Quigg vs Valdez: Eric DeLeon and Andy Vences draw, Andy Ruiz Jr returns with KO
Sunday 11 March 2018 07:33, UK
Eric DeLeon and Andy Vences must surely fight again after their bruising battle ended in a majority draw on a buzzing card in Carson, California.
There were also wins for Arnold Barboza Jr, Alex Saucedo and former Joseph Parker opponent Andy Ruiz Jr, before Scott Quigg came up short against Oscar Valdez, but the chief support super-featherweight rivals couldn't be split.
Mexican DeLeon and America's Vences had plenty to say at Friday's weigh-in and let their actions speak as loudly as their words at the rain-soaked StubHub Center, Carson.
The pair both remained unbeaten but with two of the judges scoring the 10-rounder level at 95-95, the WBO International title remains vacant.
DeLeon (17-0-1-KO10) made the better start but in the middle rounds Vences (20-0-1-KO12) hit back, his right his most potent weapon. Vences produced the sharper combinations and in the penultimate round, two uppercuts redressed the balance before the judges were called upon.
Heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr, the fighter Joseph Parker defeated to become WBO world champion in 2016, produced a chilling first-round knockout.
The 'Destroyer' had been out of action since losing a close majority decision to Anthony Joshua's upcoming opponent, but needed just half of the opening round to flatten Devin Vargas.
Ruiz Jr landed an overhand right early on and then, midway through the round, a heavy right hook saw Vargas go down, unable to get back to his feet.
Arnold Barboza Jr proved too good for stablemate Mike Reed in an entertaining 10-rounder, the Californian taking a unanimous decision.
The Top Rank welterweights served up anything but a damp squib for the soaked crowd, Barboze Jr dominating for the first two-thirds of the fight, eventually taking it 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94.
Barboza Jr's ramrod right caused southpaw Reed problems, almost flooring him in the third. The former linebacker, who would have made a heavyweight when he returned to boxing six years ago, moved to 17-0-KO6.
Alex Saucedo extended his unbeaten record with a classic bodyshot knockout against Abner Lopez.
The Mexican grew into the fight and halfway through the seventh round landed a sickening left hook to the ribs, with the game Lopez unable to get up in time.
Saucedo, who is trained by the renowned Abel Sanches, picked up two NABO belts at super-lightweight and moved to 27-0-KO18.
