By Ken Hissner: At Coliseo de Combates, Pandeportes, Panama City, Panama Friday over ESPN+ promoted by Sergio Gonzalez (Master Promotions), Felix Tut Zabala Jr (All Star Boxing Inc), and Bob Arum (Top Rank Boxing), featured in the Main Event WBA Fedecentro Super Welterweight champion Cuban Damian Rodriguez of Panama City was stopped in the second round by Derrieck Cuevas of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
(Photo credit: All Star Boxing)
In the Main Event WBA Fedecentro Welter champ Damian Rodriguez, 13-2 (7), #146 ¾, of Havana, Cuba, and Panama City, PAN, was stopped by Derrieck Cuevas, 25-1-1 (17), #146 ¾, of Rio Piedras, PR, at 0:29 of the second round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first round, the taller Rodriguez kept Cuevas the aggressor on the receiving end for the most part of the round. In the second round, Cuevas got under a missed left jab from Rodriguez, landing a right followed by a left on the chin, and down went Rodriguez. As he got up at 8, he was not responding to the referee, who waved it off.
In the co-feature Carlos “Little Spider” Ortega, 15-7-3 (6), #107, of La Chorrera, PAN, was stopped by WBO Latino Light Fly champ Rene “Chulo” Santiago, 11-3 (8), #108, of Humacao, PR, at 1:28 of the ninth round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first rounds midway point, a left from Santiago on the chin rocked Ortega knocking him back a step. In the second round, a right uppercut from Santiago on the chin rocked Ortega. In the final half minute, it was Ortega all over Santiago. In the third round, it was all Ortega until the final thirty seconds when a left hook from Santiago knocked out his mouthpiece.
In the fourth round, it was all Santiago rocking Ortega at the end of the first minute with a combination to the chin. He continued dominating the round. In the fifth round, Ortega kept coming forward, walking into the countering punching of Santiago.
In the sixth round’s final seconds, Santiago rocked Ortega with a right on the chin at the bell. In the seventh round, Santiago’s power shots took their toll on Ortega. In the eighth round, a right from Santiago on the chin rocked him. Santiago followed up seconds later with a left on the chin, rocking Ortega.
In the ninth rounds midway points, a right from Santiago on the chin had Ortega out on his feet when his corner waved the fight off.
WBA Continental Americas Super Middle champ Luis J Rodriguez, 12-0 (0), #166 ¾, of Toa Alta, PR, defeated southpaw Roger Guerrero, 17-4-1 (10), #167, of Quito, ECU, over ten rounds.
In the second rounds midway point, Guerrero landed a 3-punch combination to the chin that was countered by a right from Rodriguez on the chin. In the sixth round, a left from southpaw Guerrero on the chin rocked Rodriguez a minute into the round.
In the tenth and final round, there were too many clinches, with Guerrero doing more moving around the ring than fighting with the fight on the line.
Scores were 97-93, 98-92, 96-94, and 95-95 for this writer.
Southpaw Yunior Menendez, 7-0 (6), #173 ¾, of Havana, Cuba, and Panama City, PAN, stopped Juan Carlos Chavarria, 6-2 (6), #173, of San Jose, CR, at 2:30 of the fourth round of a scheduled eight rounds, for the vacant FECARBOX Light Heavy title.
In the first rounds final minute Menendez pinned Chavarria into a neutral corner pounding away without much return right up to the bell. In the second round, Chavarria had a better round until the final fifteen seconds when Menendez rocked him with a left on the chin. Chavarria had swelling around his left eye.
In the third round opening seconds, Menendez landed a combination to the chin, and down went Chavarria for an 8-count. In the fourth round, a flurry of punches ending with a left from Menendez on the chin, and down went Chavarria causing referee Hector to wave it off.