MALDONADO TAKES IBA FEATHERWEIGHT
TITLE WITH RAZOR- THIN DECISION
By Michael Swann (ringiside)
Daniel “The Sandman”
Maldonado, 20-2 (13), edged Jose “The
Terminator” Gonzales by split decision,
116-111, 114-113, and 111-116 to take the IBA
featherweight title last night at The Orleans
Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Kentuckian
Maldonado was floored in round five but came
on strong in the final third of the fight to
squeeze out the win. 15 Rounds saw the fight
114-113 for Gonzales.
The fight was a scorcher
with excellent exchanges throughout as both
men left it all in the ring before an estimated
1600 spirited fight fans in the Mardi Gras Ballroom
of the hotel. The fan reaction appeared to be
mixed on the verdict.
IBA supervisor Norm Longtin
was impressed by the performance of the two
men and said, “Gonzales was on his way
to a knockout when he scored that knockdown.
It could have gone either way 114-113, but toward
the end Daniel was really pushing the fight.”
The exciting main event was
part of the first card promoted by Frank Luca’s
Crown Boxing at the Orleans. Luca was excited
by the sellout and enthusiasm for his show and
said that he planned to promote monthly shows
at the site beginning in January.
Luca said that the main event
and the co-feature would be distributed to 62
million homes on the MSG network and Sports
Nets beginning on Tuesday. Colonel Bob Sheridan
and Al Bernstein handled the broadcast duties.
The televised co-feature
was a history making woman’s bout between
Belinda Laracuente and Layla McCarter. The bout
marked the first time that two females went
toe to toe for 10 three-minute rounds. At the
end of 10 non-stop action rounds, McCarter emerged
as the victor by unanimous decision, 97-93,
100-90, and 99-91 to gain the GBU lightweight
title, and is now 21-12-4, with three KO’s.
Laracuente falls to 22-14-4, with nine inside
the distance.
In other bouts:
Deshaun Cohen won a unanimous decision over
Jose Grace in a super middleweight bout, 40-36,
39-37, and 40-36.
In a super flyweight bout,
Cesar Grajeda won a unanimous decision over
Kristian MaGallon, 40-35, 39-37, and 40-35.
Oscar Marin won a unanimous
decision over Alejandro Cortez in a lightweight
tilt, 39-37 on all cards.
Donnie Orr won by a third
round TKO over Victor Robles in a super middleweight
fight.
