Zuffa 02 Results: Rayo Defeats Torres

Photo - Zuffa

Former WBA super lightweight champion Jose Valenzuela took on fellow Mexican Diego Torres in a hectic 10-round scrap at lightweight. Torres exhibited a classic, straight forward Mexican style of fighting while Valenzuela was extremely awkward in both his offense and defense- punching off the wrong foot, erratic movement, you name it. Torres seemed to start off strong and had his best moment in the fourth when a strong left hook opened a nasty cut on the right eye of Valenzuela. Torres did his best to capitalize on the cut, but the erratic style of Valenzuela made that task difficult. Valenzuela used his movement and unorthodox offense to his advantage, nullifying Torres’ efforts and impressing the judges, all three of whom tabbed the fight 99-91 for Valenzuela. He moves to 15-3, 9 KOs while Torres drops his second at 22-2, 29 KOs.

Bohachuk Wins Split Decision Over Butaev

In a tense Russia/Ukraine match up at middleweight, former WBC interim super welterweight champ Serhii Bohachuk took on former WBA regular welterweight champ Radzhab Butaev. It was hard to believe that Butaev ever made welterweight as he looked very comfortable at middle. Although the punch stat numbers appeared fairly even after the first three rounds, Bohachuk seemed to be more affected by the shots of Butaev. In the second half of the fight, Butaev seemed to tire, his mouth open. Perhaps the extra weight did affect his conditioning. It was hard to figure out if there was any tactical strategy being implemented as it appeared to be a case of each taking their turns pounding the other, a “you hit me and then I’ll hit you,” type of fight. The judges saw it: 96-94 Bohachuk, 96-94 Butaev and 96-94 for Bohachuk, by majority decision. He moves to 27-3, 24 KOs. Butaev falls to 16-2, 12 KOs.

Kalajdzic KO's Gvozdyk in 7

Opening the main segment of the Zuffa Z02 show at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas was former WBC light heavyweight Champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk taking on Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic. Gvozdyk came out all business as a quick left – right dropped Kalajdzic in the first round. Kalajdzic recovered nicely and got out of the round. Gvozdyk imposed his class and pedigree on Kalajdzic and dropped “Hot Rod” again via body shots as the fourth was nearing the end. Gvozdyk was coasting along to a certain victory when suddenly in the seventh, he was stunned by a right hand and his legs shook. Moments later, another right hand dropped Gvozdyk. He beat the count and seconds later, walked into another Titanic right hand which dropped him like an anchor. Gvozdyk struggled to beat the count, but when he did, he staggered badly backwards into the corner post and referee Ray Corona waved it off at 2:47 of the 7th. Kalajdzic improves to 30-3, 22 KOs. For Gvozdyk, this could spell the end as he falls to 21-3, 17 KOs.

Other Bouts

Jalil Hackett and Roberto Cruz, Jr., waged a toe-to-toe war, with Hackett getting the better of the exchanges, despite the earnest effort of Cruz. Cruz was bleeding it really from the nose by the end of round three, in round four. It looked as though Hackett might get his man out of there as he landed a vicious left- right in the closing seconds of the round, but Cruz survived. Hackett was sporting a red mouse under his right eye as he returned to his corner at the end of round 6. Both fighters battled it out, throwing and landing clubbing shots. The full 10 round distance. Hackett appeared to land the harder shots throughout.

The judges scored it as follows:

95-95, 96-94, 97-93, for Hackett by majority decision. He moves to 12-1, 9 KOs, while Cruz falls to 11-2, 7 KOs.

In a lightweight clash, Justin Viloria battled Oscar Perez over eight very hard fought rounds. The shots landed freely and frequently, but Viloria had the slightly higher volume thrown and landed. In the end, the judges saw it as follows: 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 all for Viloria, who improves to 12-0, 8 KOs. Perez loses his first at 14-1-2, 7 KOs. Viloria is the nephew of 2000 Olympian and former four belt champion Brian Viloria.

In a catch weight bout signed for 150 lb,, switch hitting Damoni Cato-Cain took on Christian Morales, scheduled for eight rounds. Cato-Cain kept up the work rate and his predominantly southpaw stance, which seemed have Morales hesitating unable to let his hands go. Morales would have his single punch moments, but seemingly not enough to carry a round. The judges saw it: 80-72, 79-73 and 77-75, all for Cato-Cain, now 9-1-2, 7 KOs. Morales loses his first at 7-1, 7 KOs.

In a six-round cruiserweight contest, Devonte “Boogie Man” Williams took on up-and-coming prospect Jamar “No Mercy” Talley. Williams, who started his career around 150 lbs, carried himself like the smaller man in the squared circle. Jamar was first with the jab, letting the right hand go behind it with frequency, which caught up to the “Boogie Man” quickly as Talley was able to time the right hand well, dodging one in return as Thomas Taylor reached the count of ten at 2:59 of round 2. Talley goes to 6-0, 5 KOs, while Williams falls to 13-4, 6 KOs.

Twenty-one-year-old, 10-0 heavyweight prospect Da’Mazion Vanhouter came out guns blazing against 20-year-old, 7-3 Julian Gomez, dropping him ninety seconds into the opening round. Mixing up his punches well left Gomez constantly guessing wrong defensively.

As the second round started, it was more of the same; the hand speed and skill difference became more apparent the longer they shared the ring. While the bodywork kept Gomez’s hands “at home,” he did manage to create some openings for himself whenever Vanhouter rested on the ropes.

In round three, Vanhouter calmly started throwing punches in combination. Gomez eventually worked his way into the corner, where Vanhouter unloaded a vicious barrage of body shots and uppercuts. Referee Robert Hoyle had seen enough, waving it off at 1:27 of the third round to give Vanhouter the TKO victory. Vanhouter improves to 11-0, 8 KOs while Gomez falls to 7-4, 2 KOs.