Jamie McDonnell Earns Close Decision Over
Tomoki Kameda
Дарна уу ЭНД For Photos From Esther Lin/PBC on CBS
Идальго, АНУ-ын Техасын (May 9, 2015) – Омар “Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 Kos) remained undefeated as he put on an exciting show in front of a raucous hometown crowd and earned a unanimous decision over Ricky Бурнс (37-5-1, 11 Kos) on Premier Boxing Champions on CBS live from State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, АНУ-ын Техасын.
Figueroa was the sharper fighter who landed harder punches and was able to dictate the pace of the fight. Burns was deducted a point in both the eighth and 11-р rounds by the referee for excessive holding. “Panterita” -ийн оноо ялалт 116-110 хоёр удаа мөн 117-109.
In the first televised fight of the afternoon, British star Жэйми McDonnell (25-2-1, 12 Kos) earned a narrow but unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Tomoki “Mexicanito” Kameda (31-1, 19 Kos). McDonnell was knocked down for the first time in his career by a sharp right hand from Kameda in round three but quickly recovered to win by a score of 114-113 бүх гурван шүүгч’ картууд.
Here are what the fighters had to say after their bouts:
Омар FIGUEROA
“Fighting a fight like that, it takes a lot to go even four rounds, much less 12. With a fighter like that, leaning on you and using his weight on you it’s tough. I’m just glad I was in shape and didn’t let my fans down.
“I’m a very offensive fighter, so the holding kind of slowed me down. I tried to do what I could and, thankfully, the judges saw that.
“My hands are a little sore, but I really did hold back on my punches, especially because he has one of those European guards where he holds his hands up high and his elbows are exposed. I had to be careful going to the body because that’s how I hurt my hands most times, from hitting the elbows. I felt ridiculously strong at the new weight, but I didn’t think my hands would hold up, so I was holding back and trying to win the fight on points and if I could hurt him I would try to stop him.
“He was punching me behind the head, so I felt like I had to do the same. If you want to play like that, I can play that game.
“At the end of the fight, he came with a good body shot that hurt me a bit. That’s why I slowed down at the end. I have to give it to Ricky. He’s a tough fighter.
“It’s time to rest up. I’ve been training since the beginning of the year and I deserve a little rest.”
RICKY BURNS
“We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I didn’t agree with the deductions for holding. I thought he was holding as much as me and that’s why I had to tie him up.
“We moved up in weight for this one but still had some trouble making weight, but I didn’t want to jeopardize my chance to fight in America.
“I think it was his size that gave me problems more than anything. I don’t know what weight he was in that ring, but it was a lot bigger than me.
“The plan was to try to stick to boxing for the first half of the fight, but once the size really took over I had to stand and exchange more than I would have liked. I couldn’t get him off of me. I’ve got no excuses, as I said the best man will win.
“I always leave everything in the ring and that’s all I can do. I hope everyone who watched enjoyed the fight.
“We’ve enjoyed the experience of being in the U.S., obviously the decision didn’t go our way which puts a damper on it, but overall everyone here in Texas has been great. I want to say a big thank you to everybody. I hope to back again.”
Жэйми MCDONNELL
“I felt in control all the way through. It was a great performance. I know I should have just boxed but I wanted to fight.
“I didn’t think I was going to get the decision being abroad, but it’s more than spectacular to come out of here victorious. He’s a great, гийн ялагдашгүй аварга.
“His speed surprised me on the knockdown. I knew he was going to be fast, but I didn’t expect it like that. I didn’t see the shot and next thing I knew I was on the floor.
“Hit and move, hit and move, that was the strategy. I remember being in there and thinking, ‘Man, this isn’t easy.’ I knew the crowd was going to go his way but it was a great experience.
“It’s been a fantastic time being here in America. I’d like to see some familiar faces but it’s a new experience. I was up against it but I knew I could pull it off. I knew deep inside that I could do it.
“I think I’m going to move up in weight. I want to catch the big fights before they’re gone.”
TOMOKI KAMEDA
“I think I won the fight. I did enough to win. He did a lot to win the last rounds, but I did more over the fight. I don’t agree with the judges decision, but I respect it.
“I knew he would get up after the knockdown because he’s a world champion. He’s a great fighter and I take my hat off to him, but I won the fight.
“Би Талуудыг солих хэрэгтэй.”
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