By Richard T. Najdowski

UIC Pavilion, Chicago - In the first off-tv fight, two undefeated prospects squared off to see whom would lose their 0 and take a step up in their young career. Paul Littleton (7-0-1, 4 KO’s) fighting out of Chicago, took on Puerto Rican challenger Roberto Acevedo, (7-1-0, 4 KO’s), and claimed his undefeated record with a spirited performance.

Both fighters came out jabbing and hooking in a close round one.  The difference here would likely be that Littleton found his distance near the end of the round with a couple punches. In round 2, Acevedo appeared to be hurt from a left hand early on, and as Littleton pressed the action, he continued to land left hooks and the occasional left uppercut.  In round 3, Littleton came out strong, throwing upstairs and downstairs.  The action evened up midway through the round, but the more telling blows seemed to continually come from Littleton. 

Acevedo turned the tide in round 4.  With Littleton seemingly looking to duck down under one Acevedo punch, Acevedo came back harder with a right uppercut that stunned and almost dropped Littleton.  He kept his feet and fought back ‘til the bell sounded to end the round.  The cobwebs in his brain cleared, Littleton came out in round 5 punching the body hard and then taking his punches upstairs.  Acevedo found some success from the outside, but so did Littleton. 

When the fighters were inside, it was all Littleton.  In the 6th and final round, Littleton came out strong, landing right crosses seemingly anytime he threw them.  Acevedo showed an impressive chin by remaining on his feet, but he took lots of punishment in doing so.  The judges scored this fight correctly, seeing the action at 59-55 three times, giving Littleton a well deserved victory. 

Also in action, Chicago prospect Jose Arambula dropped his challenger Jacob Akin (0-2-1) for the 10 count at 2:46 of round 1.  It was a left hook to the body that kept Akin down.  Arambula improves to (3-0-0, 2 KO’s) as he works his way up the lightweight division ranks.

One further walk-off bout was scheduled to take place, but the commission and/or the insurance company covering the fight called it off, citing times concerns.  The bout was announced to be rescheduled for the next UIC card, tentatively scheduled for May.