By Sam Gregory: The co-main event is an IBF super middleweight title eliminator featuring Librado Andrade, 27-2 (21 KO’s) against Ukrainian southpaw Vitali Tsypko, 22-2 (12 KO’s). The first round started out as a feeling out round for the two; Tsypko was effective with his jab; Andrade landed a couple straight left hand shots.
Round two Andrade drops Tsypko early in the round; Andrade using his left jab as a range finder and dominated the round. Andrade continued to beat Tsypko to the punch.
In round three Tsypko stayed on defense and ate several straight left lands and right hooks to the body. Tsypko tried to put combinations together but Andrade was too fast to counter and keep Tsypko off balance and out of range to land anything substantial.
Round four Andrade is clearly ahead on the cards; his straight right snaps Tsypko’s head back. Andrade is able to turn Tsypko and land his body shots at will.
Round five, Andrade is very effective in landing his straight right hand. Tsypko is throwing punches, landing a few but not very effective. Andrade lands another big right hand that rocks Tsypko. Andrade is wearing Tsypko down.
Round six, Andrade looks stronger as the fight goes on. Tsypko is not a big puncher but does land a few shots that might have won him the round. Andrade’s uppercuts and body shots continue to wear down his opponent.
Between rounds Andrade is ahead on all cards.
Round seven Tsypko is down early in the round. Andrade smells blood and is relentless in his attack, solid right hands to the head rock Tsypko. The pace slows a little by the end of the round but it was another big round for Andrade.
Round eight Tsypko has taken a lot of abuse and it shows. Andrade is taking his time and picking his shots. Half way through the round the ref calls time to fix tape on Tsypko’s glove; Andrade works the body with uppercuts than follows thru with shots to the head.
Round nine Andrade lands more solid head shots; Tsypko stands and trades until Andrade unloads with combinations to the body. The pace slows a little; Tsypko throws a few jabs but nothing effective.
Round ten Andrade continues to push forward; Tsypko throws a jab, Andrade counters and lands a three punch combination. By the last half minute of this round the pace has slowed down a lot.
Going into the championship rounds Andrade is clearly ahead on the score cards. A cut opens above Andrade’s left eye. It’s not clear yet if it’s from a punch or head-butt. Tsypko is more aggressive and lands some big combinations, enough to win the eleventh round.
Between rounds the cut doesn’t look bad above Andrade’s eye.
Round twelve both fighter’s trade combinations Tsypko has Andrade against the ropes throwing big shots. Both fighters move to the center of the ring trading big punches; at this point either fighter could go down. They continue to trade until the closing bell. Very dramatic ending; the crowd is on their feet.
The fight goes to the scorecards; 117-109 twice and 120-106 for the winner by unanimous decision Librado Andrade.
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