Regardless of gross swelling round his proper eye Emmanuel Rodriguez dominated Melvin Lopez to a unanimous choice victory. Picture by Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Emmanuel Rodriguez grew to become a two-time IBF bantamweight champion Saturday evening, securing a unanimous choice over Melvin Lopez in headlining motion reside on Showtime from The Theater at MGM Nationwide Harbor in Maryland in an occasion introduced by Premier Boxing Champions.
Rodriguez (22-2, 13 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3-rated bantamweight, sustained swelling over his proper eye within the second spherical of the 12-round battle, and though the attention ballooned because the combat wore on, he outclassed his opponent to the tune of 120-105 scores in his favor from all three judges.
“That is the results of six months of exhausting work in Mexico,” stated Rodriguez, who’s from Puerto Rico. “This wouldn’t have been attainable with out my complete staff. I used to be in a position to turn into a champion as soon as once more 5 years later due to them. Let’s go Latin America, let’s go Puerto Rico, and let’s go Mexico!
“I remained calm regardless of the headbutt that triggered my eye to swell up within the second spherical. It saved getting extra swollen, however my staff did an impressive job preserving it at bay. I by no means had an issue with my eyesight all through the combat.”
Rodriguez put an exclamation level on the victory by flattening Lopez (29-2, 19 KOs) thrice within the last spherical, attacking him with a flurry of punches that put Lopez on the ropes.
Rodriguez is on the assault in opposition to Lopez. Picture by Amanda Westcott / Showtime
“We labored on being highly effective and purposeful with our energy punches, in addition to exhibiting off our abilities,” Rodriguez stated.
“I need Santiago subsequent. He says that he doesn’t assume anyone can beat him at 118 kilos, however I’m right here to show him improper.”
Lopez stated he appreciated the chance to sq. off with Rodriguez, and thought he had an opportunity late within the combat to emerge victorious.
“I believed that Rodriguez was going to expire of fuel, as a result of I used to be hitting him, however the ref was annoying and saved getting in the way in which saying I used to be touchdown low blows,” he stated.
“The final spherical pissed me off. I felt I used to be strong till then. I used to be prepared to die contained in the ring with a view to get a win, however I got here up brief.”
Within the co-main occasion, Capitol Heights, Maryland native Gary Antuanne Russell (17-0, 17 KOs) made fast work of beforehand undefeated Kent Cruz (16-1-3, 10 KOs), securing his eighth profession first-round knockout by sending Cruz to the canvas two minutes and 39 seconds into the tremendous light-weight bout. Russell, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, first knocked down Cruz with a left uppercut to the chin, then ended the combat with a dizzying physique blow.
Gary Antuanne Russell takes it to Kent Cruz. Picture by Amanda Westcott / Showtime
“That is clearly good,” Russell, The Ring’s No. 8-rated junior welterweight, stated. “I noticed the opening and I took it, and I used to be attempting to stay disciplined defensively on the identical time. Greater than something, I used to be attempting to verify I might finish it within the first spherical.
“I wasn’t capturing for the knockout streak, however that’s simply what occurred throughout a minute and a half price of labor tonight. If the chance is there, why not take it?”
Kicking off the telecast, Gabriel Maestre (6-0-1, 5 KOs) got here out blazing and knocked down beforehand undefeated Capitol Heights, Maryland native Travon Marshall (8-1, 7 KOs) twice en path to securing a second-round TKO. A two-time Olympian, “El Capitan” used a vicious mixture to ship Marshall via the ropes on the 2:06 mark of the second spherical within the one-sided welterweight bout.
Gabriel Maestre blasts Travon Marshall with a proper. Picture by Amanda Westcott / Showtime
“I didn’t anticipate this knockout,” Maestre stated. “I wish to thank my staff for serving to me put together for this combat. This victory is for Venezuela. We practiced that proper hand that hit Travon. I hope that he recovers rapidly.
“I used to be truthfully shocked I knocked Marshall out so rapidly. He’s a tricky, younger fighter.
“I noticed that Marshall regarded somewhat inhibited and didn’t wish to trade punches with me from the opening bell. Then my proper hand ended it.”
Previous to the telecast, the Showtime Boxing Countdown streamed reside on the Showtime Sports activities YouTube channel and Boxing Fb web page and was topped by bantamweight Michael Angeletti (9-0) remaining undefeated with a unanimous choice over Jonathan Lopez (8-1-2), 79-73, 79-73 and 80-72.
GET THE LATEST ISSUE AT
THE RING SHOP (CLICK HERE)
The duvet of the June-July 2023 Summer season Particular was painted by Richard Slone.
