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02/25/2007 Archived Entry: "Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. Steals Show in Miami!"
Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. Steals Show in Miami!
By Laz Izada at ringside
Photos by Dalia Duran
Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. (left) bounces a left hook off the head of ducking Daniel Lornezano
MIAMI—THAT’S right fight fans, the son of Puerto Rican ring legend Wilfredo Vazquez made his first appearance in Miami last night. You as a boxing fan had to be there to see it. Vazquez Jr. (2-0, 1KO) from Bayamon, Puerto Rico with only one pro fight and two amateur fights behind him was taking on Daniel Lornezano (1-1) from Miami in a 4 round Featherweight bout. Vazquez Jr. only 22 years old, weighed in at 126 lbs for the bout.
From the opening bell fight fans were in for a special treat. Vazquez Jr. displayed his very exciting and unique, young and skilled boxing style. What impressed the most was his punching quickness, and power. He would crouch and would wind up in good fashion, strong rights, right uppercuts and left hooks that landed effectively throughout the four rounder. He was also able to take a punch and come back from it. At the start of the third round a game Lornezano was dropped to the canvass by a strong left hook to the head. At the end of the four rounder, judges rendered the bout a unanimous decision with scores of 39-36 twice and 40-35 for Vazquez Jr.
A few minutes later upon my request Vazquez displayed class by coming out to the press table and spending a good 15-20 minutes with all reporters until all questions for him were answered and pictures were taken, and autographs signed for the fans. Vazquez mentioned that he was happy to go the distance, and that Lornezano put up a good fight. He attributed his victory to his strong right uppercuts. He also said that he loves training and does it six days week. He was excited about fighting in Miami and looks like he will develop a strong following here in Miami as in Kissimmee, Florida which he made his debut December 8th of last year.
Kissimmee has a strong Puerto Rican community that supports him. Look for all fight fans throughout the state to support him, he just has that style and instincts of a winner and a potential champion, in the future, once he gains more experience. His next bout will be March 23, in Kissimmee. Another Telemundo TV event that will be promoted by his promoter Tuto Zabala, Jr. of All Star Boxing, Inc.'s “ The New Generation.”
The last time Miami fight fans saw such an amazing young talent was in April of 2005 when Joel Julio made his first appearance here at the Miccosuke Resort and Gaming. All I can say is stay tuned and follow this kid. He is special.
Oh yes, and not to mention it, there was a hard hitting exciting main event. Cecilio “Boga" Santos (22-7-2, 11 KO’s) from Mexico won a unanimous decision over Luis “Surtigas” Melendez ( 20-2-1, 18 KO’s) from Colombia, which was making his debut in the states. The fight was stopped in the 11th round due to an accidental head butt to Santo’s already opened forehead. The judges had it 107-102 twice and 108-101,for Santo’s. Santo’s successfully defended his WBO Latin Jr. Bantamweight Title.
There were several boxers on hand catching the action, most notably, Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga(28-6-1). I was briefly able to talk to him about his light middleweight bout taking place May 5th at a site yet to be determined against Fernando Vargas (26-4-0). He said that he was going “to kill Vargas," and that his career depended on it.
That fight should be a slugfest. Mayorga is only 33 years old and I feel he still has gas in the tank. To boxing fans that believe Mayorga is not that friendly, you just had to see him Friday night. He was there with no entourage, just talking and mingling with all fans in a joyful mood.
A triumphant Vazquez, Jr. poses for the camera
Look for boxing action to return in April to the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming convention center with Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in action among the yet to be determined card.
