Jose Pedraza and Richard Commey avoided defeat but failed to progress their respective careers towards another world title shot.
The two former world champions came to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in desperate need of a victory. Neither man accomplished that mission.
Puerto Rican standout “Sniper” Pedraza and Ghana’s Commey battled a highly disputed ten-round draw in the junior welterweight main event Saturday evening.
The 97-93 Pedraza, 96-94 Commey, and 95-95 scores reflected the bout’s back-and-forth nature. [View highlights]
Richard Commey
Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs), who once held the IBF lightweight world title, won two of the first three rounds on all three judges’ cards.
Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs) swept the final two rounds to salvage the draw and keep alive his goal of winning a world title in a third weight class.
The fight turned when a clash of heads opened up a cut over Commey’s left eye in the sixth round.
Pedraza, fighting out of a southpaw stance, started backing up the noted power puncher and ripping shots at close range.
The punch stats were razor thin, as Pedraza outlanded Commey, 165-149.
Jose Pedraza
“Even though my eye was inflamed, we understood that it was done because he has a good right hand. The entire night, the whole point was to neutralize that right hand. Even though it was inflamed, I was able to do that,” Pedraza said.
“I’ve never turned down a fight, and I’m not going to start now. Whatever Top Rank wants for me. If they demand a rematch, I’m ready to give Richard Commey a rematch because he deserves it, and I have the utmost respect for him.
“Ultimately, my goal is to win a world title once again. Whatever I have to do, that’s what I’m willing to do.”
Commey said, “It is a draw. I have to go back home and see my people. I love my people, and I gotta go back there, do what I gotta do.”
A rematch looks sure to be arranged by Top Rank in the latter part of 2022 or early next year.
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