27.007.08 – by James Slater: Last night in Las Vegas, on the under-card of “The Battle,” relatively unknown Colombian Cesar Canchila put on a career-best performance by hammering the big-punching Mexican Giovanni Segura to defeat over 12 absorbing rounds. The scores were 117-110, 1170-110 and 115-112, all for Canchila. The new interim champ improved to 27-1(21), Segura was beaten for the very first time and fell to 19-1-1(15)..
Both aged 26, the two 108-pounders put on a good fight. In the opening two rounds it looked as though Mexico’s unbeaten Segura would win the fight quickly, though. Coming out fast and slinging lots of leather, the switch-hitting banger hurt his man with his right hand at least once. Wild, but very exciting to watch, Segura only had one thing on his mind – a KO win.
In round two, he almost got one. A sweet right hook to the head sent Canchila down in spectacular style and the crowd roared. Up quite quickly, the Colombian held on and tried to fight back. A great fight was now shaping up. Referee Jay Nady drew some boos from the crowd as he warned the Mexican for a low blow, temporarily halting the action as he did so. There were more wild swings from Segura at the end of the round, and also a good right hand counter by Canchila.
A fiery exchange took place at the start of the 3rd, but is was overly apparent Segura was being way too reckless and lax with regards to his own defence. Always looking for the KO punch, the Mexican wasn’t paying enough attention to what was coming back at him. Then Canchila began to out-box his man, as fast combos won him his first round of the fight.
From then on in, the Colombian pretty much had things his own way. Segura switched stance briefly in the 4th, going from lefty to righty, but then went back. He was also looking quite slow already. Was he running out of ideas, having landed his best shots without the desired result? By the 5th and 6th rounds, it was clear Segura was fading rapidly. At times being forced back, the Mexican was also visibly blowing, his mouth hanging open. A startling turnaround was being witnessed.
By the 7th, Segura looked all done. Back-pedalling constantly in the round, he did no work at all. The crowd booed his negativity. It appeared there was something wrong with Segura, however, and between rounds the doctor had a good look at him. Canchila went for it at the start of the 8th, sensing his opponent was ready to go. Showing heart, Segura came back with three head shots of his own, briefly stunning his tormentor and proving he was still dangerous. Yet he was on the verge of exhaustion now and badly marked up around both eyes – his right eye in particular being swollen underneath and restricting his vision.
In the 10th, being in total control, Canchila really hammered Segura. The Mexican was showing guts way beyond the call, but he should have perhaps been pulled out. He was taking the kind of beating that can ruin a fighter for good. Another close look was given by the doctor between rounds, but Segura was allowed to come out for the last two rounds. Hanging in bravely, but being on severely unsteady legs, Segura made it to the final bell. He was well beaten, though, and everyone knew it.
It remains to be seen how Segura will come back from this beating. Indeed, it’s possible he may never be the same force again. As for the previously unknown fighter from Colombia who was having his very first fight outside of his home country, his future looks golden.