Vincente Escobedo kept himself in the title picture with a unanimous decision win over veteran contender Rocky Juarez Friday Night. The two former title challengers squared off in a ten round Jr. Lightweight bout on the Golden Boy Telefutura card from Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
Escobedo, who was the more effective boxer, took the unanimous decision by scores of 98-91, 97-92, and 96-93 (the Boxing Tribune scored it 96-93 for Escobedo). The fight was closer than some of the scores indicate but Escobedo did enough in the majority of the rounds to be given the nod.
After a feeling out session in the first round Escobedo began to take control of the fight using his jab and reach. Escobedo who had a five inch height advantage and four inches in reach over Juarez used his length to keep the feisty Juarez at bay. Rocky was the aggressor moving forward but Escobedo was effective countering while moving backward.
Escobedo got a flash knockdown in the third round off a jab where Juarez was caught off balance and sent to the canvas. The first five rounds were close but in each round it appeared Escobedo did a little more to take the points.
Juarez who is a notorious slow starter did not get himself into the fight until the sixth round. He began pressuring more and fighting on the inside where he could be more effective against his taller opponent. At the very end of round six Juarez landed a hard left hook that left Escobedo stunned and wobbling but the bell rang before Juarez got a chance to follow up. Escobedo was lucky the round ended as he was hurt and had to be directed to his corner by the referee.
Escobedo was still shaky for the start of round seven but Juarez could not capitalize and by the end of the round Escobedo had his legs back. Rounds eight and nine were close as Juarez tried to land a big shot and Escobedo countered. Round ten was the best round of the fight with both men letting their hands go. Juarez was looking for the late knockout but Escobedo was game to trade and landed his share of punches.
With the win, Escobedo, who has lost his two title opportunities to Michael Katsidis and Robert Guerrero keeps himself relevant in the title picture. Both of Escobedo’s title chances were in the lightweight division but he is now fighting at Jr. Lightweight where he seems better suited with his height and long reach. Juarez who was a 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist loses his fifth in a row. Juarez who had such promise when he turned pro has not been able to live up to the lofty expectations.
Adolfo Landeros 20-21-2 (10 KO) and Adam Carrera 19-4 (8 KO) opened the broadcast with an action packed phone booth scrap. Round two was as good as it gets. Carrera dropped Landeros, who looked finished but got to his feet. Carrera went in for the kill only to get buzzed and nearly dropped himself. Carrera would then fight back to take back control of the round but both men landed a ton of heavy leather.
Carrera dropped his man again in the third with a huge left uppercut and took control of the fight consistently backing Landeros to the ropes to deal out punishment. Carrera continued getting the better of the heated action to earn a unanimous decision by scores of 58-53, 58-53, and 57-54.
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