By Ken Hissner: At Madison Square Garden Centre, in New York, on Puerto Rico Parade Day, Saturday, over ESPN+ and ESPN there was more hype than fight in the Main Event unbeaten WBO NABO Super Middleweight champion Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga of New York defeated Roamer Alexis Angulo of COL over ten dull rounds.
In the Main Event WBO NABO Super Middle champ Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga, 20-0 (16), #167 ½, of San Juan, PR and Brooklyn, NY, defeated Roamer Alexis Angulo, 27-3 (23), #169 ½, of Patia, COL, over 10 dull rounds.
In the first two rounds there was little action with Angulo pressing Berlango who countered him. Angulo went to the neutral corner not his own. In the third round Angulo drew blood from the nose of Berlango with an effective jab. Again Angulo went to the wrong corner, but Berlanga’s.
In the fourth round Berlango did little more than use his jab as Angulo came forward landing what power punches there were with uppercuts while Berlango’s nose continued to bleed. In the fifth round the lack of action continued with Angulo doing more than Berlanga.
In the sixth round Berlanga used an effective jab rarely throwing his right but taking the round. By the end of the sixth round the fans started letting the boxers know they want more action. In the seventh round it looked like Berlanga bit Angulo without a warning from Referee Ricky Gonzalez. In the eighth round the lack of action continued until the final seconds when Berlanga landed some punches.
In the ninth round Berlanga is also bleeding from the mouth as well as the nose. In the tenth and final round Berlanga had been told to box and that is what he did while Angulo once again landed more power shots. After the bell both fighters had words when Berlanga head butted Angulo.
Scores were 98-92 and 99-91 twice with this writer 95-95.
Super Feather southpaw Henry “Moncho” Lebron, 16-0 (10), #129.8, of Aguadilla, PR, defeated Luis “Popeye” Lebron, 18-4-1 (11), #130, of San Juan, PR, over 8 rounds, for the vacant WBO Latino title.
In the first round “Moncho” countered “Popeye” who was walking into his punches with little in return. At the end of the round “Popeye” has swelling around his left eye. In the second round it was more of the same with “Moncho” having his way with “Popeye” trying to cut the ring off with no success.
In the third round “Moncho” continued having his way having “Popeye” chasing but walking into punches. In the fifth round referee Murdock warned “Popeye” for hitting while in a break. In the sixth round “Moncho” continued outmaneuvering and out punching “Popeye”.
In the seventh round blood was pouring from the mouth of “Popeye” during the round from the counter punches from “Moncho”. In the eighth and final round it was more of “Moncho” outworking “Popeye”.
Scores were 78-74, 79-73 and 80-72 with a 79-73 from the writer.
Super Bantam Carlos “Purin” Caraballo, 15-2 (14), #120.4, of Ponce, PR, lost to southpaw Victor Santillan, 12-0 (4), #119.6, of DR and Trujillo Alto, PR, over 8 exciting rounds.
In the second round a clash of heads caused a cut under the right eyebrow of Caraballo who had Santillan on the defense for the most part. In the third round referee Eddie Claudio pushed Santillan back for not listening to break. Caraballo took a close round.
In the fourth round a left from Santillan on the chin had Caraballo’s legs almost giving away. He had him hurt again just before the end of the round. In the fifth round Caraballo did just enough to get through the round of taking a beating from Santillan.
In the sixth round Caraballo came back well enough to make it close if not take the round. In the seventh round Caraballo had Santillan backing up at times as both had their moments. In the eighth and final round Santillan did more showboating than fighting.
Scores were 78-74, 77-75 twice as did this writer have it.
Featherweight southpaw Pablo “The Lethal Mosquito” Cruz, 22-5-1 (6), #127.8, of Houston, TX, was stopped by southpaw Orlando “Capu” Gonzalez, 18-1 (11), #128, of Aguadilla, PR, at 1:00 of the fifth round of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the second round Gonzalez almost dropped Cruz with a flurry of punches. In the third and fourth rounds it went back and forth but Cruz seemed to have a slight edge.
In the fifth round Gonzalez turned it all around having Cruz pinned in a corner defenseless when Referee Danny Schiavone called a halt.
Super Light southpaw Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas, 20-3 (9), #142.6, of PR and Bronx, NY, was upset and stopped by Dakota Linger, 13-5-3 (9), #142.6, of Buckhannon, WV, at 2:06 of the second round of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the first round it was Vargas out landing Linger. In the second round a right from Linger dropped Vargas but Referee Ron Lipton called it a slip. Linger drove Vargas into the ropes and Lipton still wouldn’t stop it until the commission person came over at the instruction of the corner of Vargas whom Lipton didn’t see wanting it stopped.
Lightweight Eliseo Villaobos, 2-3 (1), #134.4, of Simi Valley, CA, was stopped by southpaw Armani Almestica, 6-0 (6), #134.2, of Orlando, FL, at 1:40 of the 6th and final round.
In the first five rounds it was Almestica out landing a game Villaobos. In the sixth and final round referee Murdock waved it off with Almestica having too much power shots to the head of Villaobos.
Super Lightweight Omar Rosario, 7-0 (2), #140.6, of Caguas, PR, defeated Julio “Pantera” Rosa, 4-1 (1), #139.6, of Bayamon, PR, and Orlando, FL, over 6 rounds.
In the first round it was very competitive as Rosario had the edge. In the second round Rosario used a counter right to the chin of game Rosa. In the fourth round Rosario was cut on the right eyebrow. They had words after the end of the round. Rosario was too fast a foot and hand for the oncoming Rosa.
In the sixth and last round Rosario kept out landing Rosa for the entire round to easily win the round. Referee was Eddie Claudio.
Scores were 59-55 and 60-54 twice as did this writer have it.
In a rematch Flyweight Christina “The Hell’s Kitchen Kid” Cruz, 3-0 (0), #111.8, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, defeated Maryguenn Vellinga, 3-3-2 (2), #110.6, of Park City, UT, over 4×2 solid rounds.
In the first two rounds ten times Golden Gloves champion Cruz dominated both rounds bouncing up and down using a good overhand right. In the third round Cruz kept her feet more on the canvas taking another round while Vellinga stood her ground.
In the fourth and final round halfway through the round Cruz landed a right to the chin but was countered by a right from Vellinga. In the final thirty seconds a clash of heads opened a cut on the hairline of her forehead of Vellinga. Referee was Danny Schiavone.
Scores were 39-37, 40-36 twice as did this writer have it.
Lightweight Frevian “Pequeno Gigante” Gonzalez, 5-1 (1), #134.6, of Cidra, PR, defeated Refugio “Cuco” Montellano, 2-1 (1), #134.8, of Dallas, TX, over 4 rounds.
In the first round with over a minute gone Gonzalez landed a solid right on the chin of Montellano. Again with a little over a minute left in the round Gonzalez landed it again on the chin of Montellano. In the second round halfway point a left from Gonzalez on the chin of Montellano drove him toward the ropes.
In the third round Gonzalez showed too much movement for Gonzalez and countered him well when he got close. In the fourth and final round Gonzalez rocked Montellano with a right to the chin switching to southpaw and back to orthodox. Gonzalez was always a step ahead of Montellano who never stopped trying but wasn’t quick enough. Referee was Ron Lipton.
Scores were all 40-36 as was this writer.
Time between the co-feature and the main event was much too long starting after midnight.