By Cliff Rold

In as good an eight-round prospect clash as could be asked for, undefeated 20-year old Lightweight Michael Perez (11-0-1, 5 KO), of Newark, New Jersey, stayed that way with a rousing split decision win over 23-year old Jose Hernandez (10-4, 4 KO) at the Coliseo Samuel Rodriguez in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico on Friday night.

Perez came into the contest one pound over the Lightweight limit at 136, Hernandez spot on at 135.

Perez had a Puerto Rican flag above the left knee on his trunks while Hernandez’s décor was all Mexican flag and, at the opening bell, the evidence of arguably boxing’s richest ethnic rivalry was on frantic display.  Clearly, a tradition of violence has been passed into new generations.

Slightly taller, Hernandez thumped Perez with a wicked right in the first minute of the fight while the speedier Perez responded with flurries and a sharp left hook.  Hernandez was driven backwards to the ropes more than once but kept his feet, even using the ropes for leverage as he sprung forward with long rights.  Both men scored with big right hands in the closing seconds, Hernandez adding some wide lefts to the ribs, as the crowd roared their approval.

Perez was warned for low blows in the middle of round two but it was his short, accurate shots upstairs that drew blood from the nose of Hernandez.  Hernandez responded with booming bodywork and a pair of sneaky left hooks to the face in the final thirty seconds of a round Perez otherwise controlled. 

Hernandez pounced with a left and right early in the third to seek control of his own, trapping Perez on the ropes and battering him with power shots.  After nearly a minute, Perez wobbled, his mouthpiece lost, only for the referee to call time for its replacement.  The valuable seconds came at an opportune time and Perez boxed with renewed vigor, turning the tide and even working Hernandez briefly along the strands.  Perez’s swift left buzzed Hernandez repeatedly in the final minute.

The more educated boxing of Perez contained the strength and resolve of Hernandez in the fourth, even in those few moments where Hernandez could force Perez’s back to the ropes.  It stayed that way until about the final minute of round five.  Falling into the corner after a Perez left hook, Hernandez used the aggression of Perez against him, countering and turning his man for a short shift of momentum.  Perez slid away and wisely stayed near mid-ring, returning to outboxing his man with his feet as much as his fists.

The fight kept to that form through the final three rounds, Perez controlling all but brief engagements along the ropes where Hernandez was able to exert himself.  Perez held his own there regardless and comfortably won the final three frames, closing a tough test by showing he could learn on the job and survive a rugged, determined foe. 

The fight closed with both men giving their best, Hernandez stunning Perez briefly only for Perez to spring back with some quick, eye catching blows before the final bell called their battle to a halt at the end of round eight.  The scores were awarded to the right man though Hernandez was rewarded for his effort with a nod in his favor as well.  Perez received scores of 78-74 and 77-75 while the differing tally came in at 78-74 for Hernandez.

The Jr. Lightweight action provided as chief support to the spirited main event provided the thrill of the knockout where sustained competition was lacking.  25-year old Luis Cruz (17-0, 14 KO), 130, of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, was all over 29-year old southpaw Wilfredo Acuna (14-8, 11 KO), 128 ½, of Managua, Nicaragua, from the opening bell, backing Acuna up with each right hand landed.  In round two, a right hand put Acuna on shaky stems, a left hook grazing the temple before a sizzling right uppercut sent Acuna rocketing to the floor.  Acuna beat the count and took an immediate beating for his trouble, Cruz working him over until a final right drove Acuna into a corner and into the reaching arms of the referee who had seen enough at 2:27 of round number two.

Cruz can hope to improve on his current place as the #7 contender in the WBO ratings at 130 lbs. 

Also Televised

Middleweights: Jonuel Tapia (7-1, 5 KO) UD4 Emil Gonzalez (4-3, 3 KO)   

The card was televised in the U.S. on Telefutura, as part of its “Solo Boxeo” series, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com