By Andy Rivera: Urbano Antillon looked impressive in his run towards a world title shot at 130 or 135 pounds, as he stopped Daniel Attah in round four at Isleta Casino, outside Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA on Friday night. Antillon remained unbeaten with the win. Attah lost his second straight fight.
Antillon 23-0 (17) was on top of Attah 24-5-1 (8) early landing lead right hands to the head of the left-handed Attah. Antillon’s defense was tight and compact as Attah would try to attack Antillon only to have most punches blocked by Antillon. Antillon would dominate the round with precise body punching with both hands.
Attah would be the aggressor in round two, by going right at Antillon, but most shots once again were blocked by Antillon’s arms. Antillon would fire back to Attah’s body keeping Attah at bay. It looked like a surgeon at work with Antillon picking Attah apart as the round progressed. Attah tried to fire back, but had nothing to keep Antillon off him.
In round three Antillon came out more aggressive against Attah backing Attah to the ropes most of the round with solid body punching with both the left and right hands. Once again Attah would try to fight back but Antillon was too strong. Antillon was able to put Attah down with less then a minute to go in the round, with a left hook to the body. Attah was able to beat the count and last the round.
|
|
Antillon picked up where he left off by digging left hooks to the side of Attah in round four. Attah grimaced each time he got hit. One last left uppercut sent Attah to one knee where he was counted out by referee Rocky Burke.
At the time of the stoppage Antillon was ahead 30-27 on all three score cards and also retained his NABF 130 pound belt.
The future looks bright for Antillon in his quest for a title, while Attah may have seen his better days as a top contender.
ZAMORA WINS LOCAL BATTLE OF WELTERWEIGHT
In the co-main event, a battle of two of the top welterweights in the state of New Mexico; Joaquin Zamora halted Ray Sanchez III in the third round when the doctor halted the action due to a cut over Sanchez III right eye. At the time of the stoppage Zamora was in control of the fight - wobbling Sanchez III numerous times during the bout.
The two welters stepped it up to battle each other in a bout fans have called for during the past three years.
In the first round both tried to establish their jabs, with Zamora pressing forward and Sanchez III countering with his. Zamora seemed the sharper of the two as Sanchez III’s punches missed often and wide. Although there weren’t many fireworks, Zamora was able to land a good flurry at the end the round, to maybe steal it on the scorecards.
Round two was all Zamora, as he continued to fire his jab while avoiding Sanchez III punches. Zamora exploded in the final minute when he landed a hard left hand the stunned Sanchez III which caused Sanchez III to grab Zamora; as the referee broke them up Zamora jumped all over Sanchez III, landing punch after punch sending Sanchez III reeling to the ropes and trying to hold for dear life. Sanchez III was all but out on his feet as the bell rang, as he slumped to the ropes only to have them hold him up. Sanchez II went to his corner with a cut over his right eye.
In round three Zamora came out using his composure in knowing he had a wounded fighter in front of him, keeping patient his plan was landing right jabs followed by left hands to the head. Sanchez III to his credit would try to fire back, but he didn’t have the firepower to keep Zamora from coming forward. Midway thru the round referee Steven Blea called timeout to have the ring doctor look at Sanchez III’s eye. Sanchez III was unable to continue with Zamora raising his hands upward to the sky in signaling victory.
After the bout Sanchez III claimed the cut was the result of a head butt, although replays showed several times it was a left jab the caused the cut. "It was a butt. I don’t see how a jab could cause so much damage," stated Sanchez III. He also said he wanted a rematch with Zamora.
Sanchez III has been halted twice in less the 12 months (last December by Julio Caesar Chavez Jr.) and doesn’t look like the same fighter he was earlier in his career…his punches aren’t as sharp and are wide and he doesn’t seem to take a punch as well either. Hopefully his team will take a long look to see where he goes from here.
As for Zamora, he has opened up opportunities to be more active with the win on national television…maybe a rematch with Sanchez III will be next or Top Rank will use him more on upcoming cards. He was rated as high as 8th by the WBA, but due to inactivity his ranking was taken away. Now it seems he will be a busy man in the future.
Undercard
Bantamweight Robert Marroquin w pts 6 Gino Escamilla
Super Bantamweight Sammy DiPace w pts 4 Julio Valadez
Welterweight Gerardo Ibarra w tko 2 Richard Baldo
Super Bantamweight Ricky Vasquez w pts 4 Marcos Acosta
|
Subscribe to feed
