Las Vegas, NV-Fans at Hard Rock Hotel’s “Joint” in Las Vegas were treated to Chris Martin and Teon Kennedy battling in close quarters for ten rounds Friday Night, but neither man was able to create distance on the scorecards, leaving a lack of closure for both camps.
Kennedy(17-1-2) was aiming to bounce back strong from a loss to Alejandro Lopez in August, and pressed the issue from start to finish, but left himself open for Martin (23-1-2) to stay in the fight. ESPN’s Teddy Atlas, and several ringside analysts scored the fight in Kennedy’s favor but Martin was able to place clean shots that turned several rounds into toss ups.
A second warning for low blows, and some swelling to the right eye in round 7 led to a more conservative offensive approach from Kennedy, an opportunity which Martin jumped on. Martin was able to put together his busiest sequence of the fight, and thought he scored a knockdown in the closing seconds, but the spill was ruled a slip by Jay Nady.
Martin spent the middle rounds watching the clock during clinches, and showed signs of fatigue but did not abandon his game plan, and continued to fire away inside on the Philadelphia native Kennedy. Kennedy’s vicious body attack clearly slowed Martin down, and softened his shots, but as the fight went on the “S.D. Kid” refused to go away, and kept things close enough to earn a majority draw.
In the co-feature Cuban welterweight Yordenis Ugas(11-0) looked to be on his way to making easy work of Esteban Almaraz (10-5), dropping his foe with a right hand in the first round, and continuing to land his overhand right early and often. Almaraz put heart, and endurance on display to survive the early assault.
Hand speed proved to be the difference for Ugas who had no problem putting combinations together, snapping Almaraz with his jab, and following with a consistent overhand right. Although his attack slowed as Almaraz proved himself able to sustain the damage, Ugas never seemed to lose control of the fight.
Almaraz never stopped coming forward, but was constantly forced back by the combination punching of Ugas who earned his way to a unanimous decision victory, shutting Almaraz out on one card, and surrendering just one round on the other two cards.
Following the televised action 22 year old super bantamweight prospect Gabino Saenz(6-0 5ko’s) suffered the first setback of his career.
Saenz appeared to be on the fast track to a stoppage win over Gil Garcia (5-2), knocking Garcia down in round 2. Although Saenz showcased superior boxing tact, and hand speed, Garcia was able to force the young prospect into his brand of fight. Garcia and Saenz traded blows for six rounds, both fighters staggered at certain points, but it was Garcia who appeared more comfortable with the bout’s pace.
At the final bell Garcia celebrated his impending victory, but as the score’s were read off a draw would be the fate of the bout, saving Saenz from his first career defeat.
Las Vegas native Anthony Lenk (13-1 7ko’s) made short work of previously undefeated Boyd Henley (8-1-1) stopping the Kansas City native in the first round of their welterweight bout. 20 year old featherweight prospect Jesse Magdaleno was also in action and looked impressive, shutting out Shawn Nichol in a six round unanimous decision win.
