By Keith Idec
The fourth round of Javier Fortuna’s fight against Adrian Granados turned disastrous for Fortuna Saturday night in Frisco, Texas.
Referee Robert Chapa deducted two points from Fortuna before Fortuna suffered head and neck injuries once Granados pushed him out of the ring. A ringside physician placed a neck brace on Fortuna and he was taken from the ring on a stretcher.
The fight was stopped at 2:50 of the fourth round and ruled a no-contest because four rounds weren’t completed prior to Fortuna suffering a prohibitive injury due to an accidental foul.
The Granados-Fortuna fight was the first of the three bouts broadcast by Showtime from Ford Center at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ training facility. Granados told Showtime’s Jim Gray that he felt Fortuna was looking for a way out of their fight because he was coming on strong in that fourth round.
The Dominican Republic’s Fortuna (33-2-1, 23 KOs, 1 NC), a former 130-pound champion, made his debut at 140 pounds against Granados (18-6-2, 12 KOs, 1 NC), of Cicero, Illinois.
Chapa deducted a point from Fortuna 45 seconds into the fourth round for trying to head-butt Granados when they entangled against the ropes. Slightly less than a minute later, Chapa took another point away from Fortuna for holding.
Suddenly down two points, Fortuna went after Granados and finally made Granados take a step backward after landing a straight left hand with just over a minute to go in the fourth.
With 20 seconds left in the fourth, Granados pushed Fortuna through the ropes, which caused Fortuna to bang the back of his head an unidentifiable object at ringside. Fortuna remained on the ring apron, flat on his back, for several minutes prior to being wheeled away on a stretcher.
Granados continued trying to smother Fortuna throughout the third round. Fortuna was able to create enough distance to land his overhand left and a left uppercut during the second half of the round.
Both boxers let their hands go and landed several flush punches apiece during an entertaining exchange just before the third round ended.
Fortuna landed a straight left hand that got Granados’ attention with just under one minute to go in the second round. Granados drilled Fortuna with a straight right hand that forced Fortuna to hold him just before the second round ended.
Granados shoved Fortuna to the canvas when there was just under one minute remaining in the first round.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
