Antonio Pitalua vs Cosme Rivera III: Live Results and Round-By-Round Coverage

Tonight’s actually the THIRD fight between the two, not the second. First fought in the dark ages of 1999. Pitalua UD-10. I learned that two months ago and never actually entered it into my brain.

whatever is on telemundo right now, owns. there’s like a 3 hot chicks per minute ratio on this thing

Going live in a moment.

Yes, this wbc tv feed is totally working

Well going right to the fight.

pituala’s hair somehow got worse

Pitalua trying to fire that right off at range, Rivera trying to keep him back with the jab. Both tentative a bit to start, Pitalua the one coming in with more bad intent when he gets close. Little left uppercut from Rivera glances, and a right to the body gets in. Rivera with a right, Pitalua comes back with one that doesn’t get home. Pitalua dipping down to fight even shorter, seems to be giving Rivera some issues when he wants to uncork. uppercut again from Rivera scrapes Pitalua, whose right in return is blocked.

10-10

I’m taking a shot after every round. For kicks.

I’m expecting them to open up more.

Pitalua nearly slips, looks like he was clipped, but that happened fast. No knockdown ruled, probably the right call. Counter right from Rivera gets in. Left to the body. Rivera looking to throw that when Pitalua dips as he approaches. Right from Pitalua, partially blocked. Rivera taking a few more risks this round. Loopy shots, but Pitalua’s not exactly Mayweather either. Pitalua trying to unload a short, hard right hand in close, but can’t find it. Good right from Rivera, and then he slips back out. Pitalua not finding that rocket right. It’s Plan A for sure.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 20-19

I don’t know why it happens some nights, but there are nights where I’m just extra glad to be watching boxing and having so many options in 2011. This is one of those nights.

still tentative from both guys. Rivera really doesn’t want near Pitalua for more than a punch. Rivera throws a cockeyed straight left as he moves around the ring. Rivera sort of on his bike a lot this round, but then he stops and throws, and he’s getting more in than Pitalua at this point.Think the fight might turn up if Pitalua can land a good one and slow Rivera’s legs down.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 30-28

I have it 29-28 Pitalua.

Rivera chopping on him here and there. Pitalua just can’t get much sustained momentum going. I think I’m figuring out I can be a “momentum” fake judge very often. Pitalua’s face getting cut up and swollen. Those weird little rushes in that Rivera makes where he’s half southpaw are bizarre. I still just don’t think Pitalua is getting enough done, but this is another pain in the ass to score.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 40-37

So I am going with it, and my card, such as it is, is even.

Pitalua digging in close, but Rivera gets another goofy left hand in. Pitalua really stalking this round, and starting to cut down the distance better. Ah, there’s a rabbit punch from Pitalua. Rivera trying to keep the jab going, minimal success. This is a round where I think Rivera looked more like he’s staying away than “boxing.” Lands a few near the end, but I go Pitalua this round.

Pitalua 10-9
Rivera 49-47

Fight picking up a bit this round. Rivera being forced to move instead of just walk,a nd he’s landing shots. Rivera warned for holding as Pitalua gets in on him near the ropes. Rivera still aiming for that one big right hand, and just not getting it. This is when it sucks to be a one-dimensional slugger.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 59-56

another close round. Not sure but going with Rivera.

58-56 Rivera.

Fight keeping mostly the same rhythm. Rivera throws about nine punches but misses a lot, and then Pitalua lands the big right, Rivera backs down and he slips. Might have given him a second to get straight there. Rivera more active this round, but Pitalua stalking and landing cleaner when he does land.

Pitalua 10-9
Rivera 68-66

Rivera fighting off his back foot and not looking great but getting in occasionally significant body shots. Giving that one to Pitalua

Rivera landing a right from range this round. Pitalua’s left eye is closing shut. He’s trying, but he’s not quite there.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 78-75

Pitalua lands a good one toward the end, but Rivera fights back hard and steals it back.

77-76 Rivera

87-84 Rivera

Rivera starting to pepper him with quick shots, staying away, not giving Pitalua a lot to work with. This one to Rivera again. Figure he’s well ahead on scores.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 88-84

Telemundo has Rivera up 89-82. Don’t think it’s crazy, honestly. Pitalua hasn’t gotten much done in this fight and he’s gotten busted up.

Pitalua JUST misses a big right, but he’s been just missing it a lot tonight. Rivera has controlled this fight almost the whole way through. Neither landing much this round, but there’s a three-punch combo from Rivera. Pitalua is 41 and looks it tonight. Pitalua lands hard at the end of the round. That one shook Rivera.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 98-93

while Rivera, an awkward counter puncher here, at least puts em together a little

Rivera 98-93

Rivera remains in control. Matt’s right — Pitalua putting nothing together at all. Pitalua still trying to fire that big right hand, but it’s probably a fool’s errand. Even if he lands, Rivera has a very good chin still.

Rivera 108-102

Rivera 97-93.

Rivera moving backward, picking and pecking away. Just landing more, even without landing anything really big. Avoiding Pitalua’s swings really well. Pitalua has 30 seconds for some magic. But it’s Rivera pressing the action late, and he takes the round and the fight.

Rivera 10-9
Rivera 118-111

Gave Rivera that last one.

Rivera by pretty wide. Pitalua looks shot, and his face is a mess.

Thanks for the rbr. nighty night.

Rivera wins by unanimous decision, so they’re 1-1-1. Pitalua shakes hands with the Rivera corner, claps for the winner.

Jake Donovan says scores were 119-109 twice and 117-111.