WBO featherweight champion Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete (34-1, 29 KOs) of Mexico City successfully made the first defense of his world title over Puerto Rico's Christopher "Pitufo" Diaz (26-3, 16 KOs) stopping him in the twelfth and final round Saturday night at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida headlining on ESPN.
Navarrete connected Diaz with heavy shots throughout the fight and dropped him a few times. Despite being dropped and bloodied Diaz displayed tremendous heart in giving the champ all he can handle. Diaz corner finally threw in the towel in the final round.
"I think we did put on a worthy performance (of Mexcio vs. Puerto Rico) because ‘Pitufo,’ I knew he was tough, I knew he was strong. And I knew he could hit hard, but he surpassed all my expectations. He brought out all the best in me and so I’ve got a lot of respect for Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz," Navarrete said.
"I was really impressed by ‘Pitufo’ because every time I hurt him, every time I dropped him, he came back stronger. He was a beast in there because he kept coming at me. He kept getting better even though I kept hurting him, and as the fight progressed, you’d expect him to get weaker but he kept getting stronger. I just couldn’t understand it. So I have the utmost respect for Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz and what he did tonight."
Middleweight slugger Edgar "The Chosen One" Berlanga (17-0, 16 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career with an eight round unanimous decision over Demond Nicholson (23-3-1, 20 KOs) in the co-feature bout. Berlanga pounded away and sent Nicholson to the canvas four times. The judges scored the fight 79-69, 79-69, and 79-68.
Junior welterweight contender Josue "The Prodigy" Vargas won a unanimous decision over Willie Shaw an eight rounder.
Prospect Joseph "Blessed Hands" Adorno and Jamaine Ortiz went the distance in an eight-round battle to a draw. Adorno knocked down Ortiz with left hooks in the second and seventh rounds, but Ortiz worked Adorno on the inside landing with combinations. Ortiz dominated the eighth round, as it proved to be helpful for him as the bout was scored a draw.
Unbeaten lightweight and top Puerto Rican prospects were victorious.
Orlando Gonzalez (17-0, 10 KOs) UD 8 Juan Antonio Lopez (15-9, 6 KOs). Scores: 78-74 and 79-73 2x.
Welterweight: Xander Zayas (8-0, 6 KOs) TKO 1 Demarcus Layton (8-2-1, 5 KOs), :56.
ing it here in Kissimmee, in front of my Puerto Rican fans, was memorable. First-round knockout, what else can I ask for?”
Junior Featherweight: Jeremy Adorno (5-0, 1 KO) MD 4 Ramiro Martinez (2-1-2, 1 KO). Scores: 38-38, 39-37 and 40-36.
Junior Lightweight: Jaycob Gomez (2-0, 2 KOs) KO 1 Mobley Villegas (3-2, 2 KOs), 2:38.
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla
Comments