Caught the Friday (October 20) Telefutura Boxeo televised WBC Continental Americas welter title affair as the principals were entering the ring - and what a catch it was.   

The defending champion Jesus Soto-Karass (14-3-2, 11 KOs) met a willing and able challenger in undefeated Michel Rosales that arrived with questionable résumé of either 16-0, 15 or 11-0, 10.

And then the opening bell: both Karass and Rosales quickly went to close quarters with the leather flying - it was the challenger by a whisker with the more accurate of the two as they both scored with respective combos and flurries.

Each subsequent candle was similar to the prior, as first Karass, and then Rosales, catching the eye with telling body punches coupled with left hooks and right hands to the head - and then numero five and enter referee Gerald Scott.

With both engaged in still another hot exchange, it’s Soto-Karass with a punch touching down below the DMZ - bingo! Referee in charge Scott calls a halt while going the starving for attention route, to deduct a point in a round that saw Karass ahead - thus a 9-9 stanza instead of a Karass 10-9.

Rosales recovers in stanza six with the better accuracy as they both picked up where they had left come the Scott interruption  - then number eight, and again it’s the uninvited third man in charge with a second Soto-Karass deduction for a low blow - at which time my unofficial saw Rosales up in points 76-74.

Rosales maybe grabs number nine but the torrid pace sees fatigue setting in - and stanza ten has a recharged champion Karass somehow increasing the output, and setting the stage for a dramatic comeback knockout win during round eleven.

The beginning of the end late in eleven was a Karass left uppercut - overhand right hand to the target - Rosales backed to the ropes and the hands drop with Karass firing a barrage of power punches, and Rosales is down.

The game kid beats the count but is clearly in no position to continue - TKO 2:21 mark

Post Scripts: Soto-Karass - (age 24) a throwback yesterday club fighter in style. Claimed the WBC minor league strap back in June of this year 2006 with nine round stoppage of Vince Phillips. Goes to 15-3-2, 12 KO’s. Although young enough to improve the technique, is unlikely to change what has got him a strap. Fun watch at the ESPN2, ShoBox, HBO BAD level. Too many serious people at  the next step up.

                       Michel Rosales - (age 23) this one a first loss, whether it be a now 16-1 or 11-1 résumé matters not. The kid showed true grit and gave his all - but was  unable to overcome the wicked pace the in the trenches style this one spawned. A flicker of light in the tunnel hints the loser on this nite the better in technique. Upgrading in style from club fight banger to boxer puncher a must. For now, it’s back to the drawing board.
                    
                      Referee Gerald Scott ~ simply put, just another addition to the today referee performer that can screw up a made to order fan friendly club fight.

Gel -

10-20-06