Bizarre Night Headlined by Cronin-Campos Technical Decision

By Shawn W. Smith

What was expected to be a night of Ontario talent showing off their skills against little-known Mexican opponents turned out to be anything but at United Promotion Feb. 27 outing in Mississauga, Ontario.

After main events featuring Brandon Cook and Ryan Young fell through due to injury, the headlining gig fell to Toronto’s Tim Cronin (7-1), who took on Mexico’s Guillermo Campos (9-3).

Unfortunately, the fight was not what anyone expected.

The main event between Cronin and Campos lasted just 1:44 before the fight was called to an end due to a cut on Cronin’s head. Prior to the stoppage, Cronin had been dropped with a hook that put him to the floor.

After the referee determined that Cronin could continue, the doctor was called into the ring to check a cut on Cronin’s head. He quickly determined that the cut was too deep to continue.

Although no head butt was apparent in the post-fight replay, it was determined that Cronin was cut by something other than a punch, leading to the fight resulting in a technical decision.

In the co-main event, Toronto’s Samuel Vargas (23-2-1) was in tough against Mexico’s Edgar Ortega (16-3), but held on to take a unanimous decision.
After a sloppy start from both fighters that saw Ortega landing the better punches, things picked up part way through the eight-round bout. When the fighters became entangled, Vargas was twice dropped hard to the canvas. This only served to fire the fighters up heading into the final three frames.

Throughout the sixth, seventh and eighth rounds, both fighters unloaded significant punches, with Vargas getting the better of them.

After a late punch from Vargas in the eighth round, Ortega responded with a leg kick that dropped Vargas to the mat. Somehow, the referee missed the exchange and neither fighter was admonished or deducted a point.

After eight peculiar, yet entertaining rounds, Vargas took a unanimous decision by scores of 78-73, 77-74 and 77-74.

United Promotions announced that they will return to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga on May 14, with an event entitled “The Proving Ground”. Although no bouts have been officially announced, it is expected that Brandon Cook (16-0), Steven Wilcox (12-1-1), Jessie Wilcox (3-0), Kevin Higson (7-0) and Ryan Young (9-0) will appear on the card.