
FLY 52 KG - WEDNESDAY, 10 JUNE
Location: Mexico City – Venue: Plaza Condensa
Exceptional Elias Emigdio defeats Fernando Martinez in Flyweight rematch
Elias Emigdio (MEX) is one of the most successful flyweight (52 kg) boxers in the world, and after eight gruelling rounds in Mexico City, Mexico he enjoyed a superb victory over Fernando Martinez (ARG) in front of his home fans.
Emigdio had previously defeated Martinez in the Ranking Phase of APB, and the Mexican star achieved success in their Cycle I Round 1 rematch as well.
From the second round onwards Emigdio found his range, and the fight soon became an attritional battle with plenty of action taking place in the middle of the ring.
The fast hands and wicked inside hooks of the Mexican fighter caused Martinez to occasionally step back, which led to more pressure from Emigdio to the delight of his watching fans.
Martinez began to increase his own punch output as the rounds progressed, but the exceptional head movement of Emigdio allowed him to evade shots and fire back with even more attacks.
Mexico is notorious for its exceptionally high altitude which can challenge the stamina of fighters, yet despite tiring in the last two rounds, Martinez never wilted even when faced with extreme pressure.
A dynamic last 30 seconds electrified the crowd with both men swinging wildly and regularly, and after all eight rounds was completed, the referee raised the hand of Emigdio after he had been awarded the victory by the judges.
The Mexican star will next meet Ilyas Suleimenov (KAZ) in Cycle I Round 2 after the flyweight stopped Jasurbek Latipov (UZB) in round four of their contest.
Suleimenov was dominant from the outset, and his aggressive punches to the body forced the two-time AIBA World Championships medalist to pull out of their contest midway through the bout.
Match results:
- Iliyas SULEIMENOV (KAZ) W.P. TKO R4 vs Jabursek LATIPOV (UZB)
- Elias EMIGDIO (MEX) W.P. (78:74/76:76/77:75) vs Fernando MARTINEZ (ARG)
LIGHT WELTER 64 KG - WEDNESDAY, 10 JUNE
Location: Mexico City – Venue: Plaza Condensa
Wonderful Juan Pablo Romero outpoints Chabane Fehim in Mexico City
AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) made its debut in Mexico City, Mexico on Wednesday evening, where two Cycle I Round 1 light welterweight (64 kg) matches thrilled a packed and appreciative crowd.
The audience was particularly riveted by the main event featuring home star Juan Pablo Romero (MEX) against Chabane Fehim (FRA), and their match was an engrossing and thrilling spectacle.
Romero made his entrance to the ring while wearing a traditional sombrero, and began the contest with boundless energy as he used the rapturous cheers of the crowd to his advantage.
Fluid combination punching is a quintessential trait of Mexican boxing, which is a skill Romero has completely mastered.
Dazzling left and right hands to both the head and body troubled his French opponent, and Romero’s excellent stamina allowed him to be unrelenting in his attacks.
Fehim’s tight guard was essential against the swarming Romero, and though the French fighter mainly concentrated on defence, his punches were effective on the rare occasions he let his hands go.
It was the Mexican star who impressed more however, as he caught the eye of the judges with blistering flurries at the beginning and the end of rounds.
The eighth and final frame displayed three minutes of technical brilliance from both fighters, and they hugged as the last bell rang in an outstanding show of respect.
All three judges awarded the victory to Romero 78-74, and he will next fight Yoelvis Hernandez (VEN) in Cycle I Round 2 after the South American star outpointed Vyacheslav Kyslytsyn (UKR) in his APB debut.
Match results:
- Yoelvis HERNANDEZ (VEN) W.P. (78:74/78:74/76:76) vs Vyachelav KYSLYTSYN (UKR)
- Juan Pablo ROMERO (MEX) W.P. (78:74/78:74/78:74) vs Chabane FEHIM (FRA)