Junior welterweights Jose Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) of Puerto Rico and Brooklyn's Mikkel LesPierre (22-2-1, 10 KOs) squared off on the ESPN main event at the "Bubble" at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The former world champion, Pedraza looked sharp in winning a unanimous decision.
Pedraza drew first blood in the opening round as Les Pierre's was bleeding from his nose. In round two, Pedraza unloaded combinations on Les Pierre as he was up against the ropes shelled up. Les Pierre appeared to be relaxed in the third popping the jab as Pedraza lurked and finished the round strong. In the fourth, Pedraza continued to box well as Les Pierre worked off the jab at a slow pace. Pedraza was down in the fifth from a body shot as Les Pierre scored a knockdown. Pedraza returned the favor, knocking down Les Pierre with a right. Les Pierre's knockdown was later reversed in between the round as Les Pierre's and Pedraza's feet were tangled.
Halfway through in the sixth round, it was all Pedraza as he continued to outbox Les Pierre. In the seventh, Les Pierre chased as Pedraza circled and boxed. Late in the fight, it was all Pedraza as he had his way with Les Pierre fighting confidently. Les Pierre was cut on the right eye as Pedraza worked his way to the decision as he scored a knockdown in the tenth and finished strong.
Scores were 100-88, 99-89, & 99-89 as Pedraza was dominant.
Junior lightweight prospect Albert Bell (17-0, 5 KOs), from Toledo Ohio shutout Filipino Mark Bernaldez (20-4, 14 KOs) in going the distance ten rounds. Bell was slick from the opening bell popping the jab keeping his distance from Bernaldez in the early rounds. Using the height to his advantage Bell boxed as he kept Bernaldez away with the jab.
Halfway through, it was all Bell as he was in control of the Filipino fighter. Continuing to work off the jab, it proved to be effective for Bell as Bernaldez could not get going.Late in the fight, Bell was well on his way to a victory as he continued to be effective but appeared to hurt his hand late in the fight in the ninth round working his way to a victory.
Dominican junior welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez (7-0-1, 7 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic made quick work of Daniel Murray (5-4, 0 KOs). A quick right by the southpaw Rodriguez drilled Murray as he went down as the referee ended his count waiving the bout at 2:13 of the first.
Heavyweight Kingsley Ibeh (5-1, 4 KOs) won a majority decision over Patrick Mailata (4-1, 2 KOs) in going six rounds. Ibeh off a one week rest came into the ring ready to fight as he let his hands go in the early rounds unloading on Mailata. A series of uppercuts by Ibeh in the second connected solidly on Mailata. The pressure from Mailata began to go in his favor in the third as he stood close to Ibeh backing him to the ropes and smothering.
In the fourth, Ibeh appeared to be tiring going back popping the jab as Mailata went forward. Ibeh was tired heading into the fifth as he jabbed and maintained his distance with Mailata continuing to bring it. The sixth and final round, Mailata landed a low blow as Ibeh rested. Following the break, Ibeh stuck the jab and let his hands go as Mailata was limited but heavy with his offense as both men finished with an exchange to the final bell.
In the end the judges scored the bout 58-56, 58-56, and 57-57
In a rematch between featherweights as two time Cuban gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (4-1, 3 KOs) and Adan Gonzales (5-3-2, 2 KOs) squared off in opening the ESPN telecast. It was Gonzales that spoiled Robeisy's pro debut as Ramirez earned his redemption. There was a solid exchange in the third. Ramirez was patient in the fourth as he countered Gonzales. It was all Ramirez as he out-boxed the tough Gonzales throughout the fight working his way to a unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 60-54.
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