By Jake Donovan - Fringe super featherweight contender Vicente Escobedo rode an early knockdown to eke out a close decision over Rocky Juarez in a bout of fading former U.S. Olympic boxers Friday evening at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, California.
Scores were 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93 in their 10-round affair, which aired live on Telefutura.
The bout served as a do-or-die scenario for both fighters, neither of whom has managed to live up to the promise that followed them coming out of their respective Olympic runs.
There was far more pressure on Juarez – a Silver medalist in the 2000 Summer Olympics – to take a win if he didn’t want to be permanently written off. The Houston native entered the fight winless in his last five contests, including a surprisingly convincing points loss to Alejandro Sanabria in his last bout earlier this year.
Escobedo has played win one, lose one over his last four contests and was in search of a winning streak for the first time in more than two years. His greater activity helped produce that on Friday evening, though it required fending off a late scare.
The early rounds saw the same thing that has plagued much of Juarez’ career – not letting his hands go and waiting too long for an opening that wouldn’t surface on its own. Escobedo took advantage on sheer activity alone, working almost exclusively behind the jab.
That very weapon reaped major rewards in the third round, flooring Juarez for the bout’s lone knockdown when a shot caught him on top of the forehead while coming in. It was short and precise, enough to force the third knockdown for Juarez in as many fights.
Juarez shook it off quickly, insisting that it looked far worse than it felt.
“I thought it was just a flash knockdown. He didn’t hurt me at all.”
Regardless, Escobedo – who enjoyed a massive height (five inches) and reach advantage (four inches) - was building up a huge lead on the scorecards while Juarez continued to wait, fas his patience would come at a point when it was far too late to make an impact on the scorecards.
