Photo by HogansPhotos/Golden Boy Promotions
On Saturday, July 30, 2016, Antonio Orozco (25-0, 16 KOs) scored a tough 10-round unanimous decision victory against Abner Lopez in a Welterweight fight at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
The fight was televised via HBO Latino in the U.S.
Orozco, 28, of San Diego, California, began the fight with hard shots on Lopez, though he was unable to finish the fight in the early rounds.
Instead, Orozco was backed up in Round 3 by Lopez, who was up to the night’s challenge of fighting an undefeated boxer. Lopez, a 26-year-old native of Mexico, gave Orozco a tough fight, forcing the undefeated Super Lightweight to box in the middle rounds in order to win rounds.
In Round 7, Lopez even managed to cause swelling to Orozco’s right eye, but Orozco continued to outbox Lopez and land counter shots going in to the 10th and final round.
The judges scored the fight 99-91, 99-91, and 97-93 for Orozco.
“We knew that Lopez was going to be a tough opponent,” said Antonio Orozco.
“He was a come forward type of fighter and although I was willing to engage with him, I had to box him. That is something that we have been working on, when to be smart, box the fighter and be effective with counter punches.”
Lopez, on the other hand, felt he won the fight.
“I know I won this fight,” said Abner Lopez. “But this isn’t the first time this has happened to me. I was the better fighter tonight and the fans know it.”
Photo by HogansPhotos/Golden Boy Promotions
In the night’s co-main event, Joseph Diaz Jr. (21-0, 12 KOs) scored a second-round KO victory against Victor Proa (28-2-2, 21 KOs) in a Featherweight fight.
Diaz came out in the first round with hard power shots from his southpaw stance. Proa tried to land shots of his own, but Diaz’s high-guard stance and his head movement allowed him to avoid Proa’s shots.
In the second round, Diaz continued his dominance, landing hard combinations that forced the referee to stop the fight.
“I wanted to come out tonight and show my power,” said Diaz.
“When I landed that left hook that dropped him I knew I had him and decided to finish him. I knew he was hurt and I wanted to make sure I made a statement; that I am a serious contender in the 126 pound division.”
This division includes newly-crowned Featherweight champions Carl Frampton and Oscar Valdez, along with WBC champion Gary Russell Jr. and IBF champion Lee Selby.
What do you think is next for both fighters? Let us know in the comments section below.
