Ra’eese Aleem Outworks Tough and Durable Eduardo Baez
At the Park Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ra’eese Aleem squared off against Eduardo Baez in a ten-round junior featherweight contest. When it comes to the top fighters in the division, Aleem is the one who gets the least recognition. But the 31-year-old continues to do nothing but win. He has adequate boxing skills, but his modus operandi is utilizing his physical strength and punching power to bully and overwhelm his opponents.
In his last outing, he scored an eleventh-round stoppage win over previously unbeaten Vic Pasillas. It was a dominant performance in the biggest bout of his career. As a result, Aleem is now ranked first by the WBA at junior featherweight and is on the cusp of a world title shot.
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He faced a solid veteran in Baez. The 26-year-old often likes to attack behind a high guard. He’s neither the fastest nor most powerful fighter you will see in the ring. However, he’s consistent and unbeaten since an April 2017 defeat to Mauricio Lara.
BRINGING THE POWER
Aleem got off to a terrific start in this one. He has one of the hardest jabs in the sport. He used that punch to split the guard of Baez, then followed it up with right-hands and hooks to the head and body.
But one of Aleem’s flaws is because he’s so offensive-minded, he leaves himself open. On occasion, Baez was able to land with counter right-hands and left hooks to the jaw. Because of this back and forth dynamic, there never was a lull in the action.
TOO BIG AND STRONG
The spirited fighting continued during the middle rounds. In spots, Baez managed to do some good work. However, the activity of Aleem was proving the difference. Another factor was the lack of power from Baez. Aleem ate his punches like Pac-Man and kept working. Similarly, the pattern set in the early and middle rounds continued during the later rounds.
Though it seemed that Aleem pretty much had control of the fight throughout, it didn’t play out that way on the scorecards. While his hand was raised in victory, it was only by a narrow majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 98-92). After the fight, the fighter nicknamed “The Beast” said he wants to fight the winner of the junior featherweight contest between WBO world champion Stephen Fulton and WBC champ Brandon Figueroa.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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