Richard Commey and Jose Pedraza Fight to a Draw!
In their latest prizefight, lightweight boxers Richard “RC” Commey (30-4-1, 27 KO’s) and Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KO’s) met in a must-win battle. The showdown was so crucial because, coming off losses, both men found themselves in professional slumps. Ghanaian boxer Commey was rebounding from a December 2021 defeat at the hands of common opponent Vasiliy Lomachenko. Meanwhile, Sniper was attempting to put his March 4 loss to Jose Carlos Ramirez in his rearview mirror.
Pedraza, 33, a two-division world champion, would love to position himself for another title shot. Yet, as the Puerto Rican encroaches deeper into the second half of his eleven year professional career, this seems more and more dubious. To begin, all of his four losses, to Jose Carlos Ramirez, Jose Zepeda, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis, came when he stepped up in competition. It’s ever more doubtful that he will get over the hump with Father Time breathing down his neck harder than ever.
RC, 35, with an equivalent amount of losses, is in just as precarious a situation as he is 1-2 in his last three outings. Even though he is ranked #8 (WBC) and # 9 (IBF), it’s extremely unlikely that Commey can suffer back-to-back losses at this point in his career minus devastating repercussions.
ANTICLIMATIC FINISH
The bout opened in rather even fashion with both men having their success, although it was Commey who pushed the action. While he ate them well, Pedraza absorbed a couple of left hooks that certainly buzzed Sniper in the second. RC persisted with his aggression in the third and was rewarded for doing so. In the final thirty seconds though, Commey ate a punch that slowed his momentum notably.
Over the fourth and fifth rounds, Pedraza worked his way back in the fight by utilizing great footwork and a consistent body attack. An accidental headbutt left Commey with a cut on the outside of his left eye in the sixth. The match remained fairly even over the next few rounds, yet all that changed in the ninth. During that period, not only was RC eating the most flush power shots of the night, he looked gassed and his cut was leaking and visibly distracting him.
While both competitors fought with a frantic and frisky pace, there was not much notable offense in the final round to speak of. Given the overall close nature of the match, there was real tension heading into the announcement of the judges. Ultimately though, when the scorecards were read, neither man won as they were saddled with split draw to the tune of 97-93 (Pedraza), 96-96 (Commey) and 95-95. This was a bland outcome for the duel. Yet, honestly speaking given the fact a loss would’ve been devastating, this was certainly a happy middle ground for both fighters. Let’s see if they move on or run it back.
By: Bakari Simpson
