Velasquez Stops Vazquez, Gamboa Better Steer Clear Of Him

By Boxing News - 07/25/2008 - Comments

velasquez576457.jpgBy Chris Williams: Undefeated featherweight prospect Carlos Ivan Velasquez (8-0, 7 KOs) stopped David Vazquez (17-13-3, 10 KOs) in the 2nd round of a scheduled six-round bout on Wednesday night at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, California. Velasquez, 23, staggered Vazquez with a big left hand in the 2nd round, and then finished him off with a flurry of shots while his back was against the ropes. Referee Raul Caiz moved in and halted the bout at 1:12 of the 2nd round after a final crushing right hand from Velasquez caused Vazquez to sag and collapse against the bottom ring rope.

Velasquez, 5’10”, gave top featherweight contender Yuriorkis Gamboa his last defeat in the 2006 at the Central America and Caribbean Games, which Velasquez would later go on to win the Gold medal at the games. At first hearing this, I thought perhaps the win was a fluke, because Gamboa has looked almost unbeatable since turning professional. However, as soon as the fight started, I could see how would have beaten Gamboa, since Velasquez’s speed, height, long reach and power would have been a huge problem for the tiny 5’5″ Gamboa to have to deal with effectively. Indeed, Velasquez looked every bit as good as Gamboa, perhaps even better because of his ability to punch from long distance due to his long reach and height.

Velasquez skillfully blocked shots in the first round from Vazquez, 31, rarely getting hit in the round. Mostly staying on the outside, Velasquez fired lefts to the midsection and quick left-right combinations to the head of Vazquez. Velasquez mixed up his punches well during the round, throwing about half to the body and the other half to the head. His body shots were particularly hard, and judging by the impact of the shots I figured that Vazquez, a good opponent, wouldn’t be able to stand up to this kind of withering fire for more than a round or two before going down for the full 10 count.

Velasquez was hit with a couple of right hands late in the round, which he allowed to happen due to his urgency in trying to take Vazquez out so quickly. About a minute into the round, the two fighters clashed heads with Vazquez getting a bloody nose out of it. Velasquez would later land some powerful uppercuts and combinations as the round was nearing the end. It was both impressive to see and also interesting to see how well Vazquez took the shots, because most fighters, both good and bad, would have probably been leveled by such powerful shots.

In the 2nd round, Velasquez tore into Vazquez with beautiful left-right combinations to the head. The speed and the impact of the rounds were simply incredible, much better than what I’d seen from any of the fights of Gamboa. Indeed, Velasquez looked a shade better than Gamboa in every facet of his game, whether it be defense or offense.

A short time later, Velasquez landed a big left hook, staggering Vazquez, who immediately backed up to the ropes. Velasquez moved in after him and unleashed a flurry of shots to the head and body of Vazquez ending with a right hand that caused Vazquez to sag down almost lifeless to the bottom of the ropes. The referee Raul Caiz then moved in and halted the fight at 1:12 of the 2nd round.