The Coliseo de Combates in Panama City, Panama was the venue for an exciting night of boxing, promoted by Sergio Gonzalez of Master Promotions, Felix Tut Zabala Jr of All Star Boxing Inc, and Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing. The main event featured WBA Fedecentro Super Welterweight champion Damian Rodriguez of Havana, Cuba, and Panama City, Panama, facing off against Derrieck Cuevas of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
In the first round, Rodriguez, who had the height advantage, kept Cuevas on the defensive for most of the round. However, in the second round, Cuevas slipped under a missed left jab from Rodriguez and landed a right followed by a left on the chin, sending Rodriguez to the canvas. Although Rodriguez got up at the count of eight, he was unable to respond to the referee, who waved off the fight, giving Cuevas the victory by knockout at just 29 seconds into the second round.
In the co-feature bout, Carlos "Little Spider" Ortega of La Chorrera, Panama, faced off against WBO Latino Light Flyweight champion Rene "Chulo" Santiago of Humacao, Puerto Rico. The fight was scheduled for 10 rounds but was stopped at 1:28 of the ninth round. In the early rounds, Santiago's power shots had the upper hand, rocking Ortega with combinations to the chin. However, Ortega showed resilience and came back strong in the later rounds, pressuring Santiago and landing some effective counterpunches.
But in the ninth round, Santiago's punches took their toll on Ortega, and his corner waved off the fight as Ortega was out on his feet after a right from Santiago on the chin. Santiago was declared the winner by knockout, retaining his WBO Latino Light Flyweight title.
In another thrilling match, WBA Continental Americas Super Middleweight champion Luis J Rodriguez of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, took on southpaw Roger Guerrero of Quito, Ecuador, in a 10-round bout. Guerrero had some success in the early rounds, landing a combination that was countered by a right from Rodriguez. However, Rodriguez showed his skill and resilience, weathering Guerrero's attacks and landing effective counters.
The fight went the distance, and Rodriguez was declared the winner by unanimous decision with scores of 97-93, 98-92, 96-94, and 95-95.
Beatrice Adamu is a writer for AceTVBoxing.com. She can be reached via email: adamubeatrice13@gmail.com.
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