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by:

Joshuwa
"Ashyknuckles"
Jernigan

In the fight of the night, Richie Mepranum (16 – 2, 3KOs) and Hernan Marquez (21 – 0, 18KOs) showed why they were headlining this Top Rank Live card in Grapevine, Texas. Both fighters felt each other out early, looking for vulnerabilities to exploit. Marquez took control early by keeping the fight in close. Marquez picked his spots well as his intent was to push Mepranum backwards. However, Mepranum would soon adapt as he made good use of his reach and hand-speed advantage, by timing Marquez with counter hooks. As the fight wore on, Mepranum kept Marquez’s aggression in check by continuing to mix combinations up and down. Marquez was by no means out of the fight. He continued to apply pressure, as he showed little respect for Mepranum’s power.

Both guys continued to assert themselves offensively, and out of nowhere a thunderous Mepranum counter left-uppercut almost sent Marquez into orbit. He took it well as he took most of Mepranum’s shots rather easily all night long. By the eighth round, Mepranum took total control of the fight. He hit Marquez at will whilst avoiding big looping left-crosses. Mepranum cruised into the final round, up on the cards, with the look of victory in his eyes. For Marquez, he had the desire as well as the heart and determination, but he didn’t have the ability to make the necessary adjustments to keep his lead nor his undefeated record intact. Mepranum won the fight over the heavy-handed Marquez by unanimous decision with scores of 99-91, 96-94 and 98-92.

Nagy Aguilera vs Samuel Peter – (Heavyweights)

In an entertaining encounter of heavyweight fighters, big fists were flying as Samuel Peter (34-3, 26 KOs) continues his comeback by knocking out Nagy Aguilera (15-3, 10 KOs). The first round began as both fighters patiently boxed on the move. Aguilera had some success with his movement as Peter had to plant his feet to land shots. Nevertheless, Peter had enough conditioning and championship experience to make adjustments. Peter cut the ring off, and timed Aguilera with a lead left-hook. A series of unanswered punches would follow, placing Aguilera on his backside. Aguilera would beat the count; however, the Peter follow-up onslaught took the remaining fight out of him. Peter won the fight by TKO as Laurence Cole stopped the fight at 2:24 of the second round.

Omar Henry vs. Francisco Reza – (Super Welterweights)

The Cotto-Clone, Omar Henry (7-0, 6KOs), continues his path of destruction as he brutally stopped Reza in round one. Henry jumped right on Francisco Reza (5-0, 4 KOs) , throwing lightning fast combinations, dropping him with five and six punch combinations. Reza momentarily regained his faculties only for Omar Henry to hit him with several extremely hard punches in succession. The referee waved the fight off, as Reza was unfit to continue. The knockout victory brings Omar Henry to (8-0) with seven first round knockouts. Henry returns to the ring April 3rd.

Bobby Hill vs. Jose Benavidez – (Super Lightweight)

Benavidez and Hill both came out looking to assert themselves. Benavidez (3-0, 3 KOs) immediately took control of the fight by setting up his combination punching behind a solid jab. The second round came around and Hill (1-4) began to have some success in timing Benavidez. However, Benavidez would adapt by luring Hill inside hitting him with a crisp right hand counters that placed Hill firmly on the mat. After Hill recovered, he continued to press forward, gamely, in attempts to rattle the young fighter. Benavidez, obviously not impressed, continued to time Hill with hard combinations to the body that took the life out of him. Hill would beat the count, however the official saw fit to call the bout off at 2:59 of the third round.

The lower undercard results:

8/10 Rounds - Lightweight
JUAN RAMON CRUZ - Yabucoa, P.R. (16-7-1, 12 KOs)
Vs.
ANTHONY PETERSON - Washington, DC (29-0, 19 KOs) – Peterson by TKO3 in 1:11

BEN TACKIE – Los Angeles, CA (29-11-1, 17KOs)
Vs.
DENNIS LAURENTE – Palompon, PHI (33-3-4, 17KOs) – Larente by UD