PHOTO CREDIT: Roc Nation Sports
Washington, DC (May 14, 2016) – 122 pound contender Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (22-2, 16 KO’s) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico scored a clear-cut, eight-round unanimous decision over local southpaw Thomas “KO” Snow (18-3, 12 KO’s) on Friday, May 13 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
Fighting on Roc Nation Sports’ Throne Boxing on BET, Del Valle looked to set the tone by pressuring the DC-based Snow in the opening round. In the second, the former NABA featherweight champion landed a number of straight right hands, including one that sent Snow down hard. Sensing that a knockout may be imminent, Del Valle swarmed Snow but he made it out of the round.
The third saw Del Valle land a picture perfect left hook that dropped Snow again, who effectively tied up after tasting the canvas. Del Valle continued to press the action in the fourth and fifth stanzas, while Snow began moving his hands but still held frequently. Snow found moments of success in the sixth and had his best round in the seventh, during which he connected with a hard shot that got an off balance Del Valle’s attention. Still gunning for a knockout, Del Valle pushed the action in the eighth however, Snow tied him up on multiple occasions and finished on his feet.
While most fans and ringsiders had Del Valle winning at least six rounds, the scores were surprisingly 76-74 on all three scorecards.
“Thomas Snow was a very game fighter and I tip my hat off to him for being a tough competitor,” Del Valle said shortly after the victory. “I would’ve liked to have finished him, but he was constantly tying me up. I thought the referee would’ve warned him or taken a point, but that didn’t happen. This fight was a good learning experience and like JAY Z says ‘it’s onto the next one.’”
“I want to get my hands on one of the champions or top contenders at 122 pounds. Ever since I started boxing, my goal was to become a world champion. I’m hoping to have the chance to fight for one of the belts soon because there’s nothing I want more than to bring a world title belt back to Puerto Rico.”
Fans can interact with Del Valle on Twitter @Orlanditoboxing and facebook.com/Orlandito-Del-