Esquiva Falcao Gets an Unsatisfying Win Over Patrice Volny
A key battle happened at the Mandalay Bay Resorts & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, as undefeated top middleweight contenders as Esquiva Falcao (29-0, 20 KOs) traded leather with Patrice Volny (16-1, 10 KOs) in an IBF world title eliminator. A possible world title opportunity down the road was on the line for the winner.
Falcao is ranked #3 (WBO), #4 (IBF), and #8 (WBC). The former 2012 Olympic gold medalist is a skillful southpaw who likes to overwhelm his opponents with volume-punching. His signature punch is the left hook to the body, which he likes to throw when finishing his combinations.
Volny was initially to fight #3 IBF ranked fighter Patrick Wojcicki in Germany back in 2020. Unfortunately, the fight got canceled due to the shutdown in Germany due to concerns about COVID-19. The 32-year-old is ranked #9 (WBO) and #5 (IBF). As an aside, this is Volny’s first fight outside of his home country of Canada.
PRESSING THE ACTION
Falcao was the shorter fighter, so he began the action pressing forward behind the southpaw right jab in hopes of closing the gap. In the biggest bout of his career, Volny seemed hesitant and a half a step behind with his shots early.
A DISAPPOINTING ENDING
But as he seemed to warm up, the Canadian fought with more confidence and began to open up. One of Falcao’s main flaws is that he tends to fight at one speed. It can make him rather predictable in the ring. Volny began to adjust and get off with combinations to the head and body.
Late in the sixth, a clash of heads produced an ugly gash over Falcao’s left eye. He turned away in obvious pain. The cut was too severe for the fight to continue. As a result, it went to the scorecards. The judges scored the contest in Falcao’s favor by split decision (58-57, 56-58, 58-56). It was a disappointing conclusion to a contest that was starting to perk up. The hope is that these two men can fight a rematch at some point in 2022.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
