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The sport’s biggest fight comes tomorrow night, but we’ll be here with live coverage this evening for another world title bout, as Jose Ramirez faces Antonio Orozco starting at 10 pm ET on ESPN.
Ramirez (22-0, 16 KO) will make the first defense of his WBC junior welterweight title in this bout, after beating Amir Imam for the vacant title on March 17. The 26-year-old former Olympian has turned into a reliable draw in Fresno, California, the city that hosts tonight’s bout, and an up-and-coming star for Top Rank.
But he’s got a real challenge on his hands this evening against Orozco (27-0, 17 KO), a fighter who has been expected to do big things for a while now, only to get in his own way a couple times on the scales. But the 30-year-old contender is good to go for tonight, and is a real opponent in this matchup, not some pushover.
The co-feature will be a 130-pound bout between Ramirez’s former Olympic teammate Jamel Herring (17-2, 10 KO), who is moving down from 135 and looking for a new lease on his career. He’ll face John Vincent Moralde (20-1, 10 KO) in a 10-round super featherweight fight.
Wil Esco will be on the round-by-round call tonight. Join us!
RESULTS
- JOSE RAMIREZ def. ANTONIO OROZCO by UD (119-107, 119-107, 119-107)
- JAMEL HERRING def. JOHN VINCENT MORALDE by UD (100-90, 100-90, 100-90)
- GABRIEL FLORES JR. def. ROGER GUTIERREZ by UD (59-54, 59-54, 58-54)
ROUND BY ROUND
JOSE RAMIREZ vs. ANTONIO OROZCO
Round 1: Orozco comes out with a quick jab to the body but Ramirez is quick to mix it up with him. Several jabs come from Ramirez as Orozco presses forward. Ramirez quadruples the left hook to the body and head of Orozco. Orozco ducks down low and partially lands an overhand right. Clean left hook upstairs lands for Ramirez! Ramirez lands two more hooks and these two are going at it! Orozco walks in behind a body shot and tries two more upstairs. Ramirez digs to the body and lands another clean left hook upstairs. These two have wasted no time! Three punches come from Ramirez that make contact with Orozco! This is already a good fight. Ramirez 10-9.
Round 2: Orozco comes out with another jab but both fighters go right at it. Ramirez gets in a shot that knocks Orozco off balance! Both fighters are willing to go to war and are giving the fans their money’s worth. Orozco gets in two shots to the body before getting into a clinch. Orozco gets in two more but Ramirez lands a sharp jab upstairs. Two hard jabs land for Ramirez again. Ramirez is keeping a good pace with a better craft and that’s doing well for him. But now Orozco gets in a couple more body shots and then a hook to the head. Orozco gets in a good right hand as the fighters trade blows. Jab lands for Orozco now. Good round, I like Orozco. Orozco 10-9, 19-19.
Round 3: Orozco starts with a jab again and Ramirez throws four back in return. Now Ramirez tries to mix in some uppercuts on Orozco but can’t land them clean. Three more jabs land for Ramirez and knock Orozco’s head back. Now Orozco lunges back with a right hand that lands. Ramirez is keeping this fight on the end of his jab in this round and it’s working well for him. Ramirez is able to land his jab at a good rate. Orozco tries to go to the body but can’t close the distance as effectively when Ramirez is pumping the jab in abundance. Hard left hook to the body lands for Ramirez and Orozco throws two back. Ramirez wins the round with his sharp jab. Ramirez 10-9.
Round 4: Orozco jumps out with a jab again and both fighters trade punches at close range. Hard jab at the end of a combination snaps Orozco’s head back. Orozco tries two to the body with luke warm results. Jab lands for Ramirez. Orozco digs the body with a left hook, but Ramirez immediately returns the favor. Both fighters exchange and the crowd gets pumped! Ramirez lands a hard right hand in the middle of an exchange and drops Orozco! Orozco barely beats the 10 count and Ramirez is looking to close the show. Orozco is in trouble. Hard left hook stuns Orozco! Somehow Orozco is able to stay on his feet! My God! Orozco digging deep and trying to fight back as he gets assaulted by Ramirez. Orozco makes it to the bell! Ramirez 10-8, 39-36.
Round 5: Orozco takes deep breath and steps out for Round 5. Ramirez gets in his groove and throws a quick combination. Orozco tries to counter with a jab but that’s not really his game. Orozco lands a nice right hand at close range. Orozco looks like he’s got his wits back and is trying to fight back and make a go of this. Ramirez doubles the jab and lands. Now Ramirez goes downstairs and gets in a shot while Orozco gets in a grazing one in return. Orozco knee buckles a little after an awkward punch. Ramirez jabs again and again and lands clean on Orozco. Ramirez 10-9.
Round 6: Ramirez sneaks in a nice uppercut which followed an Orozco jab. Check hook lands for Ramirez. Orozco marches forward and lands a jab of his own this time. Two body shots come from Orozco. Orozco doubles his jab and lands it. Ramirez lands a right hook upstairs but Orozco takes it well. Two more body shots land for Orozco, then an overhand right. Jab lands on the outside for Ramirez. Orozco steps in and throws one more jab before the bell. I actually think Orozco takes this round on his body punching. Orozco 10-9, 58-55.
Round 7: Hard right hook to the body lands for Ramirez. The fighters both trade jabs at center ring and Ramirez tries to follow up with a combination that Orozco pulls away from. Orozco lands a jab and then pivots to his left. Orozco is landing his jab at a good clip, he might want to keep that up. Ramirez doesn’t have the same pace ever since he hurt and tried to stop Orozco a couple rounds ago. Now Ramirez throws a one-two-one combination and lands the jab at the end of it. Sharp jab from Ramirez snaps Orozco’s head back. Orozco has a small over over his right eye which is starting to drip down his face. I think Ramirez just edges this round with some telling punches. Ramirez 10-9.
Round 8: Both fighters miss on a bunch of opening shots. Ramirez steps in with a jab, then two right hands shortly after. Ramirez doubles jabs and makes contact while Orozco lands a jab of his own, then digs to the body. Ramirez now comes back to the body himself as he tries to press Orozco back to the ropes. Double left hook to the body followed by a left hook to the head. Something bothered Orozco as he looks to the referee and Ramirez takes the opportunity to strafe Orozco. Now a left hand to the body puts Orozco down! Orozco beats the count but Ramirez comes forward as he looks to end it. Hard left hook to the liver makes Orozco sit on the ropes! That should’ve been a knockdown. Ramirez goes on an assault to try to finish Orozco off but Orozco makes it to the bell again. Ramirez 10-8, 78-72.
Round 9: Referee calls a time out to have a doctor take a look at Orozco. Orozco is good to continue. Orozco tries a left hook but Ramirez ducks it and throws a number of stiff jabs in succession. Orozco tries a jab, then another one, and then a left to the body. Ramirez fires his jab back and lands upstairs. Orozco gets some blood in his eye and Ramirez takes advantage to get in a left to the body. Another hard left to the body lands for Ramirez! Orozco is showing some heart! Orozco throws three hooks to the body and Ramirez responds by throwing three left hooks. Hard right hand lands clean for Ramirez, and now Orozco’s left eye looks bloody. Ramirez 10-9.
Round 10: Orozco starts out with a left to the body, then another. Ramirez gets back on his jab. Uppercut lands for Orozco. Now Orozco tries a uppercut and a hook that just misses. Orozco throws two more punches on the inside. Both fighters trade hooks but Orozco looks a little tender to the right side of his body. Ramirez strages Orozco to the ropes and lands two lefts to Orozco’s body. Orozco takes a deep breath but Ramirez jumps back on him with two shots to the head. Orozco fires two pucnhes back but Ramirez sneaks in a counter uppercut. Left hook lands for Orozco. Ramirez still walks forward and both fighters exchange shots again. Shopping right hand lands for Orozco right before the bell. I think Orozco just takes it by a small margin for his work rate. Orozco 10-9, 97-91.
Round 11: Ramirez comes out with a few jabs right away and Orozco tries to get in some hooks and uppercuts to the head and body. Ramirez steps back forward and gets Orozco in a headlock. Three hooks come from Orozco, maybe one lands. Left hook wipes the nose of Orozco. Jab lands for Orozco but Ramirez comes through it and tries a left to the body that falls short. The next left to the body lands for Ramirez. Left hand lands for Ramirez, then another. This has been a really good action fight with good boxing mixed in. Hard left to the body lands for Ramirez. Orozco just won’t give in and throw three back. Ramirez 10-9.
Round 12: Orozco comes out behind a straight right that can’t find the target. Ramirez throws to the head and body and lands on both areas. Ramirez still throwing and hitting Orozco upstairs and downstairs. Two jabs land for Ramirez. Ramirez tries another flurry and he’s dictating the pace to Orozco, who is worn but still fighting. Orozco throws four punches but Ramirez is able to defend well. Left hook lands for Orozco. Sharp jab lands for Ramirez, who then leans on Orozco’s neck. Both fighters exchange at the 10-second clapper and fight to the final bell. Ramirez 10-9. I’ve got it score wide for Ramirez, 117-109, but it was a fun fight!
JAMEL HERRING vs. JOHN VINCENT MORALDE
Round 1: Herring paws with a jab and then throws it true. Moralde tries to come back but gets tangled up with Herring. Now Moralde lands a counter right hand as Herring looked to land something of his own. Both fighters trade hooks on the inside, but Herring is able to follow it up with a left hand to the body. Another hard left to the body lands for Herring. Moralde gets into a quick skirmish with Herring but can’t get much done. Herring tries a left that just misses before the bell. Herring 10-9.
Round 2: Herring tries a one-two combination but can’t quite find the target. Moralde attacks back with two punches that Herring is able to catch. Now Herring lands a couple of shots on Moralde. Moralde lands a right hand to the body as Herring clips him to the head at the same time. Now two good body shots followed by an uppercut for Herring. Moralde tries a body-head combination that partially lands and the fighters get tied up soon after. Herring throws a couple more jabs after the break and cuffs Moralde’s head after a hook. Sloppy work for the most part but I still edge it to Herring. Herring 10-9, 20-18.
Round 3: Herring starts with a hook and then a hard left to the body that finds a home. Herring lands a check hook on Moralde now. Two-punch combination lands for Herring on a counter opportunity. Herring gets in a body shot again but the crowd isn’t enjoying this fight. Herring is winning but the action isn’t too clean. Herring lands body shots on both sides of Moralde and then gets in a hard left hook to the body to follow it up. Herring 10-9.
Round 4: Both fighters get into a clinch trying to exchange. Herring digs to the body again as Moralde tries to get in a looping shot over top. Two more body shots land for Herring as he has Moralde in a corner, but then Herring smothers his work. Herring continues to whip in body shots as Moralde tries to cover up. Now Moralde gets in a clean counter shot, his first clean punch in a while. Still not enough, though. Herring 10-9, 40-36.
Round 5: Herring has his confidence up and walks forward and looks to land some more body shots on Moralde. Moralde tries a straight right to the body but it falls shot. The fighters get into another clinch and have to be broken up. Now Herring gets in a nice head shot followed by a few body shots that hunch Moralde over. Herring chases Moralde to the opposite corner and lets go a couple more. Moralde gets in another rare counter shot but Herring is getting to him, applying a ton of pressure. Herring 10-9.
Round 6: Herring is trying to walk Moralde down now and Moralde is defensive, looking to land one punch at a time but mostly concerned about avoiding more punishment. Two hooks come from Herring and Moralde grabs hold and ties up Herring. Referee pushes Herring back but Herring walks right back forward and throws a few more body punches as Moralde lays along the ropes. Head shot land for Herring, but he can’t keep from falling too far in and getting tied up. He still wins the round, though. Herring 10-9, 60-54.
Round 7: Herring lands a counter left hand that follows and Moralde jab. Herring rattles off a combination as Moralde puts the earmuffs on. If Moralde isn’t really going to try to win this fight, I don’t see why we should continue this any longer...Herring jabs, Moralde tries to respond but can’t land. Now Moralde gets in a short cuffing shot as the fighters fall into one another causing another clinch. Two more body shots come from Herring who again smothers his own work and forces a break. Herring lands four clean body shots in short order and has Moralde on the ropes once again. Moralde’s legs are starting to get weak, demonstrated but him collapsing to the canvas during a clinch. Herring 10-9.
Round 8: Herring comes right after Moralde, landing right and left hands. Right hand sneaks in on Moralde. Moralde throws four consecutive punches but can’t land much effective on Herring. Herring showboats a little and then comes forward but gets into a momentary clinch before taking a step back and land two hard body shots. Moralde is taking serious punishment downstairs and it’s showing in his disposition. Uppercut to the head and a body shot land for Herring. Moralde is on thin ice. Herring 10-9, 80-72.
Round 9: Herring targets the head and body with combinations and Moralde is having more and more difficulty defending himself. Counter left hand to the body lands for Herring. Herring tries a one-two but Moralde is able to partially block it. Herring has taken his foot off the gas in this round but is still coasting because Moralde doesn’t have anything left in the tank to make a real push. Moralde tries a couple punches but they don’t have much on ‘em while Herring takes the opportunity to land another clean body shot. Herring 10-9.
Round 10: Moralde tries to come out strong in this final round, taking an aggressive stance but Herring cuffs his head and Moralde nearly hits the deck again. Check hook lands a couple of times for Herring. Uppercut follows a hook from Herring and lands on Moralde’s head. Clash of heads from the fighters and Herring gets a nice gash over Herring’s right eye. That’s unfortunate. Herring still wins the round. I’ve got it a shutout in a pretty boring fight, Herring 100-90.
GABRIEL FLORES JR. vs ROGER GUTIERREZ
Round 1: Both fighters come out trading lots of jabs, both are able to land on each other. Gutierrez lands a couple sharp ones in a row and evades the counter. Now Flores lands a sharp check hook. One-two combination lands for Flores! Gutierrez tries to maul Flores on the ropes a little but can’t land anything effective. Gutierrez gets warned for hitting behind the head. Now Flores lands a hard right hand that gets the crowd’s attention. This is a classic boxer vs. brawler match up. Now Gutierrez is able to rush Flores and Flores hits the deck and the referee calls it a knockdown! Flores doesn’t like that call. Gutierrez 10-8.
Round 2: Flores comes out and lands two sharp jabs right away, then lands a one-two combination again! Flores was dominating that last round until he got caught, which is why they say one punch can change everything. Flores has his composure back, though, and is back to outboxing Gutierrez. Flores lands a quick combination but Gutierrez rushes forward again with several shots that miss. Flores lands a left hand counter which snaps Gutierrez’s head. Now Flores lands a hook as Gutierrez walks in. Gutierrez is coming forward non-stop without thinking about it, and it’s making it easy for Flores to meet him with punches. Flores 10-9.
Round 3: Flores starts the round trying to counter Gutierrez right away, who has no problem coming in and throwing punches. Gutierrez walks forward and lands two shots to the body which is a good sign for him. Gutierrez walks right back forward and gets caught with two counter shots from Flores, who continues to counter both Gutierrez’s movement and punches. Gutierrez still maintains is workmanlike approach, throwing every punch from every angle — he’s been keeping a high pace. Problem is Flores is just a sharper fighter who can pick him off most of the time. Now Gutierrez gets a point deduction for punching behind the head again, probably a little harsh. Flores 10-8.
Round 4: Gutierrez lands a jab to the body, but then walks into a check hook. Two punches to the body land for Gutierrez. One-two lands for Flores who has had good success with that combination. Both fighters exchange awkwardly and Gutierrez hits the floor but it’s ruled a slip, correctly so. Gutierrez jumps foreard and lands an overhand right. Gutierrez has Flores on real retreat right now, but then Flores lands a nasty straight left, followed by a hook. Those are eye catching shots that probably steal him the round that I was about to give to Gutierrez. Flores 10-9, 38-36.
Round 5: Flores starts out with a few more sharp jabs, then retreats as Gutierrez walks forward with a lot of shots that almost all miss. Gutierrez is working really hard in this fight, but Flores is landing the cleaner and more effective punches — ones that visibly snap his opponent’s head back. Uppercut on the inside partially lands for Flores. One-two lands again for Flores. Flores now lands a hook on Gutierrez as he walks forward again. Flores 10-9.
Round 6: Last round! Gutierrez stalks forward and walks into a check hook from Flores, then a jab. For as much as Flores has hit Gutierrez clean, he hasn’t even stunned him once. Left hook lands for Flores as Gutierrez lands a right hook to the body almost simultaneously. Uppercut on the inside lands for Flores. Now Flores lands a hard left to the body. I don’t know that Flores has much pop in those gloves, but he has some boxing skills. Flores 10-9. I’ve got it scored 58-54 for Flores.