Monday 23 July 2012

Pablo Cesar Cano v Johan Perez

A week ago Danny Garcia claimed the WBC, Ring and WBA "Super" titles at Light Welterweight by scoring a notable upset victory over Amir Khan. Just 7 days later the WBA "interim" Light Welterweight title was on the line as the defending champion Johan Perez (15-1-1, 12) faced the popular Mexican Pablo Cesar Cano (25-1-1, 19).

Going into the bout Perez was all but unknown by those outside of the genuinely hardcore who had followed his career (much of which has been spent in Panama). Despite this Perez had scored some notable results including a draw with unbeaten Panamanian Alberto Mosquera and a victory over hard punching Puerto Rican Kenny Galarza. Sadly however Perez was "just another" WBA interim champion and not one that seemed likely to get much attention unless he was able to make his name in the US.

Unlike Perez, Cano was moderately well known having first come to the attention of the wider boxing world back in September 2011 when he lost a hard fought bout with Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales for the WBC Light Welterweight title. Despite Cano losing to Morales he put on a brave performance despite his face swelling and cutting badly as Morales claimed a 4th divisional title.

The bout started well for Perez who arguably took 2 of the first 3 rounds before Cano managed to find his range and warm to the occasion landing solid jabs and causing a cut on Perez's face in the 4th round. The 4th was the momentum changer with Cano clearly taking the round and he followed up by taking the and 6th rounds. The bout ended in round 7 following a clash that resulted in Cano being cut and the score cards being turned to early with Cano taking a majority technical decision and the WBA "interim" Light Welterweight title.

Whilst I do like Cano, he's a brave kid who seems to be improving, I can't help but feel his defensive liabilities and his propensity for marking up (and cutting) will make his reign (and career) rather short lived. Whilst Perez may well end up calling for a rematch I doubt he'll manage to get it and instead he may well fade back into obscurity as part of the "who needs him?" club.

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