Right from the opening bell, save a breather in stanza six, it was all Verno ... the hand speed, the far better movement as he darted in and out, to the left then the right - it was clear this one would be a long night for the taller but also slower southpaw opponent.
A coup de grace finishing round ten was the icing on the cake for Phillips as he had Lerma on the proverbial ropes and shaky legs ... but the game Lerma made it to the finish line.
Judges scoring went 100-90 twice and 98-92 for the unanimous decision win ... and now the only question left for Phillips to answer is whether he rates among the elite, in a bad as in good jr. middleweight field - or was last nite simply a matter of Verno showcasing against a made to order foe.
Time will tell ... but Verno has sure earned the right to a final shot at one of them gaudy multi-lettered straps out there.
Disappointment was in hearing Lonnie Bradley - Epifanio Mendoza semi had to be scratched after Mendoza blew out the left elbow while warming up awaiting pre-fite ring intros ... too bad, on paper this pairing looked very appealing.
Prelims unworthy of comment.
At age 33, past WBO champ Verno Phillips showed the onlookers he could still walk the walk, as in a ten round cakewalk of a rout over game but overmatched Michael Lerma.
9-05-2003