one year age difference of 27
to Martinez’ 28, it was clear he has the fresher body.
Clottey (27-1-1, 20) worth another peek. Martinez, with 52 kept appointments has
had better days and no future at this point.
