By Steven Cummings
Photo: Steven Cummings/InTheCorner.net
Junior middleweight Francisco Veron improved to 15-1-1 (10 KOs) with an impressive UD10 over WBC #15 Vladimir Hernandez in Fresno, CA on Saturday night in the main event of ProBoxTV’s telecast. Official scores: 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92. InTheCorner.net scored it 98-92.
In the opening round, as Hernandez (17-7, 7 KOs) rushed Veron, he got caught with a right hand and had to fight out of a corner. The local favorite (Hernandez fights out of Stockton) successfully got the fight back where he wanted it as he was able to pressure Veron and force back-and-forth exchanges.
In the third round Veron was cut around the right eye from an accidental headbutt. Maybe it was the cut that prompted a change in strategy, but whether it was or not, Veron began to use his height and reach to pepper Hernandez from the outside and moved away from the pressure.
The second half of the fight saw Veron control the distance and put rounds in the bank. Nevertheless, there was plenty of two-way action as Hernandez’ relentless pressure would get him in range to land clean shots. But most of the eye-catching shots were landed by Veron.
It was another highly competitive ProBoxTV fight, despite the wide scores.
ERIK BADILLO UD10 over GERARDO ZAPATA
Junior Flyweight Erik Badillo earned a title shot with a clean unanimous decision over Gerardo Zapata. Badillo (18-0, 8 KOs) outworked Zapata (15-3-1, 5 KOs) for most of the bout, earning the win by scores of 98-91, 98-91 and 97-92.
After three competitive rounds, Badillo floored Zapata in the fourth. Zapata slowed down over the second half of the fight while Badillo maintained his steady, two-fisted attack.
The win gives Badillo a shot at the winner of the rematch between Panya Pradabsri and Carlos Canizales.
