While the top story from Friday’s boxing card at Mandalay Bay was the star studded audience, Marco Antonio Rubio put on an impressive display in front of some of his most famous peers.
Rubio fired away at the game Matt Vanda, who couldn’t avoid the 1-2 combinations that Rubio was able to stick right through his defense. The always durable Vanda had his moments, putting together combinations in certain places, but was never able to really get a rhythm established that could keep up with Rubio’s high volume game plan.
In the 5th round Rubio stepped on the gas pinning Vanda against the ropes and not letting up. While Vanda was able to duck away from the initial fire, a second flurry prompted a stoppage from Kenny Bayless, and a 5th round TKO for Rubio in the midst of a gathering of stars.
In the room to take the action in from the start was Hector “Macho” Camacho, joking with fans and personnel from the beginning. Camacho’s arrival was followed by the likes of Tommy Hearns, and Marvin Hagler, both taking their fair share of photos with eager fans. Former Hearns conqueror Iran Barkley sat ringside talking boxing with the rest of the crowd. The most attention grabbing arrival was from Mike Tyson, who stopped for a few pictures en route to his ringside seat. As well as the several former world champions, not all of which were named, an impressive crop of current fighters showed up for the event. Sergio Martinez, Andre Dirrell, Wayne McCullough, Hasim Rahman Jr., Ishe Smith, and several others were also on hand.
In preliminary action Javier Fortuna had no trouble landing flush on Miguel Roman, but was never able to put together enough power shots for the stoppage. Fortuna moved well, and landed solid combinations throughout ten rounds and picked up a decision victory.
Son of Julian Jackson, John Jackson looked impressive, stopping Keandre Leatherwood in round six. Jackson took his fair share of punishment, but put a durable chin on display, and finished Leatherwood off in the sixth.
Super middleweight Badou Jack opened the card up in emphatic fashion, dropping Adam Collins in the first round. Jack put his power on display, collecting three quick knockdowns and a stoppage moving him to 9-0 with 8 ko’s.
In other action Samuel Rogers stopped Jamar Freeman in the tenth, Azael Cosio stopped Ronnie Warrior Jr. in the sixth, and Laura Serrano fought to a majority draw with Ela Nunez.
All in all the show provided some boxing entertainment, to the most hardcore of boxing audiences. Something of a family reunion feeling was in the air throughout the ballroom, and the boxing community for at least one night, felt like a fraternity.
