Thrilling Flyweight Showdown
In a thrilling flyweight showdown in Orlando, Puerto Rican Olympian Yankiel “El Doctorcito” Rivera fought to a majority draw against Venezuela’s Angelino “Huracan” Cordova. Rivera, boasting a record of 7-0-1 with 3 KOs, managed to knock down Cordova in the fourth round, providing a brief moment of hope for his supporters.
Despite Rivera’s early advantage, Cordova, with an unbeaten record of 19-0-2 and 12 KOs to his name, continued to push forward with a gritty and awkward fighting style. A significant turning point came in the sixth round when Cordova was penalized for hitting Rivera in the back of the head, a deduction that markedly impacted the final scorecards. Ultimately, the judges scored the bout 115-111 in favor of Cordova, while two others saw it even at 113-113.
Co-Main Event Highlights
In a high-stakes co-main event, Abass Baraou, a rising star from Germany, secured the interim WBA super welterweight title by outclassing Yoenis Tellez in a comprehensive victory. Baraou’s work rate was relentless throughout the match, culminating in a knockdown in the final moments that propelled him to victory, with judges scoring it 116-111, 115-112, and 117-110.
Women’s Boxing Showcase
Meanwhile, WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han, who remains undefeated at 11-0 with 3 KOs, faced an early scare after being knocked down in the first round by Paulina Angel. However, Han showcased her resilience and tactical acumen, storming back to achieve a unanimous decision with all scorecards reading 98-91 in her favor.
Notable Contender Performances
Canada’s promising contender, “Prince” Lucas Bahdi, maintained his perfect record at 20-0 by winning a points decision against the seasoned former world champion Roger Gutierrez. Bahdi’s impressive sixth-round knockdown set the tone for the fight, and he exhibited maturity as he navigated the remaining rounds, earning scores of 117-110, 116-111, and 115-112.
In the light heavyweight division, Ariel Perez also kept his undefeated status intact, taking a unanimous decision over Chris Avila after six rounds, with scores reflecting a close contest at 58-56 twice and 59-55.
Title Defenses and Undercard Action
WBA super flyweight champion Jasmine “Animal” Artiga easily defended her title, decimating Linn Sandstrom in a mere three rounds, finishing the bout explosively at 1:01 of the third round. Additionally, world-ranked super lightweight Jamaine Ortiz secured a swift third-round stoppage against Ambiorix Bautista. In undercard action, rising flyweight Nat “No Love” Dove achieved a stoppage against Randee Lynn Morales in five rounds, while newcomer Jocelyn Camarillo debuted successfully with a unanimous decision win over Agustina Vazquez.
Expert Commentary
Phil Jay, with over 15 years in boxing journalism, continues to lead as the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News, providing in-depth coverage and insights from the heart of the boxing world.
