Cuadras defeats Guevara in Tashkent
Former Mexican world champion Carlos “Príncipe” Cuadras won the WBC interim super flyweight belt, by defeating his compatriot and also former world champion Pedro Guevara by split decision, this Friday, November 17 in a card that took place as part of the closing of the Convention WBC Annual in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
In the cavernous Humo Arena, where trumpets were blaring and drums were beating, more than 15,000 fans saw Cuadras accomplish the first knockdown of the fight midway through the second round, dropping Guevara with a cracking left hook. Guevara got up quickly, recovered well and fought back for the rest of the round.
Little by little Cuadras slowed down, sapped due to the zapping punishment that Pedro inflicted with body shots.
In the sixth round Cuadras seemed to get his second wind and once again sent his rival to the canvas. With scores announced after four and eight rounds, Guevara realized he was trailing and tried a late charge. His left jabs and body shots were landing. But the overhead rights from Cuadras and work rate were a touch sharper and more decisive.
The judges’ scores were 116-110 and 115-111, while a third judge scored 115-111 for Guevara.
Guevara’s record is now at 40-4-1, with 22 knockouts.
Cuadras will now face the WBC super flyweight champion, Juan Francisco Estrada (44-3, 28 knockouts).
During the card Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield were recognized with belts before a crowd of excited and enthusiastic people who applauded their achievements in boxing.
“King” Carlos Molina didn’t go the distance for the first time in his career, trying at the age of forty, to win the WBC International title from undefeated Albanian Ermal Hadribeaj. His own corner threw in the new red towel at 2.16 of the final round.
Towering undefeated local favorite and southpaw sensation Bakhodir Jalolov made quick work of sturdy South African Chris Thompson who in the press conference had predicted that one punch could change everything.
In the event and in the very first round, two crunching overhead rights from the six feet seven inch tall Bakhodir, backed Chris into the ropes, he sagged from an even harder left hook, nearly going down and then an irresistible flurry dropped him. The referee immediately waved it off. All done and dusted in a minute and a half.
The evening started in a surreal manner with a young man climbing into the ring with his cello and playing a snatch of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
This was an unforgettable grand finale to the WBC’s 61st Convention.
Article sponsored by HÖRFA