Carlos Vinan scored a debatable split decision over local favorite Victor Vazquez in the six round Lightweight main event at The Arena in South Philadelphia.
Vazquez came out early firing some solid combination’s and punctuated round one with a nice uppercut at the bell. Vazquez landed some nice right hands in round two. He was getting through with the over hand right and seemed to be finding a home for that punch. Vinan finally started getting into the fight as he started to be effective with shots to the body. The action really picked in round four as both landed some good shots before a furious final half minute where the two stood toe to toe that delighted the Pro-Vazquez crowd.
Over the last two rounds, Vinan landed several solid straight right hands down the middle as the tough veteran continued to press the action. The rounds were very close and the fight could have gone either way but it felt like Vazquez did a little more for the victory.
When the scores were read, it was surprising to hear that Vinan took two cards by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 while a third card was almost as absurd as it was ruled that Vazquez took every round via a 60-54 tally. 15rounds.com/gofightlive.tv card saw 58-56 for Vazquez.
Vinan of Newark, New Jersey scored his second upset in The Arena (he previously beat undefeated Featherweight Prospect, Eric Hunter in the same venue) and is now 9-8-3. Vazquez of Philadelphia falls to 11-4.
In the co-feature, Kareem “Cool Breeze” Cooley took the decision out the judges hands as he scored a third round stoppage over Sidell Blocker in their scheduled four round Lightweight bout.
Cooley moved well and was effective the right hand. In round three, Cooley landed a perfectly timed counter right over the top that dropped Blocker. Blocker got to his feet but the fight was waved off at 1:12 of round three.
Cooley of Philadelphia, trains out of the Joe Hand Boxing Gym and is now 1-0. Blocker is 0-2.
Juan Rodriguez scored a third round knockdown en route to a four round unanimous decision over Dontre King in a Welterweight bout.
Rodriguez dropped King with a flurry of huge shots to the head and never looked back as he win by scores of 40-35 on all cards.
Rodriguez of Union City, NJ is now 2-0. King of Cumberland, MD is 1-6-1.
In a female four round Featherweight bout, Elizabeth Sherman scored a four round unanimous decision over Karen Dulin.
Sherman, 124 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-0. Dulin, 126 ½ lbs of Mystic, CT is now 1-5.
Anthony Yoder Jr. scored a four round unanimous decision over Francisco Portillo in a Lightweight bout.
Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37 for Yoder, 134 lbs of Vineland, NJ to win his pro debut. Portillo, 132 lbs of West Virginia is now 0-2.
Bryan Jennings made a successful pro debut by outpointing Zeferino Albino over four rounds in their heavyweight bout.
Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Jennings, 218 lbs of Philadelphia. Albino of Philadelphia is now 3-10-2.
Lavarn Harvell made quick work of Randy Campbell by scoring a first round stoppage in their scheduled four round bout featuring undefeated fighters.
Harvell dropped Campbell early in the round from a straight right hand. Harvell then jumped all over Campbell and landed a barrage of punches that forced referee Blair Talmidge to call of the bout just 1:52 into the fight.
Harvell, 173 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ is now 5-0 with two knockouts. Campbell, 171 lbs of Bowertown, OH is now 3-1.
In an action filled four round Lightweight bout, Angel Ocasio remained perfect on the strength of a second round knockdown to score a unanimous decision over Osnel Charles.
Ocasio dropped Charles in round two from a solid left hook. Charles showed a lot of moxey as he came on strong and was involved in some nice exchanges but Ocasio’s work rate combined with the knockdown were the catalysts for the unanimous decision by scores of 39-36, 39-36 and 38-37.
Ocasio of Philadelphia is 2-0. Charles of Atlantic City is now 1-2.
Boxing returns to Philadelphia on Friday night April 2nd with a big night of action presented by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Inc. at The Legendary Blue Horizon
The following week, Greg Robinson’s Power Productions returns to The Arena on Friday Night April 9th
