Long time unbeaten fighter Paul Spadafora (48-1-1, 19) finally suffered a loss as he was out pointed by Venezuela's Johan Perez (18-1-1-1, 2) who in turn claimed the WBA interim Light Welterweight title for the second time.
The fight started slowly with neither man getting much of an advantage in the early going. Despite this it often appeared that Perez was doing more than Spadafora and narrowly claiming the early rounds. It was unlikely that the judges agreed but it was hard to give any of the early rounds to Spadafora who was looking his age.
Perez stepped up the pace of the fight in round 4 and by the end of that round Spadafora's face was showing the signs of a fight. A small mouse and a cut was forming on his face and his defenses were being penetrated on a frequent basis by Perez who was slowly breaking down the former IBF Lightweight champion.
Spadafora managed to gain some success through the middle rounds with some lovely counters but he was still being out worked and seemingly couldn't manage to launch a full blooded attack of his own. The speed of Spadafora wasn't what it once was and it showed as Perez was capable of controlling the pace and distance with out seemingly needing to work for it.
By the end of round 9 it was clear that Perez should have been in the lead. It appeared that even Spadafora knew it as he put his foot on the gas and tried to turn the fight around. Unfortunately for American he lacked the ability, power or speed to make Perez worry and the assault turned back on Spadafora who appeared to have gambled big in the round.
Spadafora would again pick up the pace in round 12 but by then Perez was safe in the knowledge that he had done more than enough. Barring a horror show from the judges Perez was to take the title.
The Venezuelan's heart was likely in his mouth as the score cards were read out reading 114-114, 115-113 and 117-111. Thankfully, despite the poor scores, Perez managed to get the decision and the title.
Showing posts with label WBA interim Light Welterweight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WBA interim Light Welterweight. Show all posts
Sunday, 1 December 2013
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.
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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