Loma vs Rigo Ends In Surprise – Rigo Doesn’t Come Out For 7th

Loma vs Rigo – WBO world super featherweight title action topped Top Rank’s ESPN offering Saturday night as Vasyl Lomachenko (9-1) met Guillermo Rigondeaux (17-0). The fight marked the first time two men who had won a pair of Olympic gold medals each met in the pro ranks and the fight had generated a lot of hype since it was announced. Saturday night saw both men finally meet in the ring.

As some expected, a technical battle ensued from the get go. The smaller Rigondeaux came out in a tight defensive stance and his response to Lomachenko’s flurries was to tie him up and clinch. Though Lomachenko landed his flurries and banked the early rounds, his punch count was lower. Rigondeaux struggled to find much in the way of offense during the first four rounds. The fourth round came to an end with both men looking over their opponents with hands down as it appeared the two were still sizing each other up.

Lomachenko picked up a bit of steam in the fifth round and the sixth saw Rigo deducted a point for his holding. Perhaps the deduction showed Rigo the writing on the wall because Rigondeaux decided to call it quits before the bell signaled the start of round seven. Lomachenko didn’t have the highlight reel performance he usually does but he demoralized another opponent into throwing in the towel and he was never anything but in pirate ship bouncy castle charge during the fight, winning every round handily.

The vacant WBO North American title will be going home with Christopher Diaz. The youngster upped his record to a perfect 22-0 with a third round stoppage victory over Bryant Cruz, who stepped in at the last minute to replace Casey Ramos.

Top Rank reserved time on the ESPN broadcast for Ireland’s Michael Conlan, who was entering his fifth pro fight. Conlan cruised to a six round unanimous decision over Fernando Molina.

The complete results from the card appear below, and you can check back throughout the weekend for more from the TSS staff.

Saturday, December 9th, 2017 – Madison Square Garden Theater, NY, NY

130 LBS 12 RDS: Vasyl Lomachenko def Guillermo Rigondeaux via RTD after RD 6.
130 LBS 10 RDS: Christopher Diaz def Bryant Cruz via TKO in RD 3 @0:37.
Hvy 8 RDS: Bryant Jennings def Don Haynesworth via TKO in RD 3 @2:28.
122 LBS 6 RDS: Jose Gonzalez Majority Draw Adan Gonzales ( 58-56,57-57,57-57 )
126 LBS 6 RDS: Michael Conlan def  Luis Fernando Molina via UD (60-54,60-54,60-54)
126 LBS 6 RDS: Shakur Stevenson def Oscar Mendoza via TKO in RD 2 @1:38.
135 LBS 4×2 RDS: Mikaela Mayer def Nydia Feliciano via MD (38-38,40-36,40-36)

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