
Wilfredo Vazquez Jr Rallies, Knocks Out Oquendo In Seven
By Jake Donovan - Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. avoided disaster with a come-from-behind 7th round stoppage of countryman Jonathan Oquendo in their pay-per-view headliner Saturday evening in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Vazquez Jr. weighed 121 ¾ lb for his first bout since a points loss to Nonito Donaire earlier this year. Oquendo came in that the divisional limit of 122 lb. for their regional title fight. Oquendo was a replacement for Rafael Marquez, who twice pulled out of the fight due to separate injuries. The 29-year old Puerto Rican made the most of the unexpected opportunity, jumping out to a quick lead, hardly surprising considering that Vazquez Jr. is a notoriously slow starter. What was of concern was the fact that Vazquez was repeatedly beaten to the punch during the moments in which he attempted to initiate the action. A similar pattern held true in the second. Vazquez Jr. performed like a fighter who has fallen in love with his power, loading up on each shot rather than throwing in combination.