Cordina And Cissokho Remains Undefeated As Curiel Is The New Champion
IBF junior lightweight champion Joe “The Wizard” Cordina (17-0, 9KO) retained the title in a tough contest against Edward Vazquez (15-2, 3KO).
It was fireworks from the opening bell as they fought in a phone booth. Vasquez kept the pressure on hitting the champion with uppercuts and counter right hands.
Cordina attacked the body with brutal hooks before using the angles to get out of the way of any return fire. He quickly changed the tone of the fight by boxing at mid-range landing three and four-punch combinations.
Vazquez came storming back in the middle rounds by landing the right hand, taking advantage of Cordina looking to rest on the ropes.
It was a close fight as they traded hard shots in the championship rounds. Vazquez couldn’t miss with the left hook while continuing to apply pressure on The Wizard. Cordina fought in spots and landed the more eye-catching shots.
In the end, one judge scored it a draw, with the other two seeing it 116-112 for Cordina. 3kingsboxing had it a draw. With a successful title defense, it’s time to entertain a unification against WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster.
ADRIAN CURIEL SCORES A SHOCKING KNOCKOUT OVER SIVENATHI NONTSHINGA
The light flyweight division has a new champion as Adrian Curiel (24-4-1, 5KO) captured the IBF title after a stunning upset over Sivenathi “The Special One” Nontshinga (12-1, 9KO).
In his first fight outside his country of Mexico, Curiel was not fazed and immediately started stalking the South African. Despite getting outboxed early, it was clear he was looking to land the right hand over Nontshinga’s low left jab.
In the second round, the Mexican’s patience paid off as he landed a thunderous looping right hand that sent the now-former champion crashing to the canvas.
The referee went to administer a ten-count but waved off the fight as Nontshinga made the mistake of spitting out the mouthpiece while on the canvas.
Curiel’s shocking knockout stoppage confused everyone considering the lack of power. In the post-fight interview, he stated this was due to fighting in the wrong division.
The newly crowned champion’s life is about to change, as Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is already looking at multiple financial options.
SOULEYMANE CISSOKHO REMAINS FLAWLESS AGAINST ISAIAS LUCERO
WBC silver welterweight titlist Souleymane Cissokho (17-0, 9KO) picked up a victory with a solid performance over Isaias Lucero (16-2, 10KO).
The fight started with Cissokho boxing nicely behind the jab and changing the levels of attack from body to head. In round two, he landed a picture-perfect pull counter right hand that dropped Lucero to the canvas.
Although his opponent survived the round, the WBC silver titlist continued to hammer away with right hands and hooks to the body.
As the fight continued, Lucero’s adjustment in the middle rounds saw him find a home for right hands that put the Frenchman in defense mode momentarily.
Down the stretch, Cissokho fought beautifully behind the jab, causing a cut over the Mexican’s right eye. He did a good job fighting off the back foot while targeting the cut with different variations of the right hand.
Two judges scored it 118-109, and one saw it 117-110 in favor of Cissokho. It’s time to step it up, as he should target someone within the top ten next.
