Rodriguez decisions Hackett in Philly

PHILADELPHIA– Undefeated Juan Rodriguez survived some tense moments to score a closer then the cards six round unanimous decision over Greg Hackett in a Welterweight bout that headlined a six bout card at The Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia.

It was a close and action filled bout from the opening bell as Hackett was effective with his right hand against the southpaw Rodriguez. Round two saw Rodriguez become more aggressive and start working the body of Hackett. The two fought at close quarters in round three with Hackett moving his hands more in tight while Rodriguez continued to work the flanks of Hackett.

The best action of the fight happened in round four as Hackett rocked Rodriguez with a big right that had Rodriguez staggering around the ring. Hackett did his best to try to capitalize and even end the fight but Rodriguez not only survived the round but got in a couple hard shots of his own.

Hackett started off round five by landing three more hard shots which included a good right and a a nice right on the ropes. Rodriguez went back to the body and two fighters thrilled the crowd with some furious exchanges.

Both guys went for it in the final round as Hackett tried to counter the oncoming Rodriguez. there wasn’t much to choose from with the possible exception of Rodriguez work rate against the gaudier punches of Hackett.

Rodriguez Jr., 147 lbs of Union City, New Jersey got the verdict by 60-54; 59-55 and 58-56 to remain perfect at 7-0. Hackett, 149 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia again fought much better then his record indicates and is now 2-9.

Much has been made about scoring after the recent Paul Williams – Erislandy Lara fight a few weeks back in Atlantic City and this fight, while not questioning the winner because Rodriguez fought well enough to win or at worst have a draw but Hackett clearly won one if not two rounds and to have a judge score the fight 60-54 for Rodriguez is a bit dubious. Rodriguez was clearly rocked and hurt in round four which should have been a no-brainer round for Hackett.

In the six round co-feature, Ardrick Butler scored a six round unanimous decision over William Wilson in a Welterweight bout.

Butler dropped Wilson with a right hand in round two. Earlier in the round, The product of Butler’s right hand produced blood from the nose of Wilson. Butler was very effective with the right hand as he used his length to land that shot and come behind it to set up his flurries.

Butler was in control into round six when Wilson, knowing he was behind, went for a big finish by stalking Butler and landed some good body shots.

Butler, 148 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia held on and won by scores of 59-54; 58-55; 58-55 to go to 7-4. Wilson, 148 lbs of North Carolina is now 8-8.

Jose Luis Roque scored a pedestrian four round unanimous decision over durable Taffo Asongwed in a Heavyweight bouts.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Roque, 263 lbs of Miami and is now 4-0. Asongwed, 233 lbs of Montreal is now 2-8-7.

In an entertaining Heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds, John Lennox got tagged time and time again for the first four plus minutes of his bout with John Paulet but came back to stop Pauley at 2:10 of round two.

Pauley continuously landed thudding shots off the head of of Lennox and the feeling of an upset was in the air. Pauley dominated round one and was on his way to taking round two until Lennox landed a hard combination that sent Pauley to the canvas. Pauley got to his feet but stumbled around the fight was stopped with fifty seconds to go in the freame.

Lennnoz, 219 lbs of Carteret, NJ remains unblemished at 6-0. Pauley of Canin Creek, WV is now 5-5.

Georgiy Guralink scored a stoppage at the end of round one of his scheduled four round Heavyweight bout with Damian Richardson.

Guralink landed about fifteen hard body shots in close on Richardson and when the bell rang at the end of the stanza, Richardson seemed spent.

Richardson must have felt the effects of those shots as he could not answer the bell of round two.

Guralink, 225 lbs of Philadelphia is now 2-0. Richardson, 225 1/2 lbs of Washington, DC

The opening bout saw Josh Bowles fight through a cut over his right eye to score a shutout unanimous decision over Cyprian Khumalo in a Featherweight bout.

Bowles was cut early in round one as the two clashed heads. Bowles was effective by mixing up combinations and lead right hands.

Bowles, 126 lbs of Harrisburg, NJ won by 40-36 scores on all cards and is now 2-0. Khumalo, 127 lbs of Maryland is 0-2.

It was announced that Khumalo’s wife was in labor during the fight.

The show was promoted by KEA Boxing