Photo: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME – By Sam Gregory: In the main event of tonight’s edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, Cuban born southpaw Damian Frias 16-1 with 7 KO’s takes on Freddy Hernandez 25-1 with 18 KO’s for the WBC Latino welterweight title at Laredo Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas.
This is a scheduled 10 round bout in the welterweight division.
Round 1 both men came out throwing their jab testing their opponent; Hernandez was the first to come forward landing an early body shot. Frias was more on the defense in this round; Hernandez was able to connect with a couple good body punches that looked to win him the round.
Round 2 Frias came out throwing his jab first; Hernandez got off a good combination to the body that was mostly blocked. Frias landed his jab, stepped to the left and landed his left hand to the body. Midway through the round Hernandez out punched his opponent and looked to win the round.
Round 3 Frias landed his jab early but didn’t follow it up; Hernandez was able to land combinations off Frias’ jab. When Frias threw his jab Hernandez landed a solid combination to the body. Hernandez looked to control the round. Hernandez’ best punch was a left hook to the body.
Round 4 Frias came out throwing his jab but Hernandez came back landing a solid combination to the body. At this point in the fight Frias didn’t appear to throw anything but his jab that was usually blocked and followed up with a combination from Hernandez to the body.
Round 5 more of the same with Frias throwing his jab that usually gets blocked and followed up with a combination to the body by Hernandez. Frias starts going to the body with uppercuts; most get blocked, Hernandez is outworking Frias who is backing up throughout the round.’
Round 6 both men come out throwing combinations; Frias throws his jab and follows it up with a combination most of which gets blocked. Hernandez is landing more shots with his combinations to the body. Hernandez continued to be affective with his body punches and looked to win another round.
Round 7 Frias comes out throwing his jab, he doubles up with a combination that gets blocked by Hernandez. Both men tie up, they punch out and Hernandez lands his body shot first. They clinch again; they get separated by the ref, Hernandez punches out but Frias might have done enough to win the round.
Round 8 both men come out throwing their jab, they clinch and get separated by the ref. Both men look worn down, throwing jabs and tying up. Hernandez continues to work the body and score, Frias throws his jab and follows it up with a combination, most of which gets blocked.
Round 9 Frias comes out throwing his jab, Hernandez goes to the body landing solid combinations. Frias throws the jab and follows it up with a left hook that gets blocked. Hernandez throws his jab, Frias ties him up, gets separated by the ref and Hernandez punches out.
Round 10 Frias comes out throwing his jab much harder; Hernandez appears to be hanging on. Frias pushes forward; Hernandez is on the defense. Hernandez throws his jab and does just enough to get by knowing he’s winning the fight. last 10 seconds Frias is more aggressive but does too little too late as the round ends.
After 10 rounds the fight goes to the judge’s scorecards: 98-92 on all three cards for the winner by unanimous decision Freddy Hernandez. Hernandez improves his record to 26-1 with 18 KO’s. Damian Frias falls to 16-2.