Cortes v Salinas
On the undercard of ESPN’s Zepeda vs Castaneda telecast, lightweight boxer Andres Cortes (13-0, 7 KO’s) kept his win streak alive by claiming a unanimous decision win over Alejandro “Popo” Salinas (10-4, 9 KO’s).
Right from very first round, both boxers chose to forego the feel out process and go straight for one another. While they were not fighting with complete reckless abandon, there was no feel out process. The first two rounds were frenetic affairs that saw many razor-close phone booth exchanges. Many of these tussles could have gone either way.
In the early goings, Cortes seemed to get the better of the action when he used his feet and jab. However, he established a very consistent habit of always ending up fighting off the ropes. The second round also signaled the first instance of true adversity for Cortes when an accidental head-butt opened a nasty cut over his left eye.
Over the next two rounds, undefeated boxer was able to stabilize the action in his favor and his cut man made his deep gash a non-factor. The fight appeared to be officially swinging into his complete favor until, while fighting in-advisably off the ropes, Popo caught him with a stiff right that forced an eight-count.
Obviously, the punched that dropped him simultaneously learned him better! From the fifth round on, the Nevada native remained distinctly more disciplined about keeping his back off the ropes. When fighting in the middle of the ring, Cortes was clearly in control. Yet, he still ate a fair amount of leather.
There was another brief scare in the seventh round when another accidental head-butt worsened the already damaged left eye. The bout was quickly halted for the doctor to examine the wound, but they were just as swiftly permitted to resume the action. Just like the first time, Cortes’s corner was able to take the cut out of the fight.
Having made it successfully to the cards, Cortes won a well-earned and hard fought unanimous decision.
By: Bakari Simpson
