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Steve KimESPN
Junior welterweight contender Josue Vargas enjoyed a solid night of work in a dominating unanimous decision victory over Salvador Briceño in the Top Rank boxing card main event at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Although the scores were wide (99-91, 100-90 and 100-90), Vargas (17-1, 9 KOs) had to work hard against Briceño (17-6, 11 KOs), who despite taking many hits In almost all rounds, he never wavered and kept moving forward. Briceño was the tallest man, but he could never understand Vargas, who worked effectively from the mid-range and inside, landing uppercuts, straight lefts and right hooks. Vargas often threw quick combinations that caught Briceño’s attention, but he never came close to scoring the strike.
The fight came at a physical cost to Vargas, who lost his upper teeth in the fourth round. He also sustained a cut to his left eye due to an accidental head collision in the sixth round. But despite all of this, the 22-year-old left-hander was able to hold him together to finish strong.
It made a huge difference for Vargas, as his father and coach were unable to work on the corner because he had broken COVID-19 protocols at the MGM Grand by leaving his designated flat without a mask the night before. Coach Raúl Rivas took over for Vargas, but during a pre-fight interview with Bernardo Osuna, Vargas was visibly emotional as he discussed the situation. Vargas was able to overcome adversity and still made a great effort.
“It was a little difficult,” Vargas said of not having his father on the corner. “I’m always used to having my father in the corner, and we have that chemistry together that brings out something that no one can do. That’s something we’ve been working on for years. There’s only one little thing in the corner that he tells me. in the corner and I just start hitting and hitting my fighters. “
Bauza dominates the fryers
John Bauza remained undefeated by clearly outpacing Larry Fryers in eight rounds. It was a great start for the left-hander who kept the Fryers at bay for much of the night for a unanimous decision victory (79-73, 80-72 and 80-72).
Bauza (14-0, 5 KOs) was often pressured by Fryers (11-3, 4 KOs), who tried to mistreat him inside. While Fryers was successful at certain points, most of the fight was controlled by the faster Bauza, who landed heavy punches overnight.
After eight rounds, Bauza was not only the most active fighter (throwing 321 punches at 279 for the Fryers), but also topped him 103-76 in total punches.
Jones beats Stubbs, wins majority decision
In the opening fight of the night, middleweight Isiah Jones earned a six-round majority decision over undefeated Donte Stubbs by scores of 57-57, 58-56 and 59-55.
Jones (9-2, 3 KOs), who lost a decision two weeks ago against Nikoloz Sekhniashvili, boxed from the outside for most of the fight, while Stubbs (6-1, 2 KOs) was in the center of the ring. when he stepped forward and threw the strongest blows. But neither of them really gained control of the fight. Exchanges were rare, and neither was hurt in this contest.
In the end, Jones outscored Stubbs 53-44 in total punches to raise his hands in victory.
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