Golden Boy on ESPN 2
From San Juan, Puerto Rico Lamont Roach Jr (16-0-1,6KO’s) took on Orlando Cruz (25-6-2,13KO’s) in a 10 round Super Featherweight bout as the main event on the Golden Boy on ESPN 2 card.
Both men started slowly as Roach seemed a little tight but focused to begin, while Cruz was mostly looking to counter. Roach landed a couple of nice straight left hands towards the end of the second round. In between rounds Roach was told to pick up the pace in his corner.
Through 3 rounds the bout was more of a chess match due to the fact that both men are natural counterpunchers. It was a slow pace fight we both men having their moments as at times they seemed to struggle to find their rhythm.
Cruz used his experience going into the second half, slipping punches and landing shots of his own. The fight was being fought at Cruz’s pace. As the fight went on Cruz seemed to step up the pace, as both men traded punches to end round six.
Roach appeared at times to struggle finding his range in what was turning out to be a lackluster fight for the young man. It was a close fight going into the last couple of rounds and both corners showed that urgency going into the ninth.
Roach seemed to drop Cruz but the referee incorrectly called it a push. It was a close fight but Roach seem to have finished the fight strong.
The bout ended in a draw (97-93,96-94,95-95) in what was a lackluster fight with a good ending.
Earlier in the night Jose Lopez (20-2-1,14KO’s) defeated Miguel Angel Gonzalez (22-4,19KO’s) in a 10 round lightweight bout. Lopez was more efficient and precise with his punches and was able to run away with the fight in the second half.
Gonzalez to his credit was game and gave a good effort but was severely outskilled, losing a unanimous decision (97-93,98-91,99-91) in a fairly entertaining bout.
By: Wilson Urena
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