Yamileth Mercado Defends The WBC Title After A Slow Start
WBC super bantamweight champion Yamileth “Yeimi” Mercado (17-2, 5KOs) made the second defense of her title against undefeated Angelica “Mucuishie Sexymo” Rascon (10-0, 2KOs) in her backyard of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Rascon, a 29-year old fighter from El Paso, Texas has an opportunity of a lifetime to fight for the title. Never mind the fact this is her first time fighting for a belt of any kind. “Mucuishie Sexymo” was looking to go all out in hopes of capturing her first world championship. She is a pit-bull that will stay in your chest with constant pressure to land the overhand right.
Mercado has been riding the high waves after winning the 2018 rematch by defeating then WBC champion Fatuma Zarika in June 2019. The 23-year old Mexican champion is a good boxer with respectable power. However, she will occasionally fight in a phone booth instead of using her boxing skills.
THE CHALLENGER MADE IT A DOG FIGHT
Before the fight got underway, fans in attendance and watching at home received a rare treat as living legend Jackie “La Princesa Azteca” Nava was on commentary!
Rascon got right up in the grill of the WBC champion in the early rounds landing that overhand right. She used that pressure style to perfection by going to the body whenever the champion was against the ropes.
“Yeimi” was having a hard time getting out of the way of the overhand right. This was due to the fact she stayed on the centerline without any head movement, trying to fight back instead of using her footwork.
THE CHAMP FINALLY FIGHTING SMART
As the fight continued, the champion finally elected to use her boxing ability and was able to get control of the fight with the jab, counter right and left hook upstairs. She even hurt the undefeated challenger with a hard left hook to the body.
The fight would get a little ugly as both fighters were charging in headfirst resulting in a clash of heads. Rascon got the worse of it with a cut above and below the right eye. The referee gave both fighters several warnings for leaning down on the head, before ultimately taking a point deduction away from Rascon in round six followed by Mercado in round nine.
In the closing moments of the fight, the challenger landed the overhand right a few times. However, the champion continued to use her footwork, creating angles and landing the counter left hook while avoiding the wild looping shots of the challenger.
As the final bell sounded, the fans showed their appreciation as cheers filled the arena. The judges scorecards read 98-90, 97-91, and 96-92 in favor of Mercado. 3kingsboxing.com also had 96-92 for the champion.
With this win, Mercado successfully makes the second defense of the WBC title. Undefeated WBO super bantamweight champion Dina Thorslund tasted victory again on the same weekend albeit for the same title at bantamweight. However, if she decides to stay in the super bantamweight division, a unification with Mercado would be a good one!
By: Garrisson Bland
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