By Sam Gregory: In the co-main event on Showtime Championship Boxing at the Arena Monterrey in Nuevo Leon Mexico undefeated welterweight Luis Carlos Abregu fought Richard Gutierrez in a scheduled 10 round bout in the welterweight division.
In the opening round of this fight both Abregu and Gutierrez used their jab as range finders feeling their opponent out. Several punches were thrown by both men. Then in the first few seconds of the second round Abregu was caught with a solid left hook from Gutierrez that sent him to the canvas.
Going into the third round Gutierrez, who was still fired up from his knockdown in the previous round, tried to step up the tempo of the fight in his favor when he was dropped for the first time in his professional career by an uppercut thrown by Abregu.
Abregu clearly dominated the fourth round. Both men traded left hooks but Abregu got the better of the exchange landing a left hook that appeared to hurt Gutierrez.
All three judge’s scorecards were shown between rounds 4 and 5; Abregu is winning 38-36 on all three cards
Round five was another round that Abregu totally dominated landing a big looping left hand; Abregu managed to keep Gutierrez on the outside where he maintained control by neutralizing Gutierrez’ offense.
In round six Gutierrez landed a solid body shot followed by a combination that had little effect on Abregu. Both men fought in the center of the ring; Abregu was able to land a solid left hook; he looks to have found his offensive rhythm again.
In round seven Abregu lands some solid shots but Gutierrez is able to get off some combinations that find their mark. Instant replay shows Abregu gets caught by Gutierrez’ elbow above the left eye. This round is filled with drama; Gutierrez has blood flowing out of his mouth from a punch by Abregu.
Just as round eight started time was called so the doctor could examine the cut above Abregu’s eye. The fight resumed, Abregu lands a solid combination that rocks Gutierrez. Abregu is in total control of this fight.
Between rounds eight and nine Gutierrez’ corner tells him he needs a knockout to win this fight.
In round nine Abregu uses his jab to neutralize Gutierrez’ offense and keep him from getting inside to land body shots. Gutierrez is only able to land a single jab; Abregu is successful at keeping Gutierrez at bay.
In the tenth and final round Abregu only needs to make it through the round to win the fight. Abregu uses the ring and has no trouble keeping Gutierrez from landing anything of significance. Abregu lands a big left hook to finish the round.
The fight goes to the judge’s scorecards: 98-90 and 97-91 two times for the winner by unanimous decision Luis Carlos Abregu.
Abregu improves his unbeaten streak to 29-0 with 23 KO’s while Richard Gutierrez falls to 24-4-1 with 14 KO’s.