Daniel Valladares Gets Split Decision Victory Over IBF Champion Rene Cuarto!
It was a hostile atmosphere in Monterrey, Mexico as Rene Mark Cuarto (20-2-2, 11KO) was defeated while making the second defense of the IBF minimumweight title against Daniel “Cejitas” Valladares (26-3-1, 15KO).
Cuarto had a rough stretch in 2019 in which he lost to Samuel Silva and drew against Jayson Vayson. Following that, he rebounded in February 2021 with a unanimous decision win over Pedro Taduran to capture the IBF belt. That was followed by a questionable rematch win over Taduran in February 2022.
He faced a Valladares who was fighting on home soil. For the challenger, it was his second world title attempt. His first title shot ironically was against Taduran in February 2020.
IT GOT UGLY EARLY
When the fighters were not holding and clinching, they threw some leather. Valladares was extremely effective with his counterpunches, landing the left hook followed by a straight right-hand combination. He fought like a man possessed in front of the hometown crowd. He went on the attack and was landing the overhand right at will.
The champion started going to the body, hoping to slow down the more energetic challenger. He started finding a home for the counter left hook. In round three, as both fighters were pressing forward, Cuarto’s head caused a cut above Valladares’ left eye.
As the fight went on, the Mexican challenger keeping the fight at mid-range became the story of the fight. Valladares was laser-focused, landing sharp counter left hooks, taking advantage of the champion’s head on the centerline. He also found a home for the right uppercut, catching the following Cuarto off guard.
THE CHALLENGER CLOSES THE SHOW STRONG
Towards the end of the fight, the champion would come roaring back landing a good right-hand left hook combination that briefly stunned Valladares. Cuarto continued to dig to the body and caught a relaxed Valladares with a counter left hooks. Yet, the Mexican challenger regained control by using the jab, keeping the fight at mid-range, and continuing to land more crowd-pleasing counters.
In round ten, as both fighters were trading shots, it was Cuarto that was deducted a point by the referee for dirty tactics. This put even more pressure on the champion as Valladares boxed beautifully down the stretch by maintaining distance and landed an eye-catching left hook that momentarily had the champion in retreat mode.
When the final bell sounded, the crowd erupted after hearing Valladares had been crowned the new IBF minimumweight champion via split decision.
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By: Garrisson Bland
