-Geno Rodriguez-

Time and again the Telefutura FNF Solo-Boxeo offerings sparkle with solid club fight pairings - and on paper, last noche was expected to delivered the norm - a jr. welter pairing with undefeated Mike Alvarado meeting Jesus Rodriguez.

However, the paying clientele of Cicero, Illinois that braved the snow and frigid outside temps, would be treated to a lukewarm night at the fights that bordered on the good-bad-ugly.  

The “good” - bantamweights Francisco Rodriguez of Chicago via Guadalajara, MX (11-1, 7 KOS) age 23, in with Andre Wilson of Saint Joseph, MO ( 9-1-1, 8 KO) age 25 - and as the temps rose with each exchange, the winter outerwear was quickly discarded.

Scheduled as co-feature, it would have clearly stole the show had it not been aborted early as stanza two, courtesy of Wilson counter straight left hand finding the sweet spot resulting in a good-nite-sweetheart message attached.

Began with Rodriguez having the better with early barrage - then again closes the round with the edge during mutual blistering fire fight. Still, the hint here was Wilson carried more power in his southpaw deliveries.

Rodriguez orthodox style but switches to port as well - a big round over most of the stanza - had Wilson in trouble but the kid survives - then, with clock ticking to precious few seconds a sudden, surprising Wilson counter left hand from the proverbial blue and Rodriguez is down.

Francisco somehow beats the count - but is glassy eyed and unsteady - referee Celestine Ruiz wisely calls a halt at 2:59 mark of the round.

Recap: The styles were Rodriguez aggressive with good skills and power while working the body and head. Until the surprise sizzler left hand the chin was no problem. Wilson not as animated - equally tough as his opponent, had the look of power puncher with wiry physique. Patient but busy as well. Both youngsters worthy of another peek.

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The “bad” - fair enough, the Cicero fans were now comfortable off the heat generated over the prior 5 minutes fifty-nine seconds of sizzling warfare - not a negative shout as middleweights Andre Fonfaro of Warsaw, Poland, age 20 with 8-1, 3 KO’s rap sheet in with Mexico’s Jorge Gonzales, age 25 and resume` 5-1, 0 knockouts.  

The much taller Fonfaro with height and reach advantage gets the majority decision on points over a clueless Gonzalez that let the size difference impact his offense.

Scoring went Fonfaro 59-55, 58-56, 57-57 for majority decision.

Closing thoughts: Both fighters should call it a career. Fonfaro a bean pole lacking any hint of power. Not a trace of technique, that saw him trip himself up on several occasions when trying to move in lateral two-step style opposed to forward-reverse. The punches show zero tutoring, thus shortage of needed clout if stepping up a rung at middleweight. Gonzalez could hold hands as they both ride off into the boxing sunset. Is also lacking either skill or punching power - giving up the height he might have tried tossing leather from a crouch. Not a hint of a future if continuing.
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The “ugly”-  not completely sure of which main event fighter is the villain - Alvarado claims the win in landslide scoring - but problem in this pairing is a classic styles make fights example.

Alvarado arrives undefeated at 19-0, 13 KO’s - Rodriguez enters at 17-2, 5 KO’s - and then the opening bell and we get the start of a tale of two unfinished prospects - Alvarado the puncher of the two unsure of when to unload. Reacts in caution to the short on power Rodriguez if any hint of incoming.

Not a good sign for undefeated one with high ratio stoppages - but is how it went - and were the setting NYC of yesteryear, instead of Boos, we’d have heard choruses of “let me call you sweetheart” from those in attendance.

Bigger culprit of two goes to Rodriguez who could best be described in this one as a combination of runner-grabber short on power.

Scoring Alvarado ( 20-0, 13 KO) - 100-90, 98-92, 97-93 - my unofficial saw it Alvarado 99-91 in points and 9-1 under round by round method.

Equally ugly was work of referee in charge AKA house dick Geno Rodriguez - maybe still making amends for disastrous incompetence in Holt-Torres travesty down Colombia way. Never saw the beer bottles on that assignment, but was overly involved in this one.