Connect with us

Featured Articles

Ulysse, Franco and Marlen Esparza Win at Fantasy Springs 

Published

on

Ulysse

INDIO, Calif.-A Canadian civil war resumed between Montreal’s Yves Ulysse Jr. and Calgary’s Steve Claggett and this one took place 1400 miles south of their border on Thursday night in the Coachella desert.

It was 100 degrees outside.

Ulysse (18-1, 9 KOs) pulled out the win in this rematch with Claggett (27-6-2, 17 KOs) before a crowd of maybe 1,000 fans at Fantasy Springs Casino. An earlier clash between the two Canadians saw the Calgary fighter emerge with the win in 2017 in Montreal.

It wasn’t to be this time for Claggett who was the aggressor throughout the fight but was immediately tagged by slick combinations from Ulysse in the first round. It was a pattern that remained for most of the fight.

Ulysse usually backpedaled from danger but on occasion stood his ground and exchanged blows and deflections with Claggett that was reminiscent of 1950s style in-fighting. It was appropriate that James “Lights Out” Toney was in the audience this night because he’s one of the masters of that lost craft. Maybe the best ever.

After 10 rounds of exchanges in an ebb and flow fight the judges scored it 97-93 twice and 96-94 all for Ulysse who wins the vacant WBA interim super lightweight title.

Franco

In another rematch, Joshua Franco (15-1-1, 7 KOs) started slowly but finished strong in winning the NABF International bantamweight title by split decision over former titlist Oscar Negrete (18-2-1, 7 KOs) after 10 rounds.

The last time these two fighters met back in October it was like pouring gasoline to a fire and ended in a draw. This time the title match was more like a slow fuse that got tighter as the rounds mounted. Neither fighter was ever hurt but Franco’s combination punches seemed to be preferred over the single big blows by Negrete.

One judge saw it 98-92 for Negrete but the other two saw it 97-93 and 96-94 for Franco who becomes the new NABF titlist.

Return of Marlen

Marlen Esparza (6-0, 1 KO) returned to the boxing ring after having a baby a year ago and powered through Ecuador’s Jhosep Vizcaino (9-9, 3 KOs) with a truckload of rights to win the vacant NABO flyweight title by unanimous decision after eight rounds.

Esparza, 28, a 2012 US Olympic bronze medalist, returned to boxing with an immediate attack against veteran Vizcaino who was tentative at first, but mounted a rally in the second half of the fight. But none of the judges felt she did enough to win a round and all scored the fight 80-72 for Esparza.

“I felt really strong,” said Esparza, “It was hard to place my shots.”

Other Bouts

Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha (13-0, 8 KOs) battled Japan’s Shoki Sakai (23-10-2, 13 KOs) for 10 rounds to win by unanimous decision. No knockdowns were scored in the fight that featured the lefty Rocha against the counter-puncher Sakai in a welterweight fight. The Japanese fighter trains in Mexico City with Nacho Beristain but was too defensive to get the decision from the judges who scored it 99-91, 97-93 twice for Rocha who wins the WBC Continental Americas title with the win.

Former title challenger Mike Reed (24-2, 13 KOs) put a steady beating on Yardley Cruz (25-14,15 KOs) of Mexico in the first round and after 1:45 of the second round referee Eddie Hernandez had seen enough and stopped the one-sided super lightweight fight. Reed fights out of Washington D.C. and fought Juan Carlos Ramirez and lost a regional title against the current WBC super lightweight titlist. This was his first fight in more than a year.

Mexico’s Raul Curiel (6-0, 4 KOs) won by knockout over Indiana’s Andrew Rodgers when he could not answer the bell for the third round. During the first round Rodgers slipped at the edge of the canvas after an exchange of blows and seemed in pain. He hesitated to come out for the second round but managed to survive against Curiel’s attacks. At the end of the second round the fight was signaled over by referee Ray Corona.

“I hurt my knee when I slipped,” said Rodgers.

Coachella’s Anthony Reyes (6-0, 4 KOs) looked like he was knocked down by a left hook from Roberto Pucheta (10-16-1, 6 KOs) but it was ruled a slip in the second round. Reyes then proceeded to use his speed and out-connect the sturdy but slower Mexican fighter. After four rounds all three judges scored it 40-36 for Reyes in the featherweight match.

Photo credit: Alonzo Coston

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this story in The Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles5 days ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles1 week ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles6 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-NY-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles5 hours ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in NY plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles5 days ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles6 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles1 week ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending