NEW YORK–Edgar Berlanga won a 10-round unanimous decision over Steve Rolls in what was a lackluster fight in front of a sold out crowd at The Hulu Theater inside of Madison Square Garden of 5,158.
Rolls came out moving and noy wanting to get into harms way of any big shots. In round four, Berlanga was cut over his left eye from what could have been an accidental headbutt. Berlanga came forward the whole night and landed the harder shots. Rolls was able to get in some counters. The packed crowd was in anticipation of a explosive performance form Berlanga, who was headlining for the first time. The crowd size bodes well for Berlanga as he looks to be a big attraction, especially in the New York region.
Berlanga landed 120 of 314 punches; Rolls was 123 of 447.
Berlanga, 167.4 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94 and is now 19-0. Rolls, 167.8 lbs of Toronto, ONT, CAN is 21-2.
Edgar Berlanga
“You could tell that he was fighting scared. Every time I reach in or throw something, he’d pull back and was running the whole fight.”
“I was looking for the big shot. My corner was telling me to use the jab. I’m just happy we got the victory and I’m moving forward.”
“He was a scared fighter. It’s tough to land your shots when he’s scared, especially moving back. When he fought GGG, he brought it to GGG. With me, he tried to use that running tactic.”
Bob Arum (Top Rank Chairman)
“Edgar Berlanga fought a tough, defensive fighter, and he got some valuable rounds in tonight. As you saw from the sold-out crowd, the kid is a star. There are many more big nights to come.”
Zayas Decisions Lavallais
Good looking 19 year-old Xander Zayas literally pounded out a eight-round unanimous decision over iron-chinned Quincy Lavallais in a junior middleweight bout,
In round two, Bauza kept Lavallais on the ropes for much of the round and landed barrages of punches. Zayas continued to beat up Lavallais with thudding body punches that were followed by flush shots on his head. Lavallais showed a tremendous chin.
Before round seven, the ringside doctor took a look at Lavallais. Lavalais was bale to make it to the final bell, but the young Puerto Rican Phenom won by scores of 80-71 and 80-72 twice.
Zayas landed 252 of 573 punches; Lavallais was 66 of 398.
Zayas, 152.6 lbs of San Juan, PR is 13-0. Lavallais, 152.6 lbs of Kenner, LA is 12-3-1.
“I need this type of experience. Eight rounds against a tough opponent will only help me as I move forward in my career.”
“I want to dedicate this fight to my trainer, Javiel Centeno. He showed his love and commitment after what he went through yesterday.”
- Centeno has sciatica and had to go to the hospital Friday evening.
Bauza Decisions Luis
John Bauza remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Tony Luis in a junior welterweight bout.
Bauza landed 109 of 329 punches; Luis was 90 of 449.
Bauza, 140.2 lbs of Coamo, PR won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 17-0. Luis, 140.8 lbs of Cornwall, ONT, CAN is now 29-5.
Jahi Tucker remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Tracey McGruder in a welterweight fight.
Tucker landed 131 of 462 punches; McGruder was 118 of 409.
Tucker, 147.8 lbs of Deer Park, NY won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice, and is now 7-0. McGruder, 147.8 lbs of Rochester, NY is 6-2.
Henry Lebron stopped Josec Ruiz in round seven of a scheduled eight-round junior lightweight bout.
In round seven, Lebron wobbled Ruiz into the corner from combination and the fight was stopped at 2:23.
Lebron, 130.6 lbs of Puerto Rico is 15-0 with 10 knockouts. Ruiz, 130.4 lbs of Limon, HON is 23-6-3.
Bruce Carrington scored an explosive fifth round stoppage over Yueuri Andujar in a scheduled six-round junior lightweight bout.
In round three, Andujar was cut above the right eye. Both guys landed some hard combinations with Carrington getting the better of the action. In round five, Andujar came out guns-a-blazing, but he ate a vicious right-left combination that put Andujar flat on his back for several minutes and the fight was stopped at 51 seconds.
Carrington, 129.8 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 3-0 with two knockouts. Andujar, 129.6 lbs of San Cristobal, DR is 5-5-1.
Carrington said, “I want to thank Brownsville and all of Brooklyn for coming out to support me. Fighting as a pro at Madison Square Garden was a dream come true. This is only the beginning.”
Armani Almestica stopped Luis Valentin Portalatin in round three of their scheduled four-round junior welterweight bout.
Almestica battered Partaltin until the bout was stopped at 1:57.
Almestica, 139.2 lbs of Orlando, FLA is 5-0 with five knockouts. Portalatin, 140.2 lbs of Toa Alta, PR is 3-4.
Kelvin Davis stopped Phillip Carmouche in the opening round of their four-round junior welterweight bout.
Davis dropped Carmouche with a straight left. Davis finished things off with a hard left that drove Carmouche to the ropes and the fight was stopped as he fell again at 1:17
Davis, 143.6 lbs of Norfolk, VA is 4-0 with three knockouts. Carmouche, 144.8 lbs of Las Vegas, NV is 2-3.
