by Cliff Rold
26-year old WBC Super Flyweight titlist Carlos Cuadras (32-0-1, 25 KO) of Mexico City, Mexico, made his third successful title defense Saturday night at the Unidad Deportiva Martín Alarcón in Metepec, Mexico, with a unanimous decision over 29-year old former WBA Flyweight titlist Luis Concepcion (32-4, 23 KO). The loss snaps a nine-fight winning streak dating to Concepcion’s 2011 knockout loss to Tyson Marquez in their second of two title contests. Cuadras boxed a smart fight, limiting Concepcion’s offense and making him chase for much of the night.
Cuadras weighed in a half pound under the division limit at 114 ½, Concepcion at 114. The referee was Laurence Cole.
Through the first four rounds, it was a clinic. Using lateral movement and working off a consistent jab, Cuadras was firmly outboxing Concepcion. The big swinging Panamanian was missing the mark and Cuadras mocked him for it. At the end of the second he held out his arms like a matador, daring the bull to charge and dancing away. On the occasions when the challenger got close, Cuadras would bat him around the ears and get back to boxing.
By the end of round eight, both of Concepcion’s eyes were swelling but he continued to try. A ruled accidental butt gave both men a brief respite and Concepcion was cut. He was allowed to continue and their drama continued.
Concepcion never threatened to win but he was there winging haymakers to the end. As they neared the bell to end the fight, both men landed big punches and briefly embraced in a show of respect. Cuadras won by fair, wide scores of 118-110 and 117-111 twice.
Concepcion was the mandatory contender of the WBC, freeing Cuadras to pursue unification in the division or other notable contests if the opportunity arises. He shares Japanese promoter Teiken with prodigious WBO titlist Naoya Inoue (8-0, 7 KO) as well as WBC and lineal Flyweight Champion Roman Gonzalez (42-0, 36 KO).
Cuadras’s next mandatory is likely to be the man he took the title from on a cut shortened decision in May 2014, Thailand’s 28-year old Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (33-4-1, 30 KO).
The card was promoted by Promociones del Pueblo and Teiken Promotions.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene and a member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
