Omar Juarez lived up to his promise of a more memorable televised performance than was the case just four weeks ago.
The unbeaten 21-year old prospect from Brownsville, Texas overcame a few rocky moments to otherwise deliver a credible showcase in an eight-round unanimous decision win over West Virginia’s Dakota Linger. Judge Edward Hernandez had it 80-72, while Don DeVerges and Dr. Lou Moret both scored the contest 79-73 in favor of Juarez in their Fox-televised preliminary bout Sunday evening live from Microsoft Theater in Los
Linger—whose background is in toughman competition before turning to boxing—took a round or so to untrack his offense. The more polished Juarez exploited the slow start, establishing presence with a healthy mix of jabs and left hooks in the opening frame after going through the motions in a six-round nod over a defense-minded Willie Shaw in this very venue just four weeks ago.
Juarez continued to outwork Linger in round two, though at times paid for his more aggressive approach. The unbeaten Texan dug in with his left hook to the body, coming back up top with a flicking jab and left hook to the chin. The tactic worked for much of the frame, only for Linger to come charging back as he landed with right hands while his back was pressed against the ropes.
A shift to a more traditional style came of Juarez’s mode of attack in round three. Linger rode the late momentum shift as he pressed the action, though catching jabs and long right hands as Juarez potshotted from the outside. The best moment of the round for Linger came midway through, connecting with a right uppercut. Juarez took the shot well and tightened up his defense to avoid a repeat sequence, though at the expense of being outworked overall in the round for the first time in the fight.
Much of round four was spent at close quarters. Linger did his best to force a brawl, with Juarez planting his feet and connecting with a right uppercut, left hook combination. Both fighters were active in their punch output, though Juarez was the more accurate. Linger landed the round’s more telling blows, though far too infrequent to make a dent on the scorecards.
An attempt by Juarez to switch to southpaw in round five resulted in Linger landing a right hand, prompting a return to a more conventional stance. Linger continued to press, but was open for counterpunching combinations by Juarez whenever he threw his right. Juarez found time to create space when he felt necessary, but was otherwise comfortable fighting on the inside. It resulted in a statistical high for an opponent, as Linger landed 24 punches in the round according to Compubox.
Two-way action ensued throughout round six. Juarez remained well within Linger’s punching range although it was the 21-year old prospect who landed perhaps the best punch of the fight—a ripping left hook to the liver which briefly knocked Linger off balance.
Juarez worked behind a purposeful jab to begin round seven. Linger came forward but was picked apart. Enough jabs and left hooks managed to get through to produce swelling around the right eye of Linger, whose father and trainer Dewaine Linger called for a knockout heading into the 8th and final round.
It never came close to happening, as Juarez continued to dictate the pace in the closing three minutes. Linger (12-4-2, 8KOs) remained game but ate a series of right hands in the final minute of the fight as Juarez sought to close the show.
Juarez would have to settle for his second clear-cut win in less than a month, improving to 9-0 (4KOs) in the process.
The bout came in supporting capacity to the evening’s main event between Miami’s Yordenis Ugas (25-4, 13KOs) versus Casa Grande, Arizona’s Abel Ramos (26-3-2, 20KOs) who faces for a secondary welterweight title in the evening’s main event.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
