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Tonight at 9 pm ET on ESPN, Vasiliy Lomachenko returns to headline in a lightweight unification bout against Jose Pedraza, the main event of a tripleheader from Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.
Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KO) will be defending his WBA “super world” lightweight title, while Pedraza (25-1, 12 KO) is putting up his WBO belt. Lomachenko is the favorite, but he did struggle some in his lightweight debut against Jorge Linares, before putting Linares down and out in the 10th round. Lomachenko is also coming off of shoulder surgery, and Pedraza is a good enough fighter to exploit any weakness in Lomachenko, so it should be a solid main event at worst, and if nothing else, it’s always a treat to see Loma in action.
In the co-feature, Isaac Dogboe (20-0, 14 KO) will defend his WBO super bantamweight title against Emanuel Navarrete (25-1, 22 KO). Dogboe has been one of boxing’s breakout stars in 2018, stopping Cesar Juarez, Jessie Magdaleno, and Hidenori Otake in a trio of great performances this year, and he’s looking to end his year strong.
Also in action will be lightweight prospect Teofimo Lopez (10-0, 8 KO), who takes on Mason Menard (34-3, 24 KO) in a 10-round bout.
Wil Esco will be on the call tonight. Join us!
RESULTS
- VASYL LOMACHENKO def. JOSE PEDRAZA by UD (119-107, 117-109, 117-109)
- EMANUEL NAVARRETE def. ISAAC DOGBOE by UD (115-113, 116-112, 116-112)
- TEOFIMO LOPEZ def. MASON MENARD by KO (0:44 of Round 1)
ROUND-BY-ROUND
VASYL LOMACHENKO vs JOSE PEDRAZA
Round 1: Pedraza comes out stalking, pressing forward, flicking jabs, and trying to back Loma up. Pedraza feints and throws a jab that partially lands. Loma taking a reserved approach in the opening round, simply taking Pedraza’s measure. Right hand lead lands for Pedraza. Loma throws a left to the body but it falls short. Counter left hand lands clean for Loma, then a left to the body. Now Loma lands a jab. The clean left hand was the best punch of the round, enough to win it on my card. Lomachenko 10-9.
Round 2: Pedraza leads with a right hand that misses. Pedraza comes forward again and looks for another right hand that gets blocked. Now Pedraza misses on a left hook targeting the head. Loma comes up short on another left hand to the body, but Pedraza lands his right hand downstairs. Another counter left from Loma just misses. Left hand lands this time for Loma. Neither fighter has landed many punches of note. Loma touches Pedraza with a short left hand upstairs. I think Loma just edges it again. Lomachenko 10-9, 20-18.
Round 3: Now Loma is looking to come forward a little more and Pedraza tries to meet him coming in with a couple of punches. Pedraza leads with a right hand that misses and then moves off center so Loma can’t return fire. Two hooks make solid contact for Pedraza. Both fighters trade crosses, partially landing. Left hand to the body grazes Pedraza. Three clean punches land in succession for Loma! Still very few clean punches are landing from either fighter, but Loma is landing more of them than Pedraza. Lomachenko 10-9.
Round 4: Loma looks like he has a small mark on his left eye, but nothing to worry about at this point. Pedraza throws a half-hearted hook and Loma blocks it. Jab lands clean for Pedraza at range. Pedraza turns southpaw and tries a short flurry but doesn’t land anything of note. Clean jab lands for Loma now, and then he follows it up with a hard jab to the body. This fight is wider on my scorecard than it is in reality, but it’s really been a tentative fight that Loma is nicking the rounds in. A few jabs come from Loma that makes Pedraza retreat and pivot away. Short left hand lands twice for Loma. Lomachenko 10-9, 40-36.
Round 5: Pedraza starts with a short uppercut on the inside. Jab lands clean for Pedraza. Pedraza throws a few more but they fall short. Now Loma lands a straight left upstairs. Loma cuffs Pedraza’s head with a hook and then Pedraza responds with a right hand that lands well. UPpercut to the body lands clean for Pedraza, who follows it up with three punches as Loma covers up. Loma throws a body shot and Pedraza responds with two of his own. I think Pedraza gets on the board here. Pedraza 10-9.
Round 6: Pedraza partially lands a jab to start the round. Pedraza measuring with his left hand, looking for an opening. Straight left hand lands clean for Loma, then another! Loma lands a right hand to the body. Now Loma lands a jab to the head. Pedraza comes forward with a couple of shots but Loma is able to step out of range. Two body shots land for Pedraza but I don’t think it’s enough. Lomachenko 10-9, 59-55.
Round 7: Loma lands a right hand lead. Loma charges in with three punches, landing at least two of them well. Pedraza flicks some jabs to keep Loma at range. Short uppercut lands for Loma on the inside. Loma lets his hand fly and is outworking Pedraza now. Sharp jab lands for Loma as Pedraza tries to pivot to center ring. Left hook lands for Pedraza as he switches to southpaw. Another jab lands for Loma, who then follows it up with a couple of clean body shots. Pedraza throws two body punches of his own and then tries to bully him to the ropes to end the round. Lomachenko 10-9.
Round 8: Short straight left hand lead lands for Loma to open the round. Loma pops a jab, then Pedraza gets in one followed by three hooks to the body. Loma gets in a clean body shot in between a Pedraza combination and then Loma steps in and follows it up with another body shot. Pedraza lands a jab at center ring as Loma steps back to catch his breath. Loma steps back in and throws a combination, then pushes Pedraza to the canvas. Loma is starting to separate himself now, and not just on the scorecards. Lomachenko 79-73.
Round 9: Pedraza is laying back in this round, letting Loma lead while he looks to counter. Loma steps in with a couple of jabs that can’t quite find the target. Now Pedraza lands a clean jab as he times Loma’s forward momentum. Loma lands a clean right hook as he gets Pedraza into a corner. Hard body shot lands for Pedraza. Loma lands a jab again, then throws the straight left to the body that only partially lands. I think Pedraza actually having a much better round here, taking the play away from Loma. Now Loma lands a clean uppercut on Pedraza. I think Pedraza edges this one. Pedraza 10-9.
Round 10: Counter jab lands for Loma. Pedraza flicks a jab, feints, then throws another one. Loma touches Pedraza with a couple of short shots. Pedraza lands a right hook to the body from a southpaw stance. Another lead right hand lands for Pedraza as he gets more comfortable fighting lefty. A left hook lands this time for Pedraza, sticking to his southpaw stance. Loma’s eye looks more marked up now. Pedraza 10-9, 93-97.
Round 11: Pedraza comes out with a short combination that partially lands. Pedraza is sticking southpaw after a successful last round. Loma lands a jab, then a left hand as a follow up shot. Loma steps in on Pedraza and Pedraza tries to smother him. Loma lands a few clean, hard shots that are shaking Pedraza up! Pedraza looks wobbled! Loma keeps throwing as Pedraza is just trying to roll the shots on Loma’s assault. Uppercut lands clean for Loma, who steps over and lands another one and Pedraza crumbles to the canvas! Pedraza gets up at the count of 9 and Loma jumps on him and puts him down again! Pedraza beats the count again and the round is over. Lomachenko 10-7.
Round 12: Pedraza comes out with a body shot, a jab, and the a right hand that Loma is able to defend. Left hand to the body lands clean for Loma. Now Loma pivots and lands a left hook to the body. Loma is chasing Pedraza around and landing combination punches. Both fighters trade shots but Loma comes forward anyway, looking for more. Left hand land clean for Loma upstairs. Hard left to the body lands again for Loma. Pedraza goes down on a push and it’s ruled as such. Pedraza makes it to the final bell. Lomachenko 10-9. I’ve got it score for Lomachenko 117-109.
ISAAC DOGBOE vs EMANUEL NAVARRETE
Round 1: Dogboe leads with a left hook that lands right away. Dogboe steps forward and presses Navarrete to teh ropes and lands a body shot. Dogboe has a serious height and reach disadvantage but Navarrete is allowing him to walk right in on him and land power shots. Dogboe lands two body shots, then two more with Navarrete along the ropes. Two more body shots from Dogboe land on Navarrete. Navarrete partially lands a right hand and then tries to follow it up with a short flurry with little success. Left hook to the body lands for Dogboe. Dogboe 10-9.
Round 2: Navarrete tries to poke the body with a couple of jabs. Navarrete misses on two more jabs downstairs. Navarrete has a cut on the left side of his scalp. Two hard body shots land for Dogboe. A counter uppercut to the body lands again for Dogboe. Navarrete lands a lead left hook upstairs and then throws three more to the head and body, Dogboe backs up as he’s hurt by the punches. Navarrete charges in and lands another clean body shot. Dogboe is on the ropes looking for some reprieve. Navarrete is having good success backing Dogboe up. Navarrete 10-9, 19-19.
Round 3: Navarrete comes out looking to pick up where he left off but walks into a couple body shots from Dogboe. Clean right hand to the body followed by an uppercut lands for Navarrete. Two jabs followed by a right hand comes from Dogboe as he’s getting his offense back together. Navarrete lands a jab at center ring. Dogboe tries to return fire but gets warned for hitting behind the head. Two left hooks land clean for Navarrete! Right hand to the body lands for Dogboe. Another straight right lands for Navarrete! I think Navarrete landed the most damaging shots of the round. Navarrete 10-9.
Round 4: Dogboe leads with a left hook that partially lands. Dogboe strafes Navarrete with a couple of shots downstairs. Overhand right lands for Dogboe, followed by a short flurry that ends with a left hook to the head. Double left hook to the body and head lands for Dogboe. Short left hook lands on the inside for Dogboe. Dogboe gets Navarrete to the ropes and tries to let go of some punches before Navarrete is able to escape. Nice uppercut to the body lands for Dogboe to end the round. Dogboe 10-9, 38-38.
Round 5: Navarrete tries to land a right hand right away but can’t find the target. Dogboe charges back with three punches that don’t land clean. Check hook lands for Dogboe. Two more body shots land for Dogboe as he ducks a punch upstairs from Navarrete. Navarrete gets Dogboe to the corner after landing a long shot at range. Navarrete is getting more aggressive and Dogboe hits the deck on a slip. Navarrete tries to run after Dogboe throwing both hands. Clean left hook lands upstairs for Dogboe. Interesting round. I think Dogboe edged it with clean punching but Navarrete is coming on strong. Dogboe 10-9.
Round 6: Navarrete leads with a left hook that Dogboe catches. Navarrete throws a flurry that backs Dogboe up to the ropes. Navarrete throws a couple of jabs at center ring. More jabs come from Navarrete who is able to land on Dogboe at a range where Dogboe can’t return fire. Another flurry of uppercuts come from Navarrete who lands a few of them. Navarrete walks Dogboe down and lets his hands go once he has Dogboe cornered. Clean right uppercut lands for Navarrete. Another right uppercut lands for Navarrete! Navarrete 10-9, 57-57.
Round 7: Both fighters try to trade jabs at center ring. Dogboe starts coming forward again and Navarrete obliges by giving ground and using his longer arms to pick him off. Two body shots lands for Dogboe as Navarrete gets caught on the ropes. Dogboe jumps in with a couple more body shots as Navarrete takes his foot off the gas pedal. Two more body shots land for Dogboe. I think Dogboe takes this round because Navarrete didn’t do enough. Dogboe 10-9.
Round 8: Dogboe misses on a hard body shot to start the round. Navarrete clips Dogboe with a stiff jab but then takes a clean hook from Dogboe in return. Double left hook comes from Dogboe. Dogboe jumps in behind a left hook to the body, then another, then a right hook to the head! Right hook to the body lands for Dogboe. I feel like Navarrete is letting this fight get away from him when he had things really going his way a couple of rounds ago. Two more hooks to the body lands for Dogboe. Navarrete must be tires because he’s hardly throwing anymore. Two more hooks land well for Dogboe. Dogboe 10-9, 77-75.
Round 9: Dogboe tries a counter uppercut but can’t find the range this time. Three punches come from Dogboe but Navarrete is able to defend them pretty well. Right hand from Dogboe puts Navarrete down! It’s ruled a slip! Navarrete is said to have injured his right hand which has limited his output these past few rounds. Two hooks come from Navarrete but only partially land. Clean left hook lands clean this time for Navarrete! Two more short shots on the inside land for Navarrete, then a jab. Navarrete picked up the pace just in time to take this round for me. Navarrete 10-9.
Round 10: Referee has the doctor take a look at Dogboe’s eye which is swollen. We’re back in action and Navarrete lands a jab as Dogboe tries to wing a hook to the body. Overhand right partially lands for Dogboe. Hard left hook lands for Navarrete and knocks Dogboe back. Dogboe tries to go back down to the body. Left hook puts Dogboe down! That’s ruled a slip too! Navarrete comes forward and tries to land a follow up as he thinks he hurt Dogboe. Looping right hand lands for Dogboe. Several shots land clean for Navarrete to end the round! Navarrete 10-9, 95-95.
Round 11: Navarrete tries a right hand to the body but it falls just short. Navarrete walks forward and lands a short right hand on Dogboe’s head. Jab lands clean for Navarrete. Another jab lands for Navarrete, followed by a body shot. Uppercut partially lands for Navarrete as he rushes after Dogboe. Another jab lands for Navarrete and Dogboe slips again in the corner, hitting the canvas. Dogboe is busted up in the face, bleeding from both nostril and with two swollen eyes. Navarrete is coming on strong again and landing clean shots on Dogboe. Dogboe just tackles Navarrete at the bell to stop the onslaught. Navarrete 10-9.
Round 12: Referee warns Dogboe that he’s going to stop the fight if he doesn’t show him something. He’s taken a lot of punishment in this fight and it’s showing. Fighters touch gloves to start the last round. Dogboe tries to bide his time by holding Navarrete early. Dogboe looks like he’s just trying to survive, moving around the ring and holding rather than punching much. Navarrete is trying to catch up with Dogboe who continues to back up, hold, and muddy up the action. Right hand to the body lands for Navarrete. Right hand to the head lands clean for Navarrete, who stuns Dogboe! Dogboe pins Navarrete along the ropes to stop the punishment. Navarrete comes after Dogboe and lands a right hand to the head. Dogboe is taking a beating. Navarrete 10-9. I’ve got it scored for Navarrete, 115-113.
TEOFIMO LOPEZ vs MASON MENARD
Round 1: Lopez starts with a quick jab that gets parried. Lopez throws the jab down to the body this time. Now Lopez lands a clean overhand right clean that got Menard’s attention. ANOTHER HUGE RIGHT HAND FROM LOPEZ PUTS MENARD OUT COLD! LOPEZ BACKFLIPS IN THE RING. IT’S OVER! Lopez KO-1.