Marquez beats Alvarado, Postol KO’s Aydin!
Photos by Art Gallegos Jr./Standnfight.com
It takes a lot to please Southern California fight fans, if there isn’t blood and knockdowns you can expect the boo birds to come singing. The rowdy crowd of 12090 boo’d through many of the undercard fights and by the time Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado took the stage at the historic Forum in L.A, the blood thirsty fans would settle for nothing less than an all out war.
It took a few rounds but the crowd got what they wanted.
The 40 year-old Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs) took the younger Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs) to school in the first half of the fight, throwing in combinations and dominating the action. In the eighth, the veteran turned up the heat and landed a huge right hand that sent Alvarado down and nearly out of the ring. Not to be outdone, the “Mile High” fighter came out in the ninth and floored Marquez with a short right hook. The two ended the ninth in a brutal exchange of punches. A bloody and swollen Alvarado finally started to let his hands go in the final rounds but was still getting outgunned by the technically better Marquez. After twelve rounds of action, all three judges would have Marquez ahead with scores of 117-109, 117-109 and 119-108.
“I expected a tough fight” said Marquez ” I always said, Alvarado was a strong fighter. He has a strong, fast right and he landed a solid right but I got up and finished the round strong”
“I didn’t step on the gas like I should have but it’s a learning experience” said Alvarado “I came back, knocked him down and showed some heart. It was just good a experience, fighting a legend in a place that is historic ”
With the win, Marquez becomes the mandatory for Manny Pacquiao’s WBO title but would not commit to saying if he would pursue a fifth fight with the Filipino superstar.
“First I will rest and be with my family. Then I will make a decision about a fifth fight” said Marquez.
Postol KOs Aydin in 11.
Undefeated Ukranian Viktor Postol (26-0, 11 KOs) scored a devastating KO victory over Selcuk Aydin (26-2, 18 KOs)in the eleventh round of a WBC super lightweight eliminator. A right uppercut during a flurry took the legs out from under Aydin who was pressing the action at the time. Aydin’s head snapped back and had referee Raul Caiz Jr. Waving it off as soon as he hit the canvas. Official time was 2:52.
On the undercard.
Undefeated super featherweight prospect Oscar Valdez (11-0, 10 KOs) punished Noel Echevarria (11-3, 6 KOs) over seven rounds to retain his NABF Jr. title. Valdez dominated the action and after a brutal seventh, Echeverria could not answer the bell for the final round. Referee Jarry Cantu waved it off at the request of Echeverria’s corner.
Lightweight Diego Magdaleno (25-1, 10 KOs) dominated Oscar Bravo (21-3, 9 KOs) and cruised to a unanimous decision after eight rounds. Magdaleno scored knockdown in the fourth but Bravo would survive and go the distance. All three judges would have Magdaleno far ahead with scores of 80- 71 twice and 79-72.
featherweight prospect Gabino Saenz (12-0-2, 9KOs) stopped Felix Perez (8-5, 3 KOs) inside three rounds to remain unbeaten. A body shot would render Perez immobile while referee Jack Reiss waved it off. Official time was1:29.
Super featherweight prospect Pedro Duran (6-0, 4 KOs) scored a first round knockout over Domonic Coca (8-7, 2 KOs) in a bout scheduled for four. A crippling body shot dropped Coca to his hands and knees and referee Thomas Taylor counted him out. Official time was 1:09.