After eight one-sided rounds, Mepranum didn’t come out for round nine.
It was Carlos’ sixth defence and his best. A long stint at the Otomí High Altitude Center, in the climes perched over Toluca, had worked its wonders, as Carlos was in superme conditon, and it showed. Richie’s soutpaw style, posed few problems, but an accidental clash of heads in the first, showed that two different, yet simultaneous stances can prove difficult.
Carlos’ work rate and speed were incredible as he dug hooks to the body and moved upstairs, having success especially with the right hook. Richie, who was unwisely dropping his hands when caught with a cascade of punches, was getting through with the occassional left hook. Yet in round three he momentarily stiffened and froze when caught flush with a stinging dose of his own medicine.
Carlos launched a massive and sustained attack in round four, so much so that Referee Thomas Taylor was becoming ever more watchful. But the teak tough Filipino weathered it and was returning fire, albiet it in every diminishing sporadic bursts. As his pace lessoned Carlos’ went into overdrive. He was starting to sit down on his punches and the effect was evident.
After a torried eighth, Richie who’d received another médium rare battering stayed on his stool, deciding enough was enough!
In other bout, former female world champion Ava Knight (14-2-4, 5 KOs) from Chico, California, outscored Judith Rodriguez (8-10, 5 KOs) over eight rounds in a super flyweight clash. Scores were 80-72, 78-74, 79-73.
