By Jake Donovan
Undefeated super bantamweight prospect Jayson Velez maintained his perfect record with a spirited points win over countryman Carlos Valcarcel on Friday evening at Coliseo Cosme Beitia Salano in Catano, Puerto Rico.
Scores were 97-93 and 96-94 (twice) in the 10-round affair, which served as the live main event on Telefutura Solo Boxeo.
Velez remained a step ahead throughout the contest and could’ve played it safe against a determined Valcarcel anytime he wanted. Instead, the Puerto Rican went all in every round, determined to give his fans a show while in pursuit of maintaining his knockout ways.
Despite having to settle for his second decision win in three fights, the bout carried the same level of entertainment as would a highlight reel knockout.
The crowd thought one was on tap in the third round, when Velez emptied both clips on a near defenseless Valcarcel, who showed a granite chin and warrior’s heart throughout the evening.
Velez would come to learn this when Valcarcel rallied back hard in the middle rounds to make a fight of it, throwing mostly power shots in hopes of scoring something dramatic.
That moment never came, but caused Velez to change gears down the stretch in order to preserve his victory. He did just that, mixing boxing and banging as he controlled the action in the later rounds with his superior boxing skills.
Still, a knockout was desired, and Velez didn’t have it in him to ease up on the gas even when of the belief that he banked enough rounds to leave victorious.
Thank goodness he trusted his instincts.
Once again, the crowd was brought to its feet as Velez unleashed savage combinations while Valcarcel tried like hell to defend the incoming and find a way to fight back.
It just wouldn’t happen, as Velez closed as strong as you possibly can without actually producing the stoppage.
What he instead produced in the end was yet another victory, as he improves to 16-0 (12KO). Velez has already been a fixture on the Telefutura Solo Boxeo circuit. More performances like this will only result in more TV slots being tossed his way, regardless of network.
A modest two-fight win streak comes to an end for Valcarcel, who dips to 12-3-4 (5KO).
The show opened with 18-year old newcomer Eddie Gomez, who enjoyed an easy night’s work in scoring a first round knockout over Jonel Tapia.
Gomez, Bronx-born but raised in Puerto Rico, appeared to be just warming up, when a left hook to the temple – landing behind a tight guard – caused Tapia to freeze before the pain truly set in as he dropped to a knee in delayed fashion.
The shot was enough to wave off the bout without so much as a count, as the referee was none too pleased with Tapia’s facial expression as he was on the canvas.
The official time was 2:06 of the opening round.
Gomez improves to 5-0 (4KO) with his latest win, coming more than a month before his 19th birthday.
Tapia falls to 8-2 (5KO), but with both losses coming within the past 12 months and also occurring inside the distance.
Undefeated super bantamweight prospect Jayson Velez maintained his perfect record with a spirited points win over countryman Carlos Valcarcel on Friday evening at Coliseo Cosme Beitia Salano in Catano, Puerto Rico.
Scores were 97-93 and 96-94 (twice) in the 10-round affair, which served as the live main event on Telefutura Solo Boxeo.
Velez remained a step ahead throughout the contest and could’ve played it safe against a determined Valcarcel anytime he wanted. Instead, the Puerto Rican went all in every round, determined to give his fans a show while in pursuit of maintaining his knockout ways.
Despite having to settle for his second decision win in three fights, the bout carried the same level of entertainment as would a highlight reel knockout.
The crowd thought one was on tap in the third round, when Velez emptied both clips on a near defenseless Valcarcel, who showed a granite chin and warrior’s heart throughout the evening.
Velez would come to learn this when Valcarcel rallied back hard in the middle rounds to make a fight of it, throwing mostly power shots in hopes of scoring something dramatic.
That moment never came, but caused Velez to change gears down the stretch in order to preserve his victory. He did just that, mixing boxing and banging as he controlled the action in the later rounds with his superior boxing skills.
Still, a knockout was desired, and Velez didn’t have it in him to ease up on the gas even when of the belief that he banked enough rounds to leave victorious.
Thank goodness he trusted his instincts.
Once again, the crowd was brought to its feet as Velez unleashed savage combinations while Valcarcel tried like hell to defend the incoming and find a way to fight back.
It just wouldn’t happen, as Velez closed as strong as you possibly can without actually producing the stoppage.
What he instead produced in the end was yet another victory, as he improves to 16-0 (12KO). Velez has already been a fixture on the Telefutura Solo Boxeo circuit. More performances like this will only result in more TV slots being tossed his way, regardless of network.
A modest two-fight win streak comes to an end for Valcarcel, who dips to 12-3-4 (5KO).
The show opened with 18-year old newcomer Eddie Gomez, who enjoyed an easy night’s work in scoring a first round knockout over Jonel Tapia.
Gomez, Bronx-born but raised in Puerto Rico, appeared to be just warming up, when a left hook to the temple – landing behind a tight guard – caused Tapia to freeze before the pain truly set in as he dropped to a knee in delayed fashion.
The shot was enough to wave off the bout without so much as a count, as the referee was none too pleased with Tapia’s facial expression as he was on the canvas.
The official time was 2:06 of the opening round.
Gomez improves to 5-0 (4KO) with his latest win, coming more than a month before his 19th birthday.
Tapia falls to 8-2 (5KO), but with both losses coming within the past 12 months and also occurring inside the distance.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.
