Angelino Cordova Upsets Angel Acosta at Fantasy Springs

Hunger can make anyone dangerous and Venezuela’s Angelino Cordova fought like a starving dog in out-working former world champion Angel Acosta to win the WBO International flyweight title by unanimous decision on Thursday.

Despite literally living in a boxing gym for almost two years, Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs) out-punched Puerto Rico’s Acosta (23-4, 22 KOs) before a packed arena at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA. Even Acosta’s vaunted punching power could not stop the Venezuelan.

Cordova entered the ring without facing anyone of note while Acosta was looking to reclaim another world title at a heavier weight class. No one knew what to expect.

Acosta used a jab and body shots to begin overtaking Cordova. Around the third round the Puerto Rican fighter was walking down the Venezuelan with strong left hooks and it looked like the end was coming. A clash of heads opened a cut on Cordova and that seemed to wake him up.

Knowing he was behind Cordova became more unpredictable and firing wild blows. A punch by Cordova behind the head of Acosta prompted a point deduction by referee ray Corona. Even that did not slow him down after living in a New Jersey boxing gym far away from Venezuela for 17 months.

He was there to win and nothing else.

Cordova walked through Acosta’s big left hooks and fired uppercuts and rights. Though not always accurate he was out-punching Acosta and he wanted to keep it that way.

Suddenly the momentum changed and Acosta seemed perturbed that he was unable to hurt Cordova despite landing big shots. Though whacked by several left hooks, Cordova remained standing. That proved to be very important in this close fight.

All three judges scored in favor of Cordova 96-93, and 95-94 twice.

“I feel so happy,” said Cordova after the fight. “No way to describe this incredible feeling.”

Cordova said he’s after any of the world champions or fellow contenders such as Julio Cesar Martinez or Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.

Other bouts

San Diego’s Jorge Chavez (6-0, 5 KOs) stopped Puerto Rico’s Alberto Nieves (4-3-1) with body shots at 1:34 of the fifth round. Right hooks to the body floored Nieves twice in the fifth round of a featherweight contest.

Colorado’s Daniel Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs) knocked out Brazil’s Aldimar Silva (22-23) with a body shot at 2:14 of the second round of the super featherweight match Garcia trains in Oxnard, California and showcased a very stiff jab.

Grant Flores (2-0, 2 KOs) battered Terrance Jarmon (3-4) with body shots to end the fight quickly at 51 seconds of the first round of a super welterweight fight.

A super featherweight fight saw Leonardo Sanchez (4-0) win by knockout over Mychaquell Shields (0-2) at 2:33 of the second round.

Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy

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