“The Kid” Gutierrez claims control of rivalry with Rene Alvarado
Back on July 14, 2017, when they first met, Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (32-10, 21 KO’s) stopped current regular WBA super featherweight champion Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez (26-3-1, 20 KO’s) in the seventh. When they fought again nearly four years later, Gutierrez, 26, narrowly outpointed Alvarado in an exciting and competitive rematch. Not only did The Kid get some payback, he also snatched away Gemelo’s WBA 130-pound strap.
Now, in their trilogy bout, Gutierrez commandeers control of their rivalry. He assumed this control by claiming a unanimous decision win over the Nicaraguan. Ironically, Alvarado, 32, lost his title in his first defense to Gutierrez and now The Kid has defeated Alvarado in his first title defense. The win effectively extends The Kid’s six-fight, three-yearlong win streak. Now, armed with the secondary title, Roger Gutierrez will likely begin an active pursuit of the full world champions.
FIZZLE OF A FINALE
For the better part of it, the bout began in tame and respectful fashion. For the greater bulk of the first round, they each attempted to find their range. During the final 45 seconds however, both landed solid shots that teased of greater action to come. In the second, Alvarado slightly took command behind a low lancing jab.
The Kid was competing in an oddly passive fashion until the closing moments of the fourth. That was when he landed a number of short, clubbing right-hands. Sadly, Gutierrez couldn’t maintain the momentum and the fifth was dominated by Alvarado’s jab. The Kid did land another big right as the round came to a close but the Nicaraguan ate it without issue.
As the fight wore on however, the competition grew increasingly thin. Alvarado was coming forward and boasted the greater volume of punches. Yet none of his punches seemed to slow Gutierrez in the slightest. When he landed flush, The Kid clearly had the heaviest hands in the ring. Despite the thump in his knuckles though, Alvarado was also eating the blows with no real ill effect. While both landed occasional big punches here and there, there was no quality action being sustained.
JUST READ THE CARDS
Regrettably there was not a final flash of glory in the final rounds. The fight merely petered out in the same cruise control fashion that it began and persisted with. Despite the lack of true drama during the fight, there was some tension going to the cards given there was no surefire victor. Nevertheless, the cards revealed that Roger Gutierrez had retained his title and took control of this rivalry.
By: Bakari Simpson
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