By Minnie Larry
Broner vs. Vargas
Jessie Vargas (29-2-1, 10 KOs) fought to a majority draw against Adrien Broner (33-3-1, 24KOs) in a late action packed bout. Vargas used his height to land jabs which took Broner out of his game. He followed up with several body shots which slowed the already cautious Broner. Vargas would continue to focus on the body which seemed to bother Broner.
Vargas built upon his activity up until round 7, when Broner would adjust his style and land an over hand right which kept Vargas honest. He would follow up his right with several body shots which secured him the middle rounds. As Vargas slowed, Broner became more active landing straight rights which resulted in several bruises and a cut over Vargas’ left eye.
In round 10, Broner landed two consecutive uppercuts to close out the round, nearly sending Vargas down. Vargas would recover in round 11, however, but Broner would continue to land 1’s and 2’s, but never going for the knock out. In round 12, Vargas returned to his old form, landing jabs and an over hand right to keep Broner at bay. Vargas would dance and use Broner’s penchant for inactivity to cruise to the end of the 12th round. The fight was then ruled a draw 115-113, 114-114, 114-114.
Charlo vs. Centeno
Unbeaten Middleweight Jermall Charlo (27-0, 21 KOs) knocked out Hugo Centeno (26-2, 14 KOs) with a brutal left hook at :55 of round two, to claim the WBC Interim Middleweight Title. Charlo started off round 1 establishing his flinching jab.
Centeno stormed out in round 2 hoping to smother Charlo with his height. To make a long story short, he did not succeed. Charlo answered with to rights and a left hook over Centeno’s right- which sent Centeno to sleep. Charlo is now the WBC Interim Middleweight Champion, and the number one contender for Gennady Golovkin’s WBC Title.
Davis vs. Cuellar
Gervonta Davis (20-0, 19 KOs), the undefeated super featherweight, scored a 3rd round KO over Jesus Cuellar (28-3, 21 KOs). Davis landed a massive right to Cuellar’s body in the 1st sending the hard charging Cuellar into retreat mode. Davis landed another body shot midway through the 2nd, hurling Cuellar to the mat. Cuellar answered the count, however.
As the round progressed, a distressed Cuellar folded into himself for the remainder of the round. In round three, Davis closed the show with a flurry of uppercuts and body shots forcing Cuellar to the floor for the 2nd time. Seconds later a defeated Cuellar is sent down again – causing Referee Estevez to call an end to the bout. Time was 2:55 of the third.
Other bouts
Female featherweight Heather Hardy (21-0, 4 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Paola Torres (10-3-1, 3 KOs). Scores were 78-74, 78-74, 79-73.
Welterweight Fabian Maidana (15-0, 11 KOs), younger brother of Marcos Maidana, won by a third round corner stoppage against Justin Savi (31-16-2, 21 KOs).
