Nieves, Sosa Impress, Serrano Settles For Draw At The Casino

The International Fight Night boxing show at Resorts World Casino New York City was, for the most part, the night of the underdog. Felipe Gomez’ New Legend Boxing has always brought competitive matches that seldom look that way on paper. Tonight for instance, two favorites settled for draws.

Cindy Serrano fought to a six round split draw in the co-main event. Serrano’s combos and footwork were impressive looking but often found the gloves of her foil, Fatuma Zarika (24-9-1 14 KO’s). Zarika over the course of the action landed the bigger blows. Serrano won on one card 58-56. Zarika took the second by the same score. The third judge had it even at 57. Serrano (22-5-3, 10 KO’s) left quite surprised but on this reporters card it was quite correct.

Unlike Serrano, Frank Castillo was outworked by winless Lionel Charles (0-5). Castillo lost the first two rounds as his inability to fight inside or go to the body made for a hard evening. He hustled to stratch out the last two rounds to salvage a draw 38-38 on all three cards. Castillo is now 5-0-1, 3 KO’s.

On the prelim matches we got an interesting mix of results.

Joseph Williams, sporting a Floyd Mayweather stance, showed other subtle yet well schooled skills to capture a decision (60-54 all cards) over a game Kentrell Claiborne (4-11, 3 KO’s). Williams is now unbeaten in five contests.

David Sparks fooled many by fighting better than his physique led to believe as he was a dynamo, out speeding Marcellus Yates to a 40-36, unanimous decision. Sparks improved to 2-0. Dimash Niyazov won a workmanlike 40-36 unanimous decision over Micah Branch (2-14-1). Dimash improved to 7-0-3, 4KO’s).

The impressive performances of the evening  included Ivan Baranchyk, (6-0, 5 KO’s) who iced Damion Hill (4-9) in one.

Julian Sosa made his pro debut to a large supporting contingent. For the most part it was a grind that started well with a first round knockdown. It went the entire four with Sosa winning his debut by unanimous decision, 40-35 on all cards.

Ariel “Fuego” Duran (8-7-1, 5 KO’s) outclassed Rafael Luna (4-11-3, 1 KO) over the first two rounds before it was stopped in the third as he was cut.

The Main Event was a sharp tactical fight as Antonio Nieves remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Saul Tejada (5-4-2). Nieves was sharp and outworked Tejada to win three close rounds to start. But Saul, though slow in hand speed hsd a tough defense andcwas abke to find Nieves, slowing him down with a body attack mixed with overhand rights to dig out rounds four and five on this reporter’s  card. It all turned back into Nieves favor as he caught  Tejada with a counter right to floor him on his back. Tejada came back to win the seventh with the eighth round won by Nieves in style. The official scores were not nearly any indication of the give and take nature of this contest. It was scored for Antonio Nieves (11-0, 5 KO’s) by unanimous  decision, 79-72 on all cards.

A special presentation was added with bachata artist Alex D singing “Curita de Amor.” All in all an entertaining evening of fisticuffs and style.