Diaz and Pedraza pick up victories as well
From the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City lightweight Felix Verdejo (23-1,15KO’s) made his return to the ring,against Antonio Lozada Jr. (39-2,32KO’s) in a 10 round bout. Lozada Jr. pulled a huge upset stopping Verdejo by way of TKO in the final round.
Verdejo started strong using his movement and putting in good body work in the first round. In the second round Verdejo was finding a home for his right hand, picking up the pace as Lozada Jr. kept coming forward walking through bombs.
Verdejo kept using his movement going in and out landing some big shots but Lozada Jr kept coming trying to pick up the pace. Lozada came on in the fourth round having his moments by putting more pressure on Verdejo who seemed to be slowing down.
In the fifth round Lozada Jr landed a big right hand that hurt Verdejo but it was towards the end of the round. Verdejo came back in the next round landing some combinations but seemed to be tiring as Lozada Jr stepped up the pressure. Lozada was coming straight forward chasing Verdejo around the ring in the eight, while Verdejo used his movement landing some big combinations.
Lozada Jr kept coming landing some big shots that kept Verdejo going back in the last two rounds of the bout. Lozada Jr kept catching Verdejo going straight back and finally knocked him down in the final round. Verdejo would beat the count but shortly after that the doctor and the referee stopped the bout. Verdejo suffered his first loss while Lozada Jr scored the biggest victory of his career.
Earlier in the night unbeaten WBO #3 super featherweight Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (23-0, 14 KOs) was victorious when Braulio Rodriguez (19-3, 17 KOs) suffered an apparent shoulder injury in round four and couldn’t continue. Time was :28.
Former 130lb world champion now fighting at lightweight Jose Pedraza (23-1, 12 KOs) scored a one-sided eight round unanimous decision over Jose Luis Rodriguez (26-12-1, 14 KOs). Judges had it 80-72 across the board.
By: Wilson Urena
