By Ken Hissner: At the Park Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada, Saturday, over Showtime, Tom Brown (TGB Promotions), in the Main Event WBC World Super Bantamweight champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa lost a majority decision to WBO World Super Bantamweight champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton.
In the co-feature Raeese “The Beast,” Aleem won by majority decision over Eduardo “El Gemelo” Baez over ten rounds.
In the Main Event Unification bout WBC Super Bantamweight World champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa, 22-0-1 (17), #121 ¾, of Weslaco, Texas, WBO World Super Bantamweight champion “Cool Boy Steph” Stephen Fulton, 19-0 (8), #121 ¾, of Philadelphia, PA.
In the first two rounds, Figueroa was all over Fulton, who countered best he could while against the ropes. In the third round, Fulton had Figueroa on the ropes for the first two minutes before returning against the ropes. Fulton landed a good right uppercut on the chin, rocking Figueroa. Figueroa switched to southpaw and back throughout.
In the fourth round, Figueroa again smothered Fulton, not allowing him to use his hand speed. He leans on Fulton without warning from referee Russell Mora. In the fifth round, Figueroa used a good body attack after getting rocked in the beginning with a Fulton left on the chin. In the sixth round, Figueroa continued getting the best of Fulton, who is fighting Figueroa’s fight instead of boxing more.
In the seventh round, Figueroa uses his elbows and whatever it takes against Fulton. In the eighth round, Fulton lands uppercuts nicely while against the ropes. In the final minute, Figueroa took over, having Fulton against the ropes. In the ninth round, Fulton did well, much better with body shots as Figueroa dragged Fulton across the ring without warning.
In the tenth round, the clinching continued making it not a crowd-pleaser like the ring commentators have it. Figueroa landed more punches having Fulton in trouble in the final minute. In the eleventh round, Fulton finally started using his jab, setting up his rights for the first two minutes. Figueroa came on in the final minute.
In the twelfth and final round, Figueroa dominated, landing to the head and body, wearing Fulton down.
Scores were 114-114, 116-112 twice Fulton with this writer 116-112 Figueroa.
Fulton started thanking God when Figueroa came over, starting trouble saying he won. Fulton kept saying it was a close fight. Bad idea, having both interviewed at the same time by Jim Gray.
In the co-feature, WBA No. 1 ranked Super Bantamweight Raeese “The Beast” Aleem, 19-0 (12), #121 ¾, of Las Vegas, NV, won a majority decision over Mexico’s Eduardo “El Gemelo” Baez, 20-2-2 (7), #121 ½, of Calexico, CA, over ten rounds.
In the first round through the fifth rounds, Aleem had the edge of being the more aggressive. In the sixth through the tenth, Baez came back well, but it fell short in the end.
Scores were 95-95, 98-92, and 96-94, with this writer 97-93.
Bantamweight WBA No. 2 ranked Gary Antonio Russell, 19-0 (12), #117 ½ of Capitol Heights, MD, won a majority decision over WBC No. 5 ranked Alexandro “Peque” Santiago, 24-4-5 (13), #118, of Tijuana, Baja California, MEX, over ten exciting rounds.
In the first three rounds, it was all Russell using a good jab and right hooks on occasion. In the fourth through the sixth rounds, Santiago used a good body attack to take the round, having Russell against the ropes for the most part. Russell has slipped to the canvas numerous times.
In the seventh round, a low blow from Santiago during a body attack gave Russell several minutes to recover. Santiago continued taking the round from Russell, having him on the defense against the ropes. I
n the eighth round, Santiago smothered Russell keeping him on the ropes in a close round. In the eighth round, Santiago continued on the attack with Russell clinching and only countering on occasions.
In the ninth round, Santiago drew blood from the nose of Russell. In the tenth and final round, it went down the wire back and forth, with Russell landing a solid left in the last seconds, rocking Santiago. The Referee was Allen Huggins.
Scores were 95-95 and 96-94 twice
Super Lightweight “Prince Rock” Rock Dodler Myrthil, 17-0 (13), #143 ¼, of Haiti and L.A., CA, Kevin Johnson, 9-2 (5), #143 ¼, of Las Vegas, NV, ten rounds.