by James Slater At Ringside – It was a good, value for money night of boxig last night at The Joint, HardRock Cafe just off the Vegas strip. Mexican banger and former WBO 122pound champ Daniel Ponce de Leon hammered out a shutout ten-rounder over a very game Eduardo Lazcano, while 154pound contender Ishe Smith stole the show with an immpressive 4thround TKO over Ayi Bruce.
Southpaw De Leon hit Lazcano with EVERY shot in his arsenal, yet the rock-chinned Lazcano took it all without goig down. Seriously tough, Lazcano showed an amazig chin. Straight lefts, right hooks, uppercuts, body shots from both sides and a ton of jabs connected flush, yet De Leon could not put his man away.. Has the Mexican lost some of his power having moved up to featherweight? No, Lazcano, never stopped, is simply uncommonly hard!
De Leon is now 42-4(35). Lazcano is now 24-3(10).
Sugar Shay Ishe Smith put his punches together against Bruce, and he did get the stoppage he was looking for. A sizzling seris of fast, hard and accurate shots had Bruce in ad shape in th 4th, prompting ref Kenny Bayless to div in. Smith, a hit with the fans, now looks for a bigger fight – maybe one with James Kirkland who was sat at ringside? It could happen,
Ishe is now 22-5(10). Bruce falls to 2106(13).
Some of the fun took place outside of the ring last night, as fans, myself included, had a chance to speak with Kirkland, Oscar de la Hoya, Tony Tucker, Paul Malignaggi and, a surprise guest, David Haye. Kirkland, a true gent, was superb with the fans, as was Oscar, Paulie and TNT Tucker. Haye, however, was his usual aloof self, posing only for the odd photo before departing. Looking in great shape (is this man really retired?), Haye spoke enthusistically with De La Hoya – about what we’d all love to know!
Haye watched the Smith fight and was then gone. He wil he back at ringside for tonight’s mega-fight though; on that you can count.
Fight fans got a nice taste of excitement last night; today the real fun will start! Vegas, by the way, is almost 100-percent pro-Cotto.