Undefeated Las Vegas prospect Angelo Leo went wire-to-wire in an impressive and dominating 10-round unanimous decision victory over Neil John Tabanao in a ShoBox: The New Generation main event Friday night on SHOWTIME from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.
The scores for the 122-pound bout were 100-89, 100-90 twice, all in favor for one of Mayweather Promotions top young talents in Leo (17-0, 8 KOs), who was pushed past the eighth round for the first time in his career against the Filipino Tabanao (17-5, 11 KOs).
“It felt good to make my SHOWTIME debut tonight, to show my fans and the rest of the world my skills and now it’s just up from here,” Leo said. “He was a tough fighter. I’d give my performance an eight. He had a punch. I had to stay cautious in the beginning and take my time and get on the inside.”
Leo averaged 80 punches thrown in the final three rounds and out-landed Tabanao 81-20 overall and 79-17 power in the same span. Leo was especially prolific going to the body as he held a 76-22 margin in body connects.
“Leo is a good fighter,” Tabanao said. “I know I lost the fight. I did what I could but he was really good. I started strong but on the second half he took over. He fought very well on the inside. He’s really good at short range. He deserved the win.”
Leo said he needs to work on his defense. “I need to keep it a little tighter and not leave any room for opportunities for my opponent,” he said. “I’m ready for whatever my team brings to me for my next fight. I know [Mayweather Promotions CEO] Leonard Ellerbe has my back and my best interests.”
In the co-feature, Xavier Martinez (14-0, 10 KOs) of Sacramento, Calif., put on a clinic in recording a third-round TKO over John Moralde (21-3, 11 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round super featherweight bout.
After dominating the first two rounds, Martinez sent Moralde to the canvas with a short left hook, Moralde quickly jumped to his feet but appeared dazed. After 20 seconds and another onslaught of punches, referee Tony Weeks had seen enough and he officially waved off the fight at 1:11 of the third round.
“I came into this fight wanting to make a statement,” Martinez said. “It’s SHOWTIME and that means it’s go time. I wanted to show everybody who I am and I feel like I did that tonight. I wanted take him out early, I had that in my head and I did it.”
Martinez wasted no time in getting started, he landed 58% of his power shots in the first round. He continued to outclass Moralde in the second, and the third round spelled the end for the Filipino fighter.
“He kept smirking at me when we first started so I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face real quick,” Martinez said. “So it went from him smirking to him getting serious really fast. I was looking to get the knockout, but in my head I was thinking if it doesn’t happen, just keep working him. But I didn’t have to. I took him out on the third.”
“Martinez was the most explosive fighter tonight and showed his power,” said ShoBox analyst and boxing historian Steve Farhood. “Leo seemed the most mature of the fighters and showed the most dimensions. And by fighting 10 rounds we got to see what he could do, and he seems to be the furthest along of the fighters we saw tonight.”
In the telecast opener, 21-year-old Las Vegas prospect Andres Cortes (11-0, 6 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over Baltimore’s Jahmal Dyer (9-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout, despite Dyer sending Cortes to the canvas after a flash knockdown in the fourth round. The scores were 78-73, 79-73, 78-74.
After a slow-paced first round, Cortes took control of the fight with his superior volume and accuracy. He suffered the first knockdown in his career in the fourth with 40 seconds remaining in the round, but he quickly rebounded and managed to outland Dyer 29-9 in total punches and 20-5 on power punches.
“The knockdown didn’t affect my performance at all,” said Cortes, who was fighting for the sixth time at Sam’s Town Live. “I was off balance but as you saw, I was able to come back and almost knocked him out. I got too greedy and felt like I was coming off too strong. He was a good opponent, so it was my mistake. I give my performance tonight a 6, I didn’t like it at all. I feel like I could’ve done a lot better but it’s okay.”
Dyer, who had a seven and a half-inch reach advantage, said he didn’t feel like he won the fight. “He just outperformed me,” he said. “I could have thrown more punches. IN the fourth, we were both exchanging and I just happened to catch him with a good shot.”
Cortes said he was looking for the knockout the entire fight and his defense could have been better. “I should have kept my distance a little more and that would have made the fight a little easier. I’ll be back soon and do a lot better,” he added.
Friday’s fights were promoted by Mayweather Promotions. The full telecast will replay on Monday, April 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND®.
Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with boxing historian Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Chuck McKean directing.
Three undefeated prospects making their ShoBox: The New Generation debut all made weight, as did their opponents, at the official weigh-in for Friday night’s Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.
Top 122-pound prospect Angelo Leo (16-0, 8 KOs) will square off against Filipino Neil John Tabanao (17-4, 11 KOs) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout in the ShoBox main event, while super featherweight Xavier Martinez (13-0, 9 KOs) will take on John Moralde (21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round co-featured attraction. In the telecast opener, Las Vegas prospect Andres Cortes (10-0, 6 KOs) will face Baltimore’s Jahmal Dyer (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout.
FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES
Super Bantamweight 10-Round Bout
Angelo Leo – 123 lbs.
Neil John Tabanao – 122 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Jay Nady (Las Vegas); Judges: Glenn Trowbridge (Las Vegas), Patricia Morse Jarman (Las Vegas), Lisa Giampa (Las Vegas)
Super Featherweight 10-Round Bout
Xavier Martinez – 131 ¾ * lbs.
John Moralde – 131 ½ * lbs.
Referee: Tony Weeks (Las Vegas); Judges: Adalaide Byrd (Las Vegas), Tim Cheatham (Las Vegas), Ricardo Ocasio (Las Vegas)
Contracted weight is 131 pounds.
Super Featherweight 8-Round Bout
Andre Cortes – 132 ¼ * lbs.
Jahmal Dyer – 130 ½ * lbs.
Referee: Jay Nady (Las Vegas); Judges: Kermit Bayless (Las Vegas), Patricia Morse Jarman (Las Vegas), Glenn Trowbridge (Las Vegas)
Contracted weight is 132 pounds.
FINAL QUOTES:
ANGELO LEO:
“I’ve been in Vegas for about two years and training at Mayweather’s gym. I’m from Albuquerque and it’s a good fight town. We have some champions there, including Austin Trout and others.
“My style is a unique style – it’s a boxer-puncher style. I would say my style is really versatile. I can also punch if I need to – it depends on how my opponent fights.
“In my 122-pound division I have a good height advantage and I’m one of the taller guys. I’m best at 122. It’s tough to make weight, but this is the best weight for me.
“This is my national TV debut but there’s no pressure. I’ve been visualizing this moment since I was a kid.
“My opponent is no pushover. He’s got some power in his punch, so I have to be careful with that. I do watch a little video of my opponents. I think Tabanao is a good fighter, he’s a smart fighter. He’s a counterpuncher, he comes to fight, he comes to win. I’m ready for whatever he brings.”
NEIL JOHN TABANAO:
“My style is come-forward and aggressive. My style always depends on my opponent and what he shows me.
“I’m excited to be in America to continue my career but this is a Mayweather Promotions fight and a lot of people will be watching. So overall it’s great for my career.
“I know [Leo] is good because he knocked out my teammate, Glenn Porras.
“My mother passed away in December at age 48 from stage 5 kidney disease. I am dedicating this fight to her.
“The first time I was ever knocked down it was a double knockdown, but I got up and the other guy [Charlie Pucdol] didn’t. At least I won the fight.”
XAVIER MARTINEZ
“I’m an action-packed fighter. I’m a very slick, skilled boxer and improving with each step. It’s a great fight for me and I can’t wait to get in there.
“It’s more than a fight, you have to sell yourself out there. I’m from a good fight town in Sacramento, but I knew I would have to move to Vegas to step up against the best.
“I’ve watched a lot of Floyd and Diego Corrales. I was born in 1997 so I was 3 or 4 years old when I started watching those guys.
“With this game, it’s patience. And one thing I’ve learned from Floyd is to be patient. He says get it done the right way, and don’t rush. Because that’s when you mess it up.
“I’m an exciting fighter and I like to throw and mix it up in there.
“I want to make this a statement fight. If I don’t get him out early, because he’s tough, then I’m going to beat him down.
“I’ve fought on TV before so this is my third TV fight. So the lights won’t distract me. This is my job and it’s all part of the territory. So I can’t worry about all the lights and hoopla.”
JOHN MORALDE
“I’m a southpaw with a lot of experience and had more than 300 amateur fights with 270 wins.
“It’s a great step-up fight for me. I respect my opponent and know he’s going to bring it.
“Boxing has always been a big part of my family’s life and I’ve been boxing since I was six years old. Four of my siblings are boxers and one is a professional.
“The guys who I have sparred with are bigger than me so I’m fully prepared to go in there and take care of business.
“I was impressed with Xavier Martinez. He’s a good fighter, as all fighters at this level are skilled. He puts nice combinations together. We have formulated our game plan and I am very confident of my outcome on fight night and that I will be leaving Las Vegas victorious!”
ANDRE CORTES
“I’m mean and I’m aggressive. I’m an animal. I’m here to mess things up and destroy people.
“I’ve taken care of myself through this training camp and I’m motivated to continue climbing and making a name for myself.
“I’m a quiet guy outside the ring. I’m smart and intelligent outside the ring, but also inside the ring. Growing up all we knew was how to bang. But I’ve matured a lot.
“I’ve sparred some tough guys, including Gervonta Davis. That’s when Floyd [Mayweather] saw me and wanted to sign me so we did it.
“I’m an aggressive counter-puncher and I can take a shot. I’ve been especially working on my defense. My brother Luis is in my corner and he was a decorated amateur and won the Gold and Silver Gloves. Now he’s focused on helping me. He never turned pro, but I’ve seen the things he’s done and learned from them.
“I think people will remember me after I knock this guy out in my backyard. It’s gonna be something you don’t want to miss!
“Fighting in Vegas has been a dream come true for me. When I fought for the first time at the Mandalay Bay I almost cried.”
JAHMAL DYER
“He’s just another guy I’m stepping into the ring with. He’s nothing special.
“I’m a boxer with a strong right; look it up and you’ll see the video.
“I took some time off of my full-time job to get ready for this.
“With my last loss, I lost focus. My opponent did what he was supposed to do. But I rebounded and learned from my mistakes. It will only make me better in the future.”