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08/26/2006 Archived Entry: "A Matter of Inches & Seconds: Jose Hernandez and Luciano Perez win Tough Decisions!"
A Matter of Inches & Seconds: Jose Hernandez and Luciano Perez win Tough Decisions!
By Juan C. Ayllon at ringside
Photos by Kelli
Hernandez (left) keeps an eye on De Victoria's left as they mix it up along the ropes
CHICAGO, August 25, 2006 – In boxing, fractions of an inch and precious seconds can make all the difference in the world. Just ask fighters Jose Hernandez and Francisco Rincon.
Sporting an improved defense, courtesy of JABB Boxing Gym’s Mike Garcia, Hernandez (20-3, 13 KO’s) repeatedly blocked or slipped deadly counters—sometimes by fractions of an inch—while outworking grizzled Philadelphian Lenny De Victoria (8-4 and 2 KO’s) for a unanimous decision victory over eight rounds.
Hernandez (left) blocks De Victoria's right in a heavy exchange
Rocked in the second and the fourth rounds, Hernandez mixed his punches well, repeatedly dug vicious blows to the body—which De Victoria didn’t like—and bounced hard rights and lefts off DeVictoria’s head throughout.
For his part, De Victoria often jabbed, circled and crouched, trying to get Hernandez to walk into heavy rights and occasional lefts. Dangerous throughout, he simply did not land enough to overcome Hernandez’ superior work rate.
Hernandez said afterwards, “I feel really good. My punches were getting off. It was a little close. I know I should have punched a little more, but he was hard to hit. We didn’t expect it. Every time we seen him on the tape, he opened up. Not with me. He was very tight on his defense. Next time, we’re going to work for more openings, and that’s something we’ve gotta to work with Mike Garcia and Sam Colonna.”
Asked if he’d been hurt in the fight, Hernandez said, “Yes. He caught me with two shots, I remember. I think it was in the second and the fourth. But, he was a one-punch guy. He threw one punch or two, and I put more punches in there throughout the fight.”
“We’ve got to keep learning. We hope to fight two more times in Chicago and then hit the top contenders in the world.”
Rincon (left) absorbs a frightful beating in the corner from Perez
For Francisco Rincon, precious seconds—or should I say about a minute and a half—may have saved him from being knocked out by Luciano Perez, as it took about that long for his corner to readjust his protector after the bell had rung for the 7th round. No doubt this helped clear his head. Rincon suffered a frightful battering in the final 45 seconds of the previous round, where it appeared that only the ropes, guile and reptilian instinct kept Rincon upright. Of course, this timely wardrobe malfunction may have been expedited by the occasional low blow by Perez, who was penalized one point for such infractions in the third round. After assisting with the necessary readjustments, Referee Tim Adams re-started round seven.
It was a savage bout, the kind that fans have come to expect from Perez. In the taller Rincon, he found a terrific opponent who exploited Perez’ wide-open approach with potent jabs, hooks and crosses. Both fighters were rocked several times.
Perez and Rincon exchange blows furiously in close
His right eye swelling from the fourth round on, Perez took the fight to Rincon like the charging bull that he is. Sometimes using a double power jab, others eschewing the jab altogether and leaping in behind looping left hooks or lead rights, Perez repeatedly pressed the action, which may have spelled the difference in this fight.
Although Rincon repeatedly snapped Perez’ head back with rights, hooks and the occasional left jab, in the end, he could not match Perez’ Herculean efforts.
The scores were 76-75 for Rincon and 76-75 twice for Perez, giving Luciano a split decision victory over eight rounds. With this win, Perez, 145.5 lbs., advances to 14-4-1 with 12 knockouts, while Rincon, 144 lbs., now stands at 11-4 with 6 knockouts.
Mohammad (left) and Zepeda mix it up
Popular Chicago super featherweight Barbaro Zepeda (126.5 lbs., 6-7-1 and 1 KO) gave a solid effort, but came up short against taller Yamin Mohammad (125 lbs., 4-14-1, 3 KO’s), who used his height and reach to advantage, jabbing and banging with heavy rights and uppercuts when Zepeda came in. After eight rounds, the scores were 70-73 all for a unanimous decision victory for Mohammad.
Oak Lawn heavyweight Mike Mollo (229 lbs., 15-1, 9 KO’s) made quick work of Willie James Walker (305 lbs, 6-3-0, 5 KO’s), knocking him out in the first round. Walker began aggressively, swarming Mollo to the ropes and landing a ponderous right to the head. However, Mollo slugged back, reset, and bounced a looping left hook to Walker’s head, dropping him flat on his back. Walker was counted out 25 seconds into round one with his head resting on the lowest rope.
Mollo said, “I saw everything in front of me. It was there for me to see. He was wide open. Everything we practiced in training worked out really well.”
A victorious Mike Mollo at ringside
Popular returning female boxer Rita “La Guerra” Figueroa (135 lbs., 8-0, 3 KO’s) soaked up some heavy leather early, and returned in kind—and then some—as she overcome the swarming tactics of Leora Jackson (135.5 lbs., 2-8) with superior boxing and conditioning. Figueroa dominated in the latter portions of the testy eight rounder.
Rita Figueroa said afterwards, “She was a tough girl. I haven’t fought in a couple months, so it was good to get back in there. But, she was tough. I give her credit. She didn’t win, though!”
Rounding out the card, Achour Esho (142 lbs., 1-0, 1 KO) used a more polished repertoire of crisp punches, work rate and movement in scoring a solid unanimous decision win over rugged Willie Diamond (142.5 lbs., 3-4, 1 KO) in a briskly fought battle, garnering scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice for a unanimous decision victory.
Figueroa (left) and Jackson slug it out in a corner
WBC Interim Lightweight Title holder David Diaz was honored at this night’s event, and was handed his lovely green and gold belt by his manager, Jim Strickland. It was a touching moment, as Diaz’ father, Anselmo Diaz, stood by his side.
Rumor had it that Tanya Diaz—Diaz’ wife—orchestrated the presentation of the belt with the help of 8 Count Productions promoter, Dominic Pesoli, all the while keeping it a secret from her husband. This was no easy task, as emails and other communiqués regarding the matter had to be covered up with David standing nearby. As with 8 Count’s event, pulling it off successfully came down to fractions of inches and precious, precious seconds.
Mollo (right) flattens Walker with a booming left hook!
Rita Figueroa (right) resets, as she begins to pick apart Jackson
From left to right in front: Anselmo Diaz, David Diaz, Referee Tim Adams, and
Jim Strickland. In the background in blue is promoter Dominic Pesoli
Cyber Boxing Zone Female Boxing Champ Rita Figueroa and her mother pose
for the camera, while her daughter (left) looks on
Luciano Perez & his crew following his victory
