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Near Perfect Performance For Pedraza
By William Trillo
Photos: Mikey Williams - Top Rank
To get a shot at one more world title Welterweight Jose
Pedraza (27-3, 13 KO’s) was going to have to put on an
eye-catching performance against Mikkel LesPierre
(22-2-1, 10 KO’s). Finally squaring off after a Covid-19
related delay a couple of weeks ago the two were center
stage in “The Bubble.”
Immediately the determination on Pedraza was clear as he
took charge from the opening bell. Pedraza looked to be
back in Championship form. LesPierre was a tough foe but
he could not stymie the pressure Pedraza was applying
all night. Kissing the canvas twice in the bout
LesPierre showed his heart and grit by making it all the
way to the final bell.
Pedraza made the most of his time to shine under the
ESPN spotlight. In a near perfect performance the former
champ was awarded a unanimous decision with scores of
100-88 & 99-89 twice.
Reflecting on his fine performance Pedraza declared,
“Mikkel was a tough, opponent, but I stuck to my game
plan. I wanted the knockout, but he stayed strong in
there. I give him a lot of credit. I would like to fight
any of the world champions, but we have to see what
happens next. I proved I belong with the top guys in the
140-pound division. I want to become the next
three-division world champion from Puerto Rico. That’s
my goal. That’s what I’m striving for.”
The last time Featherweight Robeisy Ramirez (4-1, 3
KO’s) faced Adan Gonzales (5-3-2, 2 KO’s) he was on the
upset end of surprising pro debut loss. The two time
Olympic Gold Medal winner would not let that happen
again as he exacted revenge in this six round scrap.
This time Gonzalez, who dropped Ramirez in the first
fight, had no answers for his retooled foe. This one was
not close as all scorecards came up a clean shutout
60-54 across the board.
After the bout Ramirez said, “I wanted to put our first
fight behind me, and I did that. Ever since our first
fight, I wanted the rematch. I am glad this chapter of
my career is behind me now. A couple more rounds and I
could’ve scored the knockout. But I’ll take the win and
continue to work hard on my craft. I have the best
trainer in Ismael Salas.”
The announcers were trying to sugar coat the ho-hum
winning performance by Lightweight Albert Bell (17-0, 5
KO’s) but the fact will remain he is just not a fan
friendly type of fighter. Mark Bernaldez (20-4, 14 KO’s)
had no idea what to do with the long lean fighter who
dominated but had no intentions of turning up the heat
and/or engaging. The only item worthy of note in this
one was that Bell hurt his hand in round nine. The
lackluster snoozer went the distance and after ten
rounds all judges cards read 100-90.
Heavyweight Patrick Mailata (4-1, 2 KO’s) took on a
fighter in Kingsley Ibeh (5-1, 4 KO’s) who literally
just fought one week ago in the very same Las Vegas
Bubble. Ibeh won the fight last week and in like fashion
he came out on top in the battle of behemoths. There
wasn’t a lot of flash in this one but the heavy leather
was flying to the very end. Ibeh took a majority
decision on the cards that read 57-57 & 58-56 x 2.
Super Lightweight Elvis Rodriguez (7-0-1, 7 KO’s)
knocked out Danny Murray (5-4) with a powerful jab at
the 2:13 mark of the first round. That pretty much says
it all.
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