Corrales wins split decision over Casamayor

06.03.04 – By Marc Abrams: Tonight at the Foxwoods resort in Connecticut 2 WBO world title headlined Showtime Championship Boxing. Jr. Bantamweight Champ Mark “2 Sharp” Johnson successfully defended his title with an explosive 4th round knockout over previously undefeated Luis Bolano. In the Main Event, Diego Corrales avenged his loss to Joel Cassamayor with a 12 round split decision to capture the vacant WBO Jr. Lightweight belt.

In the opener Johnson outclassed Bolano from the opening bell. In round 1 he used his jab to set up his over hand lefts and hard right hooks. Round 2 was much the same with Johnson using his whole arsenal of punches by going to the body with some thudding right hooks then going to the head. Bolano landed a nice 3 punch combo in the 3rd but that was sandwiched between Johnson’s big uppercuts. Bolano landed a slow right hand, then after Johnson landed a right to the head, Johnson connected on a huge left hook that sent the challenger to the canvas. Seconds later a devastating upper cut drove Bolano again to the canvas, Bolano spit his mouthpiece out and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. wisely put a halt to the fight. John son moves his record to 43-3(28), and called out IBF champ Luis Perez for a unification fight. Bolano suffered his 1st pro defeat 38-1(28).

The main event was a rematch of last October’s barnburner between Cassamayor and Corrales. Cassamayor came out tryin to establish his boxing ability but thrown quick combinations and by sneaking in the right hand. Corrales started by using his jab, not necessarily to score but to find some range and keeping Cassamyor away.

In round 3 Corrales landed a great flurry with both hands. He continued landing short combinations that helped eek out some of these very close rounds. I had Corrales winning 3 of the 1st 4 rounds.

Round 5 was another close round as each fighter landed some nice shots with their left hands. The middle rounds were much the same with Cassamayor using more of slick boxing style as opposed to Corrales’ more setting up combinations with the jab. The 9th round was a very good round for Cassamyor as he landed some nice lead and counter combinations.

Halfway through round 10 Cassamayor connected on a perfect straight left that sent Corrales to the canvas. The 11th Corrales had a huge round by landing some great body punches and a huge right hand that buckled Cassamayor momentarily. A nasty cut formed over the right eye of Corrales at the very end of the round due to a headbutt. The 12th round both fighter fought very cautiously as each believed that they were ahead on the scorecards.

When they did go to the score cards, Corrales won a split decision (114-113 for Cassamayor, 115-112, and 115-112). This was defiantly a good fight from the standpoint each fighter showed versatility and some questions were answered such as Corrales fighting a different style from fighter he is known for waiting for the 1 big punch. Each fighter was open to a rubber match, which I believe would be best for both as the winner of that should fight the winner of a proposed fight between Erik Morales and Carlos Hernandez. The winner would then reign as the king of 130 pounds.