Ringside at the Turning Stone: De La Hoya Romps over Outclassed Salgado

VERONA, NY — Turning Stone Resort Casino hosted a nationally televised fight card in conjunction with the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Induction Weekend on Friday night. Before a star studded crowd that included 2018 Hall of Fame inductees Vitali Klitschko, Erik Morales and Ronald “Winky” Wright, amongst others, Diego De La Hoya (21-0, 10 KO’s) scored a stoppage win against tough veteran Jose Salgado (35-5-2, 28 KO’s) in the main event of their scheduled 10-round fight in the 122-pound weight class. The official end came at the end of round seven at the request of Salgado’s corner.

The hand speed advantage of De La Hoya was the story of the fight. De La Hoya consistently beat Salgado to the punch and landed often in combination before Salgado could react. His punches were crisp and effective. Salgado tried his best to counter but De La Hoya was much too quick and often evaded the slower plodding shots of Salgado. The bout was totally one-sided in favor of De La Hoya from the onset. Salgado’s face became a bloody mess as the fight progressed with cuts having developed over both eyes, as well as having blood pouring from his nose. By the end of the seventh, it was apparent that Salgado was beaten and his corner made a wise call to halt the action.

In the 154 pound co-feature, Travell Mazion (13-0, 11 KO’s) won an eight round unanimous decision over Daquan Pauldo (17-2, 9 KO’s). On paper, these two appeared evenly matched and that played out in the ring with not much separating them in many of the rounds. Mazion was busier in most rounds working primarily behind an active left jab.  However, Pauldo had his share of moments, in particular finding a consistent home for the counter right hand and seemed to land the cleaner and more effective punches. However, the judges ultimately sided with Mazion, according him the decision by scores of 78-74 and 77-75 twice.  It was a career best win by Mazion who kept his perfect record intact and moved a step closer to contention in what is a loaded 154-pound weight division.

Other Bouts

Danielito Zorrilla (7-0, 6 KO’s) knocked out Julio Perez (4-3) with a left hook to the body in the second round of their scheduled four round 140-pound bout.

Rising prospect Alex Rincon (4-0, 4 KO’s) stopped Engelberto Valenzuela (11-14, 3 KO’s) in the first round of their scheduled four round 154 pound contest. Rincon scored two knockdowns with body shots that helped lead to the early conclusion of the contest.

In a scheduled four round heavyweight contest, Lawrence Gabriel (3-1-1, 2 KO’s) scored a second round knockout of Jimmy Levins (0-3). Gabriel, from nearby Syracuse, dominated Levins from the opening bell scoring two knockdowns in the contest to earn his second consecutive win by stoppage in less than a month at Turning Stone.

Isaac Rodriguez (25-2, 20 KO’s) stopped tough veteran Frankie Filippone (25-8-1, 9 KO’s) in the fourth round of their scheduled eight round light heavyweight bout. After starting strong, Filippone was caught with a crisp straight right hand that floored him in the fourth. Though Filippone would rise, Rodriguez quickly closed the show with a series of rights that forced the stoppage.

Armus Guyton (1-0) outworked Mike Diorio (0-1) to earn a unanimous four round decision in a battle of debuting local cruiserweights to open the card.

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Photo Credit: Matt Heasley – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions