By Ken Hissner: At Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, Thursday before a sold out crowd over DAZN Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) in the Main Event presented returning to the ring after almost a year Puerto Rico’s hard hitting Angel “Tito” Acosta was upset by Venezuela’s unbeaten Angelino “Huracan” Cordova for the WBO International Flyweight championship.
In the Main Event Angel “Tito” Acosta, 23-4 (22), #111 ½, of San Juan, PR, was upset by Angelino “Huracan” Cordova, 18-0-1 (12), #111 ½, of Caracas, VZ, over 10 rounds, for the WBO Int’l Fly title.
In the first round Cordova out landed Acosta for the most part. In the second round during a break from Referee Ray Corona, Acosta landed a left to the body dropping Cordova. After a short rest they resumed fighting with Acosta having a solid edge. In the third round Acosta continued halfway through the round a clash of heads caused a cut on the left eyebrow of Cordova. Acosta hurt Cordova in the final twenty seconds with a right on the chin.
In the fourth round Referee Corona took a point from Cordova for a second hit behind the head of Acosta. Acosta dominated with a good body attack until the final seconds when both were landing punches at the bell. In the fifth round both fighters had their moments with Acosta having a edge.
In the sixth round near the halfway point Referee Corona warned Cordova one more time hitting behind the head he would DQ him. The rest of the way it was very competitive. In the seventh round Acosta had the edge for the most part landing more body shots. In the final seconds Acosta pulled the head of Cordova taking him to the canvas getting a warning from Referee Corona. Punches landed were even.
In the eighth round Acosta landed to the body and near the end Acosta knocked out the mouthpiece of Cordova. In the ninth round both fighters were landing well when for the second time the mouthpiece of Cordova was knocked out by Acosta. The action continued as the bell sounded and Cordova hit Acosta behind the head getting a warning from Referee Corona.
In the tenth and final round the action continued with the mouthpiece of Cordova knocked out for the third time from a right from Acosta halfway through the round. In the final minute Acosta rocked Cordova with a right to the chin having Cordova holding on for the most part to the bell.
Scores were 96-93, 95-94 twice with 96-93 for Cordova from this writer for Acosta. Cordova only had two opponents with winning records in his 17 wins.
In co-feature Feather Jorge Chavez, 6-0 (5), #125 ¼, of San Diego, CA, knocked out Alberto “Pupo” Nieves, 4-3-1 (2), #125 ¼, of Aquadilla, PR, at 1:34 of the fifth round of a 6.
In the second round after a minute Nieves stunned Chavez with a solid jab on the chin. Halfway through the round they exchanged rights to the chin. A right from Chavez with a minute remaining on the chin got the attention of Nieves. Seconds before the bell a left hook on the chin of Nieves from Chavez rocked Nieves.
In the third round Chavez picked up where he left off pressing Nieves and out working him. In the final seconds a right from Chavez on the chin of Nieves rocked him. In the fourth round Chavez kept after the back pedaling Nieves rocking him with a right on the chin halfway through the round. With twenty seconds remaining a jab from Chavez snapped back the head of Nieves.
A minute into the fifth round a right to the body from Chavez and down went Nieves for an 8-count from Referee Edward Hernandez, Sr. Almost halfway through the round another right from Chavez to the body and down went Nieves for the count from Referee Hernandez.
Super Feather southpaw Leonardo “Bazooka” Sanchez, 4-0 (3), #129 ½, of Cathedral, CA, stopped southpaw Mychaquell Shields, 0-2 (0), #130, of San Francisco, CA, at 2:33 of round 2 of a 4.
In the first round Sanchez chased Shields in a match of southpaws Sanchez easily out landed Shields. In the second rounds halfway point Sanchez hurt Shields with a left on the chin and Shields got an 8-count from Referee Ray Armendariz. From that point on Shields kept holding. With a minute remaining Referee Armendariz took a point away from Shields for holding. In the final minute a left from Sanchez on the jaw and down went Shields causing Referee Armendariz to immediately wave it off as Shields hit the canvas.
Super Feather Daniel Garcia, 5-0 (4), #130 ½, of Westminster, CA, impressed in stopping veteran Aldimar Silva, 22-23 (14), #129 ½, of Sao Paulo, BRZ, at 2:14 of the second round of a 4.
In the first round the 21 year-old Garcia chased down the 41 year-old Silva for the entire 3 minutes using an effective jab and several rights to the chin when he caught up to him. In the second round midway as Silva’s overhand rights fell short, Garcia’s left hurt Silva half a minute into the round on the chin. In the final minute a left to the body dropped Silva for the count of Referee Edward Hernandez, Jr.
18 year-old Super Welter Grant Flores, 2-0 (2), #150 ¾, of Coachella, CA, knocked out Terrance “Terriible T” Jarman, 3-4 (1), #152 ½, of Atlanta, GA, at 0:51 of the first round of a 4.
In the first round the first solid punch from Flores a right uppercut to the body and Jarman took the count on a knee from Referee Ray Corona.
Ring Announcer Joe Martinez