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ESPN's "Friday Night Fights"
Results
Consensus: Rodriguez Robbed
Earlier tonight, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Warriors
Boxing presented an action-packed seven bout card before a
jam packed house at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK. The
show, broadcast live on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" was
headlined by IBF #3 rated welterweight contender, Delvin
Rodriguez taking on England's Ashley Theophane, in a ten
round welterweight contest.
Both fighters came out and immediately began firing shots,
setting the pace right from the get go. The taller Rodriguez
was the more accurate of the two, with Theophane looking to
land looping shots over Rodriguez's stiff jab.
Each round saw good two-way action from both fighters, but
as the fight progressed, Rodriguez continuously scored the
more telling shots, mixing in some vicious body shots behind
his lethal straight right hand.
There was great action in the 7th, with both fighters going
toe-to-toe to close the round.
Early in the 9th a huge overhand right by Rodriguez hurt
Theophane badly. Rodriguez went right at Theophane, looking
to close to the show, but Theophane was able to stay out of
trouble by tying Rodriguez up and jumping on his bicycle for
the remainder of the round.
The 10th and final round saw non-stop action from both
warriors. Rodriguez's punches were harder and more accurate,
but Theophane was able to land some wide hooks and looping
shots of his own.
The crowd stayed on their feet applauding both fighters,
while the judges tallied the scorecards. The first score
announced was dead even at 95-95, much to the crowd's
dislike, as seemingly everyone in attendance had Rodriguez
as the clear-cut winner, including ESPN commentator Teddy
Atlas who scored the fight eight rounds to two for
Rodriguez. When the other two scorecards were announced as
96-94 both for Theophane, the crowd went into an uproar of
boos. To his credit, Theophane hung tough, and made an
exciting fight out of it, but Rodriguez was just much more
accurate and landed the much harder punches throughout the
entire fight. It was yet another disappointing controversial
decision loss for Rodriguez who drops to 25-5-2, 14KO's.
With the win Theophane improves to 27-4-1, 7KO's.
SIERRA WINS TECHNICAL DECISION IN BLOODBATH OVER GEORGE
In the televised opener Francisco Sierra improved to 22-3,
20KO's winning a 7th round technical decision over
previously unbeaten Donovan George (20-1-1, 17KO's).
The fight on paper promised to be an all-out war, and both
Sierra and George didn't waste anytime in fulfilling that
promise.
Both fighters came out in the first and immediately began
exchanging bombs. Near the end of the first, Sierra wobbled
George with a big hook, but George was able to survive the
round.
The 2nd saw more of the same as both Sierra and George
looked to end the fight with every punch they threw. Another
big hook rocked George midway through the round.
George began boxing and using his jab and had success in the
third and the fourth as it looked as though Sierra might be
tiring a bit. By this time though George's face was a bloody
mess from his broken nose and it seemed to be bothering
George a bit as he continuously wiped the blood away.
Any momentum George gained was lost in the 5th as Sierra
began landing huge shots with both hands.
In the 7th Sierra landed a vicious combo that hurt George,
and then a big right hand sent George down. With blood
pouring down his face George showed his heart and beat the
count, but he looked to be in bad shape. Just as the bell
sounded to end the 7th a huge right hand sent George down
hard. George made it to his stool but was hurt badly. The
punch clearly came after the bell had sounded and Sierra was
deducted two points for the illegal blow. Between rounds it
was determined George was unable to continue, and the fight
went to the judges scorecards, where Sierra was awarded the
unanimous decision victory. It was a very good win for the
Mexican born Sierra, and hats off for the warrior effort by
George.
UNDERCARD:
Andy Lee KO5 James Cook
Jonathan Gonzalez TKO6 Abel Perry
Rances Barthelemy TKO1 Cody Harless
Yordenis Ugas TKO1 DeJuan Jackson
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