Wilfredo Vazquez vs Eloy Rojas - Showtime 5-18-96
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00:00:00Sherman Oaks, coming in June, only on Showtime.
00:00:05I love this family.
00:00:08Frankie Randall held the WBA junior welterweight title
00:00:11until he went head-to-head with Juan Cogi.
00:00:13Oh, my.
00:00:14Having won the bout on his back,
00:00:16some say Cogi should've gotten an Oscar instead of a belt.
00:00:19This guy here was chipped in.
00:00:20You know, this s**t has got to stop.
00:00:22Now it starts again.
00:00:23And this time, there'll be no excuses.
00:00:26And IBF welterweight champion, the hard-hitting Felix Trinidad
00:00:29makes his ninth title defense against veteran Freddie Pendleton.
00:00:32It's Cogi vs. Randall and Trinidad vs. Pendleton.
00:00:36Coming up next on Showtime Championship Boxing.
00:00:53Felix Tito Trinidad!
00:00:58He's a very good fighter.
00:01:01He's a vulnerable fighter.
00:01:02Oh, down goes Trinidad!
00:01:05I don't feel it's Freddie Pendleton.
00:01:07I'm pretty.
00:01:08I'm fast.
00:01:10I have good footwork.
00:01:12I can do the combination thing.
00:01:14I mean, it's all there.
00:01:16I've been sitting there thinking about this.
00:01:17Felix Trinidad, Freddie Pendleton fight.
00:01:21Everybody thinks that he's going to fight
00:01:23Colonel Whitaker, Terry Norris, Ike Quartey.
00:01:28But these fights will never come about.
00:01:30He's facing the fearless one, Freddie Pendleton.
00:01:35And once the fearless one drops the bomb,
00:01:38nobody's going to be standing, especially Felix Trinidad.
00:01:41No way.
00:01:43Undefeated Felix Trinidad, looking for his 25th knockout in 29 fights,
00:01:48is making his ninth title defense against top veteran,
00:01:52fearless Freddie Pendleton.
00:01:53It's Trinidad versus Pendleton for the IBF Welterweight Championship.
00:01:58And making his seventh title defense at 126 pounds,
00:02:01Eloy Rojas takes on former two-time champion Wilfredo Vasquez
00:02:06for the WBA featherweight championship.
00:02:10Live from the Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada,
00:02:12next on Showtime Championship Boxing.
00:02:22Welcome to the Grand Ballroom at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada,
00:02:26where tonight, Showtime Championship Boxing presents two world championship fights.
00:02:32First, the featherweights take center stage,
00:02:34and then the welterweights, featuring one of boxing's rising stars.
00:02:37A slick young powerhouse named Felix Trinidad
00:02:40is looking to explode through into superstar form.
00:02:44And he's going to do it.
00:02:45He's going to do it.
00:02:46He's going to do it.
00:02:47He's going to do it.
00:02:48He's going to do it.
00:02:49He's going to do it.
00:02:50Into superstardom.
00:02:53Originally, our main event was supposed to be Koji Rantle III,
00:02:57as Frankie the Surgeon Rantle was hoping to recapture
00:02:59the WBA junior welterweight title from Argentinian Juan Martin Koji,
00:03:03who took Rantle's crown in a highly disputed technical decision this past January.
00:03:08But this past Tuesday, just five days before the bout,
00:03:12Koji pulled out of the much-anticipated rematch because of a sinus infection,
00:03:16producing even more disappointment and frustration for Rantle,
00:03:19who was seeking sweet justice.
00:03:21More on that situation in a moment.
00:03:23So with Rantle and Koji out, our main event now shifts to Puerto Rican sensation
00:03:28Felix Trinidad, who makes his ninth defense of the IBF welterweight championship
00:03:31against veteran Freddie Pendleton.
00:03:35Hello again, everybody.
00:03:36I'm Steve Albert.
00:03:37Controversy, letdowns, and bizarre events are nothing new to Frankie Rantle.
00:03:41They seem to follow him everywhere.
00:03:43When they last met, Rantle, the only fighter ever to beat Julio Cesar Chavez,
00:03:47has lost to Koji on a technicality after an accidental headbutt in the fifth round.
00:03:51Rantle has now accused Koji of feigning illness to regain the title,
00:03:55which he was awarded after he was carried out on a stretcher.
00:03:59Rantle's probably had the worst luck of any fighter in recent memory.
00:04:03He's lost two world championships on headbutt technicalities,
00:04:06first to Chavez and again to Koji.
00:04:08Now to say that Rantle has been riding an emotional roller coaster
00:04:12is a monumental understatement.
00:04:18Oh, there goes Chavez for the first time in his career!
00:04:22And now it's goodbye title, Bobby.
00:04:24Winner and new champion, Frankie!
00:04:28Oh, look at this one!
00:04:31Chavez!
00:04:32It's a bad cut, a real bad cut.
00:04:36Winner and new champion, Frankie!
00:04:40Surprise win, goodbye title!
00:04:44Still bitter over his loss to Chavez,
00:04:46Rantle, in his next fight, met Juan Koji
00:04:49for the WBA junior welterweight championship.
00:04:54Koji winds up on the canvas!
00:04:57Seconds into the fight!
00:05:01Down he goes!
00:05:02The champion is on the deck for the second time in a row!
00:05:06There goes Koji again!
00:05:08Nothing but excitement!
00:05:10Exhilarated with his three knockdown victories
00:05:12and convinced his bad luck was now behind him,
00:05:16Rantle could never have predicted
00:05:18that history would soon repeat itself.
00:05:21Despite a strong start by Koji,
00:05:23Rantle had begun to dominate the bout
00:05:25when it happened again!
00:05:28Koji goes back to the corner!
00:05:31And goes down!
00:05:34If there's an accidental foul
00:05:36after the end of the third round
00:05:38then go to the scorecards!
00:05:40We are in the fifth!
00:05:42Rantle could lose his title
00:05:44for the second time
00:05:45on a headbutt technicality.
00:05:49Ladies and gentlemen,
00:05:51the judges had it scored unanimously
00:05:54in favor of the winner
00:05:56by way of technical decision
00:05:58and new champion,
00:06:00Juan Koji!
00:06:04This man had to turn around,
00:06:06walk to his corner,
00:06:07I know somewhere over there
00:06:08that somebody told him to fall down.
00:06:09If you would notice,
00:06:10here you got people celebrating,
00:06:11I hope this man is okay.
00:06:13If that was my fighter,
00:06:14I wouldn't be parading around
00:06:15in the ring with a belt
00:06:16and he's going out
00:06:17somewhere on the stretcher.
00:06:19Many agree with Rantle in his camp
00:06:20that Koji may have exaggerated
00:06:22his injury,
00:06:23especially since he was released
00:06:25from the hospital
00:06:26after only three hours
00:06:27with a clean bill of health.
00:06:29The bitter feelings
00:06:30and angry suspicions
00:06:31still linger today.
00:06:34As if the previous disappointments
00:06:35weren't enough,
00:06:36now this latest misfortune
00:06:37as Koji becomes a late scratch.
00:06:40With that, we welcome in the fight
00:06:41Dr. Ferdy Pacheco
00:06:42and Ferdy,
00:06:43as the old saying goes,
00:06:44if Frankie Rantle didn't have
00:06:45bad luck,
00:06:46he'd have no luck at all.
00:06:47Tough break.
00:06:48Well, I think
00:06:49that's the toughest series
00:06:50of breaks
00:06:51which meant more
00:06:52to him professionally
00:06:53and financially
00:06:54than any boxer
00:06:55I can remember
00:06:56in all my almost 40 years
00:06:57in boxing
00:06:58and I hope
00:06:59that this doesn't affect
00:07:00Frankie Rantle
00:07:01in an adverse way.
00:07:02He's a very good fighter.
00:07:03He's bordering
00:07:04on a great fighter.
00:07:05He beat Chavez.
00:07:06I hope this doesn't
00:07:07discourage him so much
00:07:08that he gets out of training
00:07:09and so forth.
00:07:10I hope that Frankie
00:07:11gets back
00:07:12in line
00:07:13and you will fight Koji
00:07:14and you will fight
00:07:15other fighters.
00:07:16I think Frankie
00:07:17should not give up.
00:07:18So once again,
00:07:19Frankie Rantle
00:07:20is stranded.
00:07:21His opportunity
00:07:22to regain the WBA
00:07:23junior welterweight title
00:07:24in his grudge match
00:07:25with Juan Koji
00:07:26is denied.
00:07:27Here's what was said
00:07:28this week
00:07:29in Las Vegas
00:07:30about tonight's
00:07:31cancellation.
00:07:32About 10 days ago
00:07:33I was training
00:07:34in Argentina
00:07:35and became sick.
00:07:36My doctor gave me
00:07:37antibiotics.
00:07:38Since then
00:07:40I had to stop training.
00:07:41I came to Las Vegas
00:07:42to get a checkup here
00:07:43to see what
00:07:44the Olympic Commission
00:07:45doctor had to say.
00:07:46I evaluated Juan
00:07:47and found that
00:07:48indeed he did have
00:07:49acute sinusitis.
00:07:50Was still having
00:07:51symptoms including
00:07:52headaches
00:07:53from the problem.
00:07:54They brought with
00:07:55him a CAT scan
00:07:56of the brain
00:07:57and a CAT scan
00:07:58of the sinuses
00:07:59and it was well
00:08:00documented
00:08:01that that was
00:08:02a problem.
00:08:03When Frank
00:08:04heard the news
00:08:05he was just
00:08:06totally distraught.
00:08:07He was devastated
00:08:08and he's like
00:08:09walking in
00:08:10a state of shock
00:08:11like a zombie
00:08:12he's just
00:08:13he's tore up
00:08:14I've never seen him
00:08:15so devastated
00:08:16in all the years
00:08:17that I've known.
00:08:18It's very important
00:08:19to win in life
00:08:20to have
00:08:21everything in place
00:08:22and if I lose
00:08:23he would have
00:08:24beaten the best
00:08:25Koji
00:08:26and
00:08:27not the worst
00:08:28Koji.
00:08:29I believe Juan
00:08:30Koji is fine
00:08:31I don't believe
00:08:32he has a headache
00:08:33I think he's a coward
00:08:34and Frankie Randall
00:08:35believes he's a coward
00:08:36and when we get him
00:08:37in the ring
00:08:38we do as much damage
00:08:39as we can
00:08:40now Frankie wants
00:08:41to hurt him
00:08:42and hurt him
00:08:43in a very bad way.
00:08:44Strong words
00:08:45Frankie Randall
00:08:46left out
00:08:47in disgust
00:08:48and disillusionment
00:08:49over this latest
00:08:50turn of events
00:08:51he did not want
00:08:52to appear
00:08:53in front of our
00:08:54cameras
00:08:55as his mission
00:08:56was aborted
00:08:57unable to avenge
00:08:58his controversial
00:08:59defeat to Juan
00:09:00Koji
00:09:01here tonight.
00:09:02As we bring
00:09:03in our other
00:09:04partner Bobby
00:09:05Chez
00:09:06and Bobby
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00:16:24This afternoon, Chez told SportsCenter that his back was indeed sore,
00:16:28but his eyes began burning as early as the third round.
00:16:31Chez said it was his trainer's decision to stop the fight because of the eyes,
00:16:35a decision he supported.
00:16:37The trainer, Tommy Parks, told us,
00:16:39quote,
00:16:40Whatever you hear on the tape is fine with me.
00:16:41My comment is no comment.
00:16:43The New York State Athletic Commission, which has already impounded Holyfield's gloves,
00:16:46will now have another look at the tape you just saw.
00:16:50Well, from listening to that exchange,
00:16:52many people have concluded that Bobby and his trainer conspired to stop the fight.
00:16:56Bobby, your reaction?
00:16:57Well, for what reason?
00:16:58What possible opportunity could be better by stopping the fight,
00:17:01not going on and maybe having a chance to win?
00:17:03I don't think that there's any reason I would conspire to stop the fight.
00:17:06The conversation you saw on the tape, unfortunately,
00:17:08is just the tail end of an ongoing conversation from the fourth round
00:17:11and also the full fifth round.
00:17:13Tommy and I had a little bit of a problem.
00:17:14He hit me with a big shot in the back, a big left hook,
00:17:16but he hit me in the back of my hip.
00:17:18What I told Tommy was to massage my lower back because I've had a problem with it,
00:17:21and it makes me paranoid a little bit and sometimes a little too cautious,
00:17:24but also the eyes were constantly burning.
00:17:26After the fourth round, Tommy says,
00:17:27your eyes are getting worse.
00:17:28In the fifth round, a white pussy substance started coming out of the corners of my eyes
00:17:31on top of very badly blurred vision in my left eye.
00:17:34I thought Tommy was stopping the fight because of my back,
00:17:37because of what happened to us in the Isaguirre fight.
00:17:39He said it was the eyes, and some of that is a little confusing
00:17:41because I'm asking questions, not making statements,
00:17:44and Tommy said, no, I'm not stopping because of your back,
00:17:47Tommy's like my father.
00:17:48He doesn't want to see me get hurt.
00:17:49It was his decision.
00:17:50He could see things I can't.
00:17:52I really wanted just one more round to try and take his head off,
00:17:54but it was asking too much.
00:17:57So, honestly, did you want to continue?
00:17:59I would have liked to, but I also realized that it was not a bright move,
00:18:03but there's a fighter inside you that wants to go
00:18:06and at all costs wants to take a shot.
00:18:08Evander's a great fighter, and as it was,
00:18:09I was losing four rounds to one by the judges,
00:18:11and I knew that I had to get past the fifth round if I was going to be effective
00:18:15and have a chance of taking him down late if he got tired,
00:18:17if he underestimated me a little bit,
00:18:19and also that if I go ten full rounds with a former undisputed
00:18:22and two-time heavyweight champion of the world,
00:18:23I'm immediately rated the top ten,
00:18:25which is what my goals were if I didn't beat him.
00:18:28If there was nothing on Holyfield's gloves,
00:18:30what was the cause of the blurred vision?
00:18:32I can't explain it.
00:18:33One of the announcers for the other network said it might be sweat, my eyes.
00:18:36I deal with sweat every day in the gym.
00:18:37I've been boxing for 24 years.
00:18:38I know the difference between sweat and something that's legitimately
00:18:41a foreign substance in my eyes and on my face.
00:18:44Three days after the fight, my entire face started peeling,
00:18:46my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, and my nose.
00:18:49The skin peeled off of me.
00:18:50I went back to the doctors.
00:18:51Three doctors examined me after the fight,
00:18:53and they said they all agreed that there was a foreign substance
00:18:56in my eyes and on my skin, and I went back for a further examination.
00:18:59Two of those same doctors, a facial plastic surgeon,
00:19:02and an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon,
00:19:05and both of them said there was no question in their mind
00:19:07that something was on my face and in my eyes.
00:19:09Finally, where do you go from here?
00:19:10Will you continue to fight?
00:19:12Well, I hope that we get a fair shake with the gloves
00:19:14and the impounding of the gloves and checking of the gloves.
00:19:16We don't know what happens.
00:19:17If something's on those gloves,
00:19:18obviously there's a lot of legal ramifications surrounding it,
00:19:21but there's no closure this way to me, for me, to my career,
00:19:24and I want to fight again, no question about it.
00:19:26All right, Bob.
00:19:27Now let's turn our attention back to tonight's fights.
00:19:29First up in our opening bout, it'll be Eloy Rojas
00:19:31versus Wilfredo Vazquez for the WBA featherweight championship.
00:19:35Rojas has held the title since December of 1993,
00:19:38while Vazquez will be gunning for his third world title.
00:19:43Back to the fight, Dr. Ferdy Pacheco.
00:19:44What about the style and experience of Rojas?
00:19:47Rojas brings everything to this fight.
00:19:49He's taller, he's younger, he's got a better record,
00:19:51got a very long jab.
00:19:52He knows how to use it.
00:19:53The only negative was he hadn't been knocking out people
00:19:55after whirlwind beginning.
00:19:57He knocked out the first 22 guys, hurt his right hand.
00:19:59It's been operated on this last year.
00:20:01He told us it's perfect.
00:20:03Now the bad news is that he's not only got a great jab,
00:20:06but he's got a right hand to follow.
00:20:08It may be an interesting but short evening.
00:20:10Like Bobby Chez, Wilfredo Vazquez,
00:20:12the former junior featherweight champ,
00:20:14has moved up in weight.
00:20:15Tonight he challenges for the featherweight title.
00:20:17Bobby, your take on Vazquez.
00:20:19Even though Vazquez has more experience, has more fights,
00:20:22he hasn't had more experience at this weight.
00:20:24The first and foremost thing you should deal with
00:20:26is the punching power at this weight.
00:20:27He feels he's punching stronger.
00:20:29He's a better puncher at this weight,
00:20:30but he's coming up and someone else has already been here
00:20:32and existing and maintaining good, strong, solid weight.
00:20:35I think that's going to be his biggest challenge.
00:20:37All right, let's take a look at the challenger,
00:20:3934-year-old Wilfredo Vazquez,
00:20:41the WBA's number one contender
00:20:43and a two-time world champion at Abayamon, Puerto Rico.
00:20:46Tonight, his 16th world title fight.
00:20:48He's 11-3-1 in those fights.
00:20:51All right, all right.
00:21:21Let's go!
00:21:22Let's go!
00:21:23Let's go!
00:21:24Let's go!
00:21:25Let's go!
00:21:26Let's go!
00:21:27Let's go!
00:21:28Let's go!
00:21:29Let's go!
00:21:30Let's go!
00:21:31Let's go!
00:21:32Let's go!
00:21:33Let's go!
00:21:34Let's go!
00:21:35Let's go!
00:21:36Let's go!
00:21:37Let's go!
00:21:38Let's go!
00:21:39Let's go!
00:21:40Let's go!
00:21:41Let's go!
00:21:42Let's go!
00:21:43Let's go!
00:21:44Let's go!
00:21:45Let's go!
00:21:46Let's go!
00:21:47Let's go!
00:21:48Let's go!
00:21:49Let's go!
00:21:50Let's go!
00:21:51Let's go!
00:21:52Let's go!
00:21:53Let's go!
00:21:54Yeah!
00:21:55Let's go!
00:21:56Let's go!
00:21:57Let's go yap!
00:21:58Yeah!
00:21:59Let's go!
00:22:00Yeah!
00:22:01Yeah!
00:22:02Let's go!
00:22:03Let's go!
00:22:04Let's go!
00:22:05Let's go!
00:22:06Let's go!
00:22:07Yeah!
00:22:08Let's go!
00:22:09And Llanos in the basket.
00:22:10And again for that 18-7 Victor Ajax lead
00:22:11by 14th a game, 11-5.
00:22:12And Joshadson has the corner.
00:22:13He's at the pole 0-6.
00:22:14And we have to close out that game today.
00:22:15Times like these, Troy, with a 14-1 win!
00:22:16Coach has the heart of the game.
00:22:17He won the rematch two years
00:22:18later again in Korea by
00:22:19decision.
00:22:20Rojas making his seventh defense
00:22:21of the WBA featherweight
00:22:22championship in this his Las
00:22:24Vegas debut and only his second
00:22:26fight on American soil.
00:22:28Let's run down the numbers as we
00:22:29take a look at the tail of the
00:22:30tape at thirty four.
00:22:31Vasquez is five years older than
00:22:33Rojas Rojas with the three and a
00:22:35half inch height advantage Rojas
00:22:37just under the weight limit
00:22:38Vasquez right in at one twenty
00:22:39six.
00:22:40The big factor Rojas with the
00:22:41whopping seven inch reach
00:22:44advantage.
00:22:44And of the WBA rules for this
00:22:45world title fight scoring is by
00:22:47the 10 point plus system.
00:22:49There are three scoring judges
00:22:50no standing eight count.
00:22:51The three knockdown rule is in
00:22:53effect.
00:22:54Only the referee can stop the
00:22:55fight.
00:22:55A fighter cannot be saved by the
00:22:56bell except in the last round.
00:22:58If an accidental foul occurs
00:23:00before the end of the fourth
00:23:01round it's ruled a technical
00:23:03draw.
00:23:04If it happens after the
00:23:05completion of the fourth round
00:23:06they go to the scorecards only
00:23:08completed rounds are scored.
00:23:10So the WBA rules are the same
00:23:12as the WBA rules for the
00:23:14World Series.
00:23:15So here at the grand ballroom of
00:23:17the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas
00:23:18set for our co-feature the WBA
00:23:20featherweight championship.
00:23:22Eloy Rojas will pray to Vasquez.
00:23:24Let's get the formal
00:23:25introductions from our ring
00:23:26announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.
00:23:30Ladies and gentlemen a very good
00:23:33evening to you and we welcome
00:23:35you to the beautiful Mirage
00:23:36Resort here in Las Vegas Nevada.
00:23:39And we have a big action coming
00:23:40away and it's all brought to you
00:23:41by the WBA and the Mirage along
00:23:44with Las Vegas must be no call
00:23:47or not.
00:23:48This man coming your way is
00:23:49sanctioned by the World Boxing
00:23:51Association.
00:23:52The president Gilberto Mendoza
00:23:54supervisor Renzo Bamberrio
00:23:57along with the Nevada State
00:23:59Athletic Commission the chairman
00:24:01Dr. James May be introducing to
00:24:04you the judges scoring this man
00:24:06from ringside Dave Guillermo
00:24:10Oscar and a referee in charge of
00:24:14this bad he'll be working in
00:24:15this his twenty ninth world
00:24:17title bout Mitch Halpern here we
00:24:22go with the WBA featherweight
00:24:25championship of the world
00:24:27scheduled for twelve rounds of
00:24:29boxing introducing to you first
00:24:32the challenger on my right
00:24:34fighting out of the blue corner
00:24:37he is wearing red with a white
00:24:39and blue trim and his income by
00:24:42a more Puerto Rico he weighed in
00:24:46at the featherweight limit of
00:24:47one hundred twenty six pounds
00:24:49his record stands at forty six
00:24:51wins seven losses and three
00:24:54draws with thirty five wins
00:24:57coming by way of knockout he is
00:24:59ranked the WBA number one
00:25:01featherweight contender here is
00:25:03the two time champion of the
00:25:04world attempting to capture his
00:25:06third WBA crown introducing and
00:25:10a run on Puerto Rican you will
00:25:14play the world champion fighting
00:25:29out of the red corner he is
00:25:31wearing white trunks tonight and
00:25:33fighting out of and representing
00:25:36Caracas Venezuela he weighed in
00:25:39at a ready one hundred twenty
00:25:41five and one half pounds his
00:25:43outstanding record includes
00:25:44thirty three wins only one
00:25:47defeat one draw and twenty five
00:25:50big wins coming by way of
00:25:52knockout tonight he is making
00:25:53the seventh defense of his title
00:25:55they're producing the defending
00:25:57WBA featherweight champion of
00:25:59the world once again he is our
00:26:10referee in charge and now to
00:26:11give instructions.
00:26:12Mitch Harper will go get you
00:26:29stuff at all time.
00:26:30They might have it all the time
00:26:32any questions.
00:26:33That's a touch.
00:26:39This one has the elements the
00:26:41the radiance of a good competitive fight in terms of the two fighters' strategy.
00:26:46The champion Rojas told us yesterday that he's usually taller than his opponents, therefore
00:26:51he prefers fighting from a middle to long distance, especially with his long arms, and
00:26:55in contrast, Vazquez told us he intends to get inside almost glued to Rojas' body, trying
00:27:00not to give Rojas a chance to use his technique, his range, and his good reach advantage.
00:27:06If Vazquez can do that, he's got a great chance here because he can bang.
00:27:09Remember, this guy's going for a triple title, a third title, this is no jump here, this
00:27:13is a guy that's been championed twice and can bang hard, so he's trying to be the third
00:27:18Wilfredo to have three titles for Puerto Rico.
00:27:21Rojas in the multicolored trunks of Vazquez in the red with the white trim, Rojas says
00:27:2725 KOs in his 33 wins in his last four have gone the distance, he said that was because
00:27:32of an injured right hand, a tendon popped out of place, he had surgery to correct it,
00:27:37and a year ago he says he's okay now.
00:27:39Vazquez started on the outside just trying to gauge the jab of Rojas and then he started
00:27:44to charge.
00:27:45Bobby, that was a charge he told us he was going to do as soon as he gets in close, he's
00:27:48going to run in and punch to the body, and he's done it twice now since the round just started.
00:27:54Rojas said that if Vazquez does come in as he planned to, he'll use his legs to back
00:27:58out, Rojas told us the longer reach and faster hands will keep Vazquez off of him, and in
00:28:05terms of the step up in weight, this is Vazquez's first title shot at 126, but he says at this
00:28:10weight he can score a knockout with one punch, saying he's much stronger now, if he connects
00:28:15he'll knock him out.
00:28:17There's no doubt he's a pretty good puncher, you can see that in his record, but he too
00:28:20has been stopped twice, two separate occasions, once very early, once for the later rounds,
00:28:25Rojas never stopped.
00:28:27We'll see what kind of shot he gives with that right hand, Rojas, because Rojas up to
00:28:32this point has been fighting a one-armed fight for the last four fights in which they were
00:28:36all decisions, he didn't get a knockout.
00:28:38Now let's see what happens when he throws the right.
00:28:40He just threw it as he spoke, he didn't like it.
00:28:42He did it again.
00:28:45Rojas in the gold, blue, red and white, Vazquez boring in, Rojas punching out, Rojas feels
00:28:52that Vazquez is near the end of his career along with the move up in weight pick factors
00:28:57he says, he says there are no easy fights, but I'm not threatened by Vazquez, I just
00:29:02can't see getting beat, he's extremely confident.
00:29:06Bobby, he's dropping that right hand like it doesn't bother him at all.
00:29:09Yeah, it doesn't seem to be any ill effects, throwing a decent left hook underneath there
00:29:13so it's right to the body.
00:29:14Tell you what, Vazquez is going to have to stay really close to him and work that body
00:29:18and rip up with the uppercuts, he can't let that long range get him to be a player, but
00:29:22I'll tell you what, he's got that right hand zoned in on him.
00:29:27Three and a half inch height advantage, seven inch reach advantage for the champion Rojas.
00:29:33Rojas is some good boxing, he's putting together beautiful combinations.
00:29:37Alfredo, I'm afraid he's got a big hill in front of him with this big tall guy.
00:29:4520 seconds remaining in the opening round scheduled for 12 for the WBA featherweight championship.
00:29:50Vazquez looking to dig for the body, Mitch Halpern, the third man in the ring as we head
00:30:01for the bell.
00:30:03Those are effective punches by Roy Rojas.
00:30:20I've got him, I've got him.
00:30:50I've got him, I've got him.
00:30:51I've got him.
00:30:52I've got him.
00:30:53I've got him.
00:30:54I've got him.
00:30:55I've got him.
00:30:56I've got him.
00:30:57I've got him.
00:30:58I've got him.
00:30:59I've got him.
00:31:00I've got him.
00:31:01I've got him.
00:31:02I've got him.
00:31:03I've got him.
00:31:04I've got him.
00:31:05I've got him.
00:31:06I've got him.
00:31:07I've got him.
00:31:08I've got him.
00:31:09I've got him.
00:31:10I've got him.
00:31:11I've got him.
00:31:12I've got him.
00:31:13I've got him.
00:31:14I've got him.
00:31:15I've got him.
00:31:16I've got him.
00:31:17I've got him.
00:31:18I've got him.
00:31:19I've got him.
00:31:20I've got him.
00:31:21I've got him.
00:31:22I've got him.
00:31:23I've got him.
00:31:24I've got him.
00:31:25I've got him.
00:31:26I've got him.
00:31:27I've got him.
00:31:28I've got him.
00:31:29I've got him.
00:31:30I've got him.
00:31:31I've got him.
00:31:32I've got him.
00:31:33I've got him.
00:31:34I've got him.
00:31:35I've got him.
00:31:36I've got him.
00:31:37I've got him.
00:31:38I've got him.
00:31:39I've got him.
00:31:40I've got him.
00:31:41I've got him.
00:31:42I've got him.
00:31:43I've got him.
00:31:44I've got him.
00:31:45I've got him.
00:31:46I've got him.
00:31:47I've got him.
00:31:48I think he's about the same age as me too, it's scary.
00:31:55Well, he's stuck there trying to get in close, you've got to give him credit, he's swallowing
00:32:04his corners.
00:32:05He's getting close and then come up to the body, there's the body shot, another one,
00:32:17another one, body in behind, Rojas right off the top of the head, a low blow there by Vazquez,
00:32:26getting warned by Halpert.
00:32:29Notice for a tall man too, Rojas throws a lot of body points.
00:32:33Beautiful.
00:32:34Good leverage.
00:32:35Beautiful.
00:32:36Halfway through the second round, short, crisp uppercuts by Rojas, Halpert cautions Vazquez
00:32:45for the low blows, I'm afraid we're going to see a lot of that, the guy that's low,
00:32:48and there's another tall guy in front of him, you're going to see a lot of low punches,
00:32:51can't help it.
00:32:53Rojas, the champion, 5'8 and a half, Vazquez, 5'5.
00:32:56Let him up, don't push, don't push, let him up, don't push, don't push.
00:33:03Vazquez came, comes right back in.
00:33:08Vazquez keeping him right to the prescription, I mean that's just what they told him to do,
00:33:12stick close, rip to the body.
00:33:14Vazquez does have power in both hands, he does have a destructive right,
00:33:18and a sledgehammer left, very economical.
00:33:21Here's Vazquez with a powerful left hook and out of the body.
00:33:25Bobby, both guys are pounding the body, who do you think is more effective in their body shots?
00:33:30You know, Rojas seems to get better leverage on his shots,
00:33:32but there's a lot less ground to cover for the smaller Vazquez.
00:33:35I think what Vazquez has to do is as he throws one, two, or three in the body,
00:33:38turn that right up with uppercuts and hooks to the chin,
00:33:41and finally the body to the head.
00:33:44He's throwing multis to the body, though, he's not going up to the head.
00:33:47Good straight right by Vazquez, that's sure got Eloy.
00:33:50Attention.
00:33:52Another warning for low blows, he can't help it.
00:33:57Final seconds of round two, Vazquez really coming on against the champion Rojas.
00:34:12Good shot.
00:34:33Remarkable, not one word is exchanged.
00:34:37Well, let's take a look at that low blow,
00:34:40because that's one of those things we're going to see over and over again
00:34:43with a guy this tall in front of a guy this short.
00:34:46Watch it in detail as he swings.
00:34:48He's been doing this all round, though, I mean, this doesn't have to be a bad one, a slight one.
00:34:51There, that's right under that yellow and in the blue.
00:34:54And here comes the warning.
00:34:56I hope they don't take the point off, Bobby, on an important fight like this,
00:35:00because they don't mean to do that, and it's, well, you just can't help it
00:35:04I couldn't help but notice in Rojas' corner he's almost smiling.
00:35:08Well, that certainly didn't say anything.
00:35:10I don't think I've ever seen a corner where you can go back and nobody does anything.
00:35:14It's a little iconic.
00:35:16Round three, Vazquez has been digging to the body,
00:35:19but at only 5'5", some of his shots have hit low,
00:35:23and you said how important this fight is, not only is it for a championship,
00:35:26but the winner could get a possible shot at Chris Nassir Hamed.
00:35:31Vazquez very busy as is Rojas.
00:35:40Now, both of them told us that they're going to fight Boone Boone Johnson in the interview,
00:35:44and it seems people don't know him yet here.
00:35:47I mean, we are going to meet him in a couple of weeks, and he is very good,
00:35:50but I'm going to tell you, I don't know if he's ready for this kind of competition.
00:35:53The boy's got it. The boy is very good.
00:35:55We saw Tom Boone Boone Johnson on Showtime in England,
00:35:59not that long ago, and he was quite impressive.
00:36:02Yeah, he's the best kept secret in boxing.
00:36:04He's a terrific fighter, a big heart, a lot of stamina and guts.
00:36:07I love Boone Boone Johnson.
00:36:09The American public gets to know him, they're going to love him.
00:36:12They're a little bit surprised that Rojas is staying in so close to him.
00:36:17Oh, that was a great combination by Vazquez.
00:36:20Another right hook by Vazquez, who's landing repeatedly.
00:36:25Rojas not sticking to the game plan.
00:36:27He told us he wouldn't, and you're right, Bobby.
00:36:29Vazquez airing it out.
00:36:31He's not using the jab, he's not using his range.
00:36:33He's really staying way too close, giving every opportunity to Vazquez.
00:36:36He's not using his range, that's what he's not using.
00:36:38He told us he wouldn't get the shootout in close.
00:36:40He told us he wouldn't let that happen. Well, he did.
00:36:42He's let it happen right now, and it's Vazquez's advantage.
00:36:45There it goes again, a combination by Vazquez,
00:36:48landing to the head of the candidate Rojas.
00:36:51Vazquez showing you what kind of a battler he is.
00:36:53That's why he got to be two-time world champion.
00:36:57Moving up to 126, but having no adverse effects whatsoever.
00:37:04And Lloyd not using his head, choosing to stand there and battle with a smaller man.
00:37:08Unbelievable.
00:37:10Neither man refusing to back up, both coming forward.
00:37:14Now, more of the combination to Rojas is going artly in this game.
00:37:18A wild swing and a miss from Vazquez, but then he landed with the overhand clap.
00:37:23Keep it up, Rene, keep it up.
00:37:27Some savage punches going on in there. Savage punches.
00:37:31Vazquez just blocking shots off the head of Rojas.
00:37:34Well, they're in there short and brutal.
00:37:40Well, this is tough competition between these two men.
00:37:43Really hard rock fighting here.
00:37:53We approach the final ten seconds of round three.
00:37:59Oh, Vazquez, ducking up.
00:38:01What a big hook that is, moving the body right back up top to the head.
00:38:05Could have won the round for him.
00:38:23Now they're telling him, walk back.
00:38:25Watch when you're walking back.
00:38:27Don't stand with him.
00:38:32All right, let's take a look at these early combinations.
00:38:35I mean, this guy is really putting in the shots.
00:38:37Vazquez is putting in these clean shots.
00:38:39This wasn't a round for him, I think, Bobby.
00:38:41Take a look at the second one, Bobby.
00:38:43Later in the round, you see up on the inside,
00:38:45a combination of the two men that missed with that big right hand on the end.
00:38:48Clean, clean.
00:38:50And here's the end of the round where I think he won the round decisively
00:38:53because of this punch.
00:38:55I mean, this came, wow, winging in there.
00:38:57I'll tell you what, some jaw on this Rojas.
00:39:00Some jaw on him.
00:39:02He's smiling after that round.
00:39:04No, and they told him to back up.
00:39:06They told him, don't stand there with this guy.
00:39:08Round four, scheduled for 12th of the WBA featherweight championship in round three.
00:39:12Vazquez repeatedly showed Rojas how badly he wants this title.
00:39:18He connected with numerous good hooks.
00:39:20Watch for that as we enter here in round number four.
00:39:23Now, you have to take into account,
00:39:25here's a guy that's used to being the smaller man in the ring,
00:39:28so he's fighting, he's used to it.
00:39:30This taller man thought, boy, this is going to be easy.
00:39:32It ain't easy.
00:39:33It's not easy at all.
00:39:34Vazquez is right at his feet.
00:39:36Vazquez continues to apply the pressure.
00:39:41Ripping to the body.
00:39:43Vazquez, well-disciplined.
00:39:45Excellent tools as we are seeing.
00:39:47Combinations, uppercuts, overhead shots, hooks.
00:39:51He's got some repertoire.
00:39:52He's the challenger.
00:39:56You see how Eloy is falling back?
00:39:58You see how Rojas is falling back and fighting?
00:40:00That's what the corner told him to do.
00:40:02And Vazquez also, you see,
00:40:04he's got a lot of stamina.
00:40:06He's got a lot of stamina.
00:40:08He's got a lot of stamina.
00:40:10He's got a lot of stamina.
00:40:12Vazquez also displaying the defense.
00:40:14Deflecting punches with his arms and his elbow.
00:40:20Yeah, but even as he fights going backwards,
00:40:22even with maybe a couple more blows,
00:40:24the punches aren't as hard.
00:40:25You can't punch as hard going backwards.
00:40:29Both fighters continue to come forward.
00:40:33And we repeat, there's nothing wrong with the right hand of Rojas.
00:40:36He's throwing it with full force.
00:40:39Now, there's a warning to Rojas.
00:40:41One warning apiece.
00:40:43That even cleans up.
00:40:45Rojas had the surgery on the right hand a year ago,
00:40:47but everything's okay.
00:40:53His last four fights have gone the distance.
00:40:57After many knockouts,
00:41:00Vazquez looking for the knockout here.
00:41:03And Rojas doing much better now from the outside,
00:41:06which was his fight.
00:41:07The fight he thought he was going to fight.
00:41:10Vazquez taking off a little time in there.
00:41:12Not really working too hard then.
00:41:14Deluding when he sees the opportunity to fight.
00:41:17You know, Bobby, I think it's not a question of not working hard.
00:41:19I think he just can't find the guy.
00:41:20The guy's backing up and punching and punching.
00:41:22Fighting a superior fight right now in this ring.
00:41:25Takes a lot of energy to keep moving and fighting,
00:41:27turning on your feet like that, changing directions.
00:41:36Thirty seconds in round four.
00:41:38Vazquez continues to get inside and underneath.
00:41:43There's a beautiful left uppercut by Vazquez.
00:41:46A couple of the first really good shots
00:41:48while Corral landed the whole round.
00:41:50Another guy's been fighting his fight.
00:41:52And Rojas has been fighting his fight.
00:41:55How much has it taken out of him?
00:41:57In four rounds, how much will it drain him?
00:41:59Watch his head.
00:42:00That's the question.
00:42:02He may have begun his strategy too late.
00:42:05Fists there by Vazquez.
00:42:06They continue after the bell.
00:42:11Coming up later here at the barrage,
00:42:13our main event as we take you behind the scenes
00:42:15into the dressing room of IBF welterweight champ
00:42:17Felix Trinidad,
00:42:18who has such a mature, composed personality
00:42:22for such a young man.
00:42:23He's been brought along very well.
00:42:25A succession of difficult fights.
00:42:27Some strong tests escalating in quality.
00:42:30He was already being labeled a budding superstar
00:42:33about five, six fights into the career.
00:42:35And he has not let the pressure get to him.
00:42:39The entourage, the people of Felix Trinidad
00:42:42urging him on.
00:42:43Fight fans think it's about time
00:42:45for him to start scaling the bigger mountains.
00:42:50Let's take a look at that little uppercut
00:42:51which lifted the head of Alloy.
00:42:55There it is, right there.
00:42:57Nice. Not enough.
00:42:58Not enough to win that round.
00:42:59I got this thing even.
00:43:00I don't know. I've got it dead.
00:43:02Actually, I've got it three to one.
00:43:04The second round was very, very close.
00:43:05But I thought it was broad.
00:43:06I did just enough to win this round.
00:43:07Three to one.
00:43:08Who's favorite?
00:43:09Champion.
00:43:11Round five.
00:43:12One third of the way through the scheduled distance.
00:43:15And it looks like Rojas is ahead by a couple of points.
00:43:21Who knows?
00:43:22Here in Las Vegas.
00:43:23I got it dead easy.
00:43:24I've just got his performance.
00:43:26I've got him put on a second, third round.
00:43:28That's good.
00:43:29Well, as we all know, it's so subjective.
00:43:31But it looks like Rojas is beginning to come on board here now
00:43:35and fight his way from the outside.
00:43:38Rojas just got hit with a really good knee right here.
00:43:45Vasquez showing his reach there with a long, straight left hand.
00:43:49But unfortunately for him, Rojas was batting away, not coming in.
00:43:55Slapping left hook by Vasquez.
00:43:57Going low is Vasquez.
00:43:58Another warning.
00:43:59That's the second one from Alfredo.
00:44:03Vasquez, the former WBA junior featherweight and WBA pantyweight.
00:44:08Held the junior featherweight crown for three years.
00:44:11At least the two quality fighters in this is a very good fight.
00:44:14It's a very even fight.
00:44:17Slight edge one way or another.
00:44:19Boy, I'm the first.
00:44:20The seventh title defense for Eloy Rojas.
00:44:23In the gold, blue, red, and white trunks.
00:44:27Again, they expand to the center of the ring.
00:44:30Toe to toe.
00:44:32Rojas is either just sure about how he's got to get rid of the shorter man,
00:44:37sure that he can apply the pressure, use his leverage.
00:44:39Otherwise, I don't know why he would stay so close.
00:44:42Compromise his reach.
00:44:43Get hit with some of those big shots.
00:44:45Maybe it is what you said, Bobby.
00:44:46Fighting back, you get a little tired, and then you stand still.
00:44:48When you stand still, here's that little animal in front of you.
00:44:51I mean, this guy is a machine.
00:44:53Vasquez is a little machine of energy once he gets in close.
00:44:57Right now, Vasquez appears to have the heavier hand.
00:45:00Even though he's a smaller, so-called smaller man.
00:45:08Furious exchange here on the inside here at round five.
00:45:14Non-stop.
00:45:17Rojas looking to tee off with one punch.
00:45:19Here comes Vasquez with a left hook, but a glancing blow.
00:45:26Vasquez bumping off the ropes, but he's getting bored.
00:45:30Down here to the champion.
00:45:35He's got the bigger shots.
00:45:37One punch like that.
00:45:38Bigger, but he's not landing more.
00:45:41He's got the bigger shots.
00:45:43One punch like that.
00:45:44Bigger, but he's not landing more.
00:45:46Difficult fight to score.
00:45:48He fights well off the ropes, Bobby.
00:45:50Both these guys are good champions.
00:45:51They fight well off the ropes, but Vasquez needs to get in close,
00:45:54so he's happy to be there.
00:45:55He's happy to get in close.
00:45:57Final seconds of round five.
00:46:01I think that's the equation.
00:46:03If you're in close, it's Vasquez who's getting the advantage.
00:46:06Vasquez landing some hard punches there at the end.
00:46:16Well, our featured attraction, we go backstage into the dressing room
00:46:19of former IVF Lightweight Champion, Luis Freddy Peralta,
00:46:22who will take on Trinidad later.
00:46:25He's five and one since losing the title to Rafael Ruelas right after that.
00:46:29I thought he may have underestimated Giovanni Parisi,
00:46:32but he's bounced back with five straight wins,
00:46:35all by KO.
00:46:38The flashy, cocky, fearless Freddy Peralta here at the Mirage Ballroom
00:46:43in the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.
00:46:46We ask your indulgence just for a moment here as we send a personal note,
00:46:50a personal message to our friend and former colleague, Walter Ward.
00:46:54We wish you the best of luck, Walter.
00:46:56Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
00:46:59We get ready for round six of the WBA featherweight championship.
00:47:03And Roy Rojas, the champion, comes out once again
00:47:06to beat the challenger, the very game,
00:47:10Wilfredo Vasquez.
00:47:13It'll be interesting to see if they've sent Rojas
00:47:16after more of that in the trenches,
00:47:19whether it was that last round, or if he's going to go back on the horse
00:47:22and box around from the distance.
00:47:24Right now, we're seeing a little bit of both.
00:47:27Right now, we're starting out from a distance.
00:47:30Last time we saw Vasquez, July of 1994, here on Showtime,
00:47:34and he's the second round TKO of Jaewon Choi of Korea.
00:47:38Right here at the Mirage, he decked Choi twice with ferocious rights.
00:47:42Now he fights for the featherweight championship
00:47:46against Eloy Rojas.
00:47:49Vasquez, five and one since that fight with the Korean,
00:47:53with two knockouts.
00:47:55The first five rounds are brutal.
00:47:57Keeping some pace inside and out, fighting, fighting, fighting.
00:48:00And unless you've really been in the ring at this level,
00:48:03you can't really appreciate how hard it is to keep that pace.
00:48:05You're going to have to slow down some.
00:48:07Rojas from outside again and having his way again.
00:48:10Just, I mean, they're trading these rounds like that
00:48:13because as long as he's outside with those long arms,
00:48:15he's beating Wilfredo.
00:48:18Rojas beginning to pick things up again.
00:48:22Beautiful defensive move just a moment ago by Rojas.
00:48:25He snatched a hard punch right off the forearm.
00:48:29Now he's coming back with a combination with a head.
00:48:31Vasquez with a foot-hugger move,
00:48:33but Rojas is out keeping his distance.
00:48:35See how he moved away after that?
00:48:37After that, before that, he'd step in and fight him.
00:48:39Now he moves away.
00:48:41As long as he's doing that, he's okay.
00:48:43You have to wonder why he didn't employ that strategy much earlier,
00:48:46as he said he would do.
00:48:47You'll have to ask Bobby.
00:48:48He's one of those kind of guys that when he gets hit, they fight.
00:48:51You know, sometimes that does happen.
00:48:53I don't know his personality,
00:48:54and I haven't been around watching him work in the gym,
00:48:56so I don't know that that's his nature,
00:48:58but sometimes it just happens.
00:49:00Your blood gets up and you just go for it.
00:49:04Remember, these are two champions.
00:49:06These are not two guys who have been fighting for the championship for years
00:49:10or who have seen his prime quality in boxing.
00:49:13Well, Vasquez sucked him right into it,
00:49:15trying to get him into the trap.
00:49:18We'll see if it works here in the long run.
00:49:24Right now, wonderful boxing by Eloy Rojas.
00:49:33Every time Vasquez starts out here and he has to work his way in,
00:49:36takes a lot of energy,
00:49:37once he gets him with a big shot like that, it's got to stay there.
00:49:40Let me tell you, that was the best shot of the fight.
00:49:42And a lunging straight left hand by Vasquez.
00:49:44He buckled. He buckled.
00:49:46Eloy Rojas definitely stopped him in his tracks.
00:49:49Big punch.
00:49:50Two beautiful body shots to follow it up.
00:49:53He has felt the power of Fredo Vasquez,
00:49:57as Rojas has got a good jaw.
00:50:00Final seconds of round six.
00:50:02The pace has not stopped.
00:50:05Don't push. Don't push.
00:50:06And the bell.
00:50:26You get too far away from him.
00:50:31The final thing is he said,
00:50:32as long as you're boxing, you're beating him,
00:50:34Right then it went closer getting hit now. Let's take a look at this in play. Look at that right hand right on the button
00:50:41Let's take a look at it a little closer and watch the expression actually if you watch them
00:50:45They both throw them at the same time, but Vasquez really gets his home better
00:50:51The lawyer backed up like saying Wow
00:50:53A
00:51:00Ferocious right by Vazquez and it shows you what kind of
00:51:13How about scores at the halfway point unofficially
00:51:16I got it
00:51:18Just when I thought that
00:51:20Royals is pulling out he gets hammered with that and then a big attack
00:51:42Round six Vasquez scored with his best shot since round three good straight right around number seven
00:51:51Very confident. He said the next time you see us. We'll be fighting out of the red corner the champion
00:51:57Well, they may be profits
00:52:11Beautiful very clean right hand
00:52:15Now the champion all that's peppering away with the left jab trying to set up the right
00:52:20Moving in but Vasquez comes straight forward as well
00:52:35Halfway through the seven
00:52:49Back
00:53:03That's going back to the
00:53:08People thought that might be
00:53:12Remember he's moving up in weight, but Vasquez dispelling that theory
00:53:20He didn't get there because he was tall he was short all the time he knows how to fight me in the short
00:53:27Hell the titles but three years the junior featherweight title that that's good
00:53:33Finally lost it to Antonio Serrano
00:53:40Seeming a lot more confident now here
00:53:42Approaching 20 seconds left in round seven
00:53:45Vasquez looking to regroup
00:54:01Wrestling going on as we head for the belt
00:54:04Oh
00:54:19Everybody's in accord you can't get you can't get into the right
00:54:34In close
00:54:36That big right in my raw, let's take a look at it
00:54:41You know, I think that's too long a distance to really hurt but it sure is impressive
00:54:45I'll tell you what, you can see a little bit of the expression on Vasquez's face the intuitive clean
00:54:51Frustrated but just didn't seem to put it together after getting hit with that right hand
00:55:04I don't know why he would change
00:55:09It's Alfred calls time there was too much moisture in the corner to our
00:55:17Round number eight
00:55:19Vasquez corner has been
00:55:21Exhorting him to keep it low, but he's actually been more effective with his hooks and straight rights to Rojas his face
00:55:28This for the WBA featherweight championship
00:55:34Right of your screen
00:55:51Now we see the quickness
00:56:05Rojas strategy was for Vasquez to punch himself out early
00:56:12If you can box is good, I don't see any reason to get hit
00:56:15I mean, you know, this is the way you should have been all the way around
00:56:18But again, it takes a lot of energy to keep that face
00:56:23It takes a lot of energy to keep getting humble
00:56:27He's coming in but he's eating a lot of
00:56:30Nice kids beginning to show some effect
00:56:34Of this
00:56:37Enduring point and at 30 to go halfway through round eight
00:56:41And that blazing pace in the first five rounds is sort of slowed down because it couldn't keep it up
00:56:49To get his gas tank kick him back in action
00:56:54Right now to you see when they get together
00:57:01We have seen all
00:57:04The
00:57:06Body with a lot more confidence
00:57:18After a very difficult start
00:57:25Laska's wants to get him back into a straight fight
00:57:34Right
00:57:38At Calvert the referee that his wife
00:58:04Oh
00:58:07Oh
00:58:32They're saying
00:58:37And we're losing
00:58:39His corner has a fight
00:58:42And look at these combinations
00:58:44That's so beautiful by Ross. Look I gives ground to left to right hand
00:58:49I'm gonna love to follow me. He is boxing in a beautiful style
00:58:54You know, I said Rojas that's what he's doing here
00:58:56He's taking his play away from Vasquez a lot of punches not as hard quick
00:59:00They're there and when you get tired, let's put one just hurt more and he's being very active
00:59:06Negligent and we didn't point out that that's because one guy is very much
00:59:10Long seven inch reach is having its way in its effect. That's very clever
00:59:17Can't take that away. Great bucks. He sides advantage
00:59:27They told to go to the body
00:59:30You expect a lot of action from fighters in this weight class. This is no surprise
00:59:34But the pace is just
00:59:38Knowing his corner back in the basket corner. They said
00:59:54Talking to bus cans in the corner. Here's the chief second
00:59:58Oh beautiful combination thereby the champion
01:00:09Does he want to be
01:00:12Take a point on
01:00:21Mark him a good fighter that can bend over
01:00:27Rojas to get inside
01:00:43It is somewhat risky because Bob's kids
01:00:46Unleash your bomb. I need to do a step. Why use a jazz make that gets work make him overworked use his energy
01:00:52But now he's decided to say that maybe he's taking a rest himself
01:00:55I'll be the only thing I can figure out
01:01:15Fighting better on the inside
01:01:25With a combination of the head
01:01:27Not only got Roy's detention made him back
01:01:36There goes the mouthpiece
01:01:38Oh
01:02:08Oh
01:02:38Terrific
01:02:42Now let's go back to the brawling techniques and
01:02:46Unreasonably, so because he's dominating the fight the other way
01:03:01So we're in a 10th round of a brawling grueling kind of fight
01:03:08Round number 10
01:03:11Too much moisture in the corner of my chair. So
01:03:14They whip the ice on the corner do some housekeeping
01:03:17It's Alfred telling the two to go to neutral quarters round 10 begins a fast pace throughout this fight
01:03:24but both
01:03:27Champions could be showing the first signs of fatigue the right eye of a lawyer for the first time
01:03:33swelling slowly
01:03:38But now it is getting swollen
01:04:06Very very
01:04:08Today
01:04:12You would not know it by watching these
01:04:20Guys extending with the straight left
01:04:38Bro, what is it? Go back box and rest?
01:04:50Beginning to show the damage of this pounding that he's been taking
01:04:55Those is all swollen. His eye is right. I is getting close
01:05:00Thank you the seventh offense of his WBA featherweight championship. He's held the title since 1993
01:05:08He's defended six times
01:05:12His last January 27th over Miguel Arrizal and his first fight in the United States in Phoenix
01:05:19There was ever that cliche determination written on his face. That's what you can say about Wilfredo Vazquez
01:05:26He has determination nice combinations here by Rojas. Vazquez is letting Ross get away with too many punches
01:05:31That'll make you pay
01:05:39Getting
01:05:41You have to do it effectively
01:05:43He was doing more effectively in the first few rounds, but not here
01:05:47In the latter stages of the point. Well, I for one would like to see booboo Johnson in with either one of these two guys
01:05:56What a great fight
01:06:08Second round
01:06:26He just gave a delay the mother
01:06:30Maybe light his mother's day away
01:06:32I
01:07:02I
01:07:32When he landed
01:08:02Oh
01:08:32Oh
01:09:03Maybe
01:09:07Nice to get to the stool boy. He is dead weight. They should have let him leave it a little bit long
01:09:11He's dead weight. They picked him up like dead weight
01:09:21A three-time world champion
01:09:23Will Fredo Vazquez of Puerto Rico
01:09:25He was right about having the power to knock people out
01:09:27Clean clean shot
01:09:29Bobby has never been
01:09:31The old adage has never been proven better
01:09:33Never quit
01:09:35Never quit
01:09:37You just don't know when it's gonna go your way
01:09:39I'll tell you what had something else
01:09:41He punched
01:09:43He just never stopped punching
01:09:45And he always had that big look
01:09:47He was landing it
01:09:49And I still don't know why Rojas didn't just stay outside
01:09:51Especially that round
01:09:53But they told him he's winning the fight
01:09:55Just go outside
01:09:57Why did he get there and do a shootout
01:09:59I don't think he needs to do anything to stand up
01:10:11Let's take a look at that first knockdown
01:10:13And certainly it was a surprise
01:10:15Two hands it landed
01:10:17Now that one was a good hook
01:10:19But the subsequent punches
01:10:21When he went to the ropes
01:10:23And it held him up automatically
01:10:25The referee's gotta step in there
01:10:27And he did
01:10:29That's accurate
01:10:31The second one is clean and clear
01:10:33You'll watch Rojas
01:10:35He's still fighting inside
01:10:37He's not moving
01:10:39And uppercuts on the inside
01:10:41Now he's in trouble again
01:10:43When a referee finally steps in between him
01:10:45You watch
01:10:47That uppercut inside and that left hook
01:10:49Alright let's take a look
01:10:51At that first knockdown again
01:10:53Because what you're seeing here
01:10:55If the ropes aren't there
01:10:57He's all the way into our left
01:10:59Because he's out
01:11:01That's the guy that no longer knows where he's at
01:11:03His senses are gone
01:11:05He's just reflexes holding him up
01:11:07The referee steps in to save punishment
01:11:09That's the first knockdown
01:11:11And of course
01:11:13It was academic after that
01:11:15He just seemed too drained
01:11:17And too hurt
01:11:19His legs were not under him
01:11:21And that final blow
01:11:23Brutal
01:11:33I hear you see the beginning of the very end
01:11:35Rojas is not moving
01:11:37He's getting hit
01:11:39He's getting hammered on
01:11:41The referee steps in
01:11:43Although getting hammered
01:11:45That punch surely dropped him and hurt him very badly
01:11:49Here you watch
01:11:51The punches up on the inside
01:11:53He's just so much stronger
01:11:55That hook all night long had been landing
01:11:57There's the hook
01:11:59There's the right hand
01:12:01And here comes the right
01:12:03And the big hook
01:12:05When he was on his way toward the floor
01:12:07The referee went to grab him
01:12:09He was helpless
01:12:11One last look at it
01:12:13You'll see he hadn't really recuperated
01:12:15He should have been moving or holding on
01:12:17He was trying to fight
01:12:19There's the hook
01:12:21Another right hand
01:12:23That hook was the coup de grace
01:12:25Which was almost not necessary
01:12:27Into the arms of referee Mitch Halpern
01:12:29We have discovered Vasquez was clearly behind
01:12:31On all three judges' cards
01:12:33One judge gave every round to Rojas
01:12:35In this particular book
01:12:37So there he is, the new WBA featherweight champion
01:12:39He's the first to win three world titles
01:12:41Of the same boxing organization
01:12:43The WBA
01:12:45Wilfredo Vasquez
01:12:47The long three-year reign
01:12:49Of Eloy Rojas comes to an end
01:12:53And there goes Rojas
01:12:55Fortunately under his own power
01:12:57He's all right, making his way back to the dressing room
01:13:01He's very disappointed
01:13:03We are informed that he did not want to talk
01:13:05So the belt now belongs to Wilfredo Vasquez
01:13:07Who fulfills his dream
01:13:09Of winning three world titles
01:13:11We'll get the event
01:13:23One second in round number 11
01:13:25A referee in charge, Mitch Halpern
01:13:27Stops the contest
01:13:29And by capturing
01:13:31His third WBA crown
01:13:33He is the winner by way of
01:13:35A tactical knockout
01:13:37And the new
01:13:39WBA featherweight champion
01:13:41Of the world
01:13:43El gran campeon
01:13:45Puerto Ricano
01:13:47Wilfredo Vasquez
01:13:53The Puerto Rican flag
01:13:57We were just told that Rojas
01:13:59Reportedly just told somebody
01:14:01In ringside
01:14:03One of the media members
01:14:05That he has just retired
01:14:07As he fled the ring
01:14:09For the dressing room
01:14:11So
01:14:13Coming up next
01:14:15Our main event
01:14:17And we begin
01:14:19Once again
01:14:21On undefeated
01:14:23Felix Trinidad
01:14:25And the new
01:14:27WBO
01:14:29On undefeated
01:14:31Felix Trinidad
01:14:33Also of Puerto Rico
01:14:35Back in his dressing room
01:14:37Making final preparations
01:14:39For his defense of the
01:14:41IBF world away championship
01:14:43Against fearless
01:14:45It could be a big night
01:14:47For Puerto Rico
01:14:49But before we get to
01:14:51The next fight
01:14:53We have post fight reaction
01:14:55From our last bout
01:14:57He said
01:15:03He said
01:15:05It wasn't a surprise
01:15:07He was waiting for him patiently
01:15:09Because he knew
01:15:11He was going to get him
01:15:13Before the end
01:15:17He said
01:15:19He knew that all he had to do
01:15:21Was hit him the follow up punch
01:15:23And there would be no
01:15:25That didn't go to him
01:15:27Three times
01:15:31He started out very fast
01:15:33But then the other guy neutralized him with boxing
01:15:43He said he started the fight
01:15:45In order to make the other guy
01:15:47Chase him and get his legs tired
01:15:49The more he chased him
01:15:51He would get him at the end
01:15:53This is a unique thing
01:15:55The manager
01:15:57Tell us about the unique thing
01:15:59Thank you
01:16:01This guy here is the first guy in boxing
01:16:03To ever win three world titles
01:16:05In different divisions
01:16:07And this is all thanks to Don King
01:16:09The number one promoter
01:16:11Without him we couldn't have done it
01:16:13Without Showtime we couldn't have done it
01:16:15And you're the third Wilfredo
01:16:17Whose won three crowns from Puerto Rico
01:16:23Alright, we're gonna go down and look at two reviews of the fight and then we'll come back up if we can.
01:16:37Alright, thanks very much, Bertie. We're gonna take a look once again at the end of the fight of the 11th round
01:16:44as Wilfredo Vazquez comes up victorious to win the WBA featherweight championship.
01:16:49This is the first knockdown.
01:16:51Here you see that Rojas is fighting where he doesn't have to. He's not boxing where he's supposed to.
01:16:55Gets hit with a left hook and you can see his feet are not under him.
01:16:58He gets hit with another nice right hand. The ropes are the only thing that held him up which qualifies it as a knockdown.
01:17:03He gets a standing eight count as you see Mitch Halpern apply that right now.
01:17:09And the end of the fight, Bobby.
01:17:10Well, the end of the fight is pretty self-explanatory. He's not moving. Rojas is still on the inside in harm's way.
01:17:15He gets hit with a couple of big shots. A left hook here and a right hand.
01:17:19And he's just about out. Another right hand and there's a big left hook.
01:17:22Just as the referee grabs him, he gets hit with that hook in the arm.
01:17:25And his next snapback, he was, for all intents and purposes, finished.
01:17:29Vazquez now 12-3-1 in world title fights. 47-7-3 overall.
01:17:34And obviously the step up in weight did not have any adverse effect on Wilfredo Vazquez.
01:17:39So here at the Mirage Grand Ballroom, getting set for the main event.
01:17:42Felix Trinidad versus Freddie Pendleton for the IBF 108 championship.
01:17:48Well, over the past few years, the welterweight, or 147-pound division,
01:17:53has become one of the more glamorous in boxing.
01:17:55While it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of the many alphabet soup groupings,
01:17:59the welterweights have three genuine golden champions.
01:18:02Tonight's headliner, Felix Trinidad, is the IBF title holder.
01:18:06Ike Cortay, another impressive champion, heads up the WBA.
01:18:10While the talented Pernell Sweetpea Whitaker is the WBC champion.
01:18:15The question is, has Felix Trinidad succeeded in gaining equal recognition with his champion rivals?
01:18:20Bobby, your thoughts.
01:18:22Well, Pernell Whitaker right now remains number one or number two in everybody's book
01:18:25as pound-for-pound best in the world.
01:18:27So no one has reached that level in the welterweight division yet,
01:18:29but Felix Trinidad is right on his heels.
01:18:31He is a superstar on the rise, there's no question about it.
01:18:34He's 23 years old and oh, so impressive.
01:18:36Well, Trinidad told us he'd love to unify the title.