Argenis Mendez vs. Arash Usmanee
&
Claudio Marrero vs. Jesus Cuellar
The August 23 edition of ESPN‘s Friday Night Fights—titled “Tyson is Back”—got off to a great start with Claudio Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs) squaring off against Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar (22-1, 18 KOs) for the interim WBA Featherweight title.
Cuellar scored a knockdown in the sixth-round and earned a unanimous decision victory in his debut fight in the United States.
Official scores were 115-112, 114-113 and 116-111 all for Cuellar.
In the main event, Super Featherweight champion Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) fought to a controversial draw against hard-nosed opponent, Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs).
Teddy Atlas felt the judges were totally off base and wrong, but other boxing experts saw it closer (via Twitter).
In the end, the official judges scores were 115-113 for Usmanee and 114-114 twice. Mendez retained his title with the draw.
Though not everyone agreed with the decision, Mike Tyson‘s first promotional card was definitely a success and fans should look forward to more exciting fights from Iron Mike Productions.
Read on for social media reactions to both fights.
Social Media Reaction to Claudio Marrero vs. Jesus Cuellar
Cuellar is just too busy, too persistent for Marrero. Unless he slows down or Marrero can land something big, this fight won’t change.
— Tim Starks (@tqbr) August 24, 2013
Wow! That was hell of a round #7 #Marrero #Cuellar @ESPNBoxing #FNF #boxing @ESPNBoxeo
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) August 24, 2013
how do u have i after 8? i have it 5 cuellar 2 marrero 1 even
— Miguel Mikey Garcia (@TeamMikeyGarcia) August 24, 2013
Marrero went thru the ropes again???!!!! Off balanced fool!!!!! LOL!! #FNF
— Tanya Hill (@MrsBoxingDiva) August 24, 2013
This is like “Rocky” if they were both drunk. #FNF #boxing
— Boxing360 (@Boxing360) August 24, 2013
Cuellar has really put on some old-school, vintage Mexican pressure on Marrero. He wont be denied … #boxing #FNF
— Steve Kim (@stevemaxboxing) August 24, 2013
marrero might not make it til the end
— Miguel Mikey Garcia (@TeamMikeyGarcia) August 24, 2013
i think were gonna have another world champ at rgba!
— Miguel Mikey Garcia (@TeamMikeyGarcia) August 24, 2013
2 rounds in a row for Marrero. 3 minutes remain in the fight. Draw type of battle. Knockdown may be the difference.
— Fight_Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) August 24, 2013
If Marrero had done more of this rather than let Cuellar close the gap it would be a different ball game
— Ernest Gabion (@eaner0919) August 24, 2013
Close fight the 6th rd Knockdown is the decider Cuellar edged it on my cards
— TalkinBoxing (@TalkinBoxing) August 24, 2013
Jesus Cuellae is the new interim featherweight WBA world champion to win a war to Claudio Marrero by UD…. http://t.co/WIoX9zUXrp
— RoundByRound Boxing (@RBRBoxing) August 24, 2013
3 featherweight world champions in the same year by Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. Garcia, Gradovich, Cuellar. has to be a record!
— Miguel Mikey Garcia (@TeamMikeyGarcia) August 24, 2013
115-112, 114-113, 116-111 for Cuellar. Too close for my tastes, ‘cept the last card.
— Tim Starks (@tqbr) August 24, 2013
115-112, 114-113, 116-111 for…… Jesus Cuellar. IMO, the right call… #boxing #FNF
— Steve Kim (@stevemaxboxing) August 24, 2013
Social Media Reaction to Argenis Mendez vs. Arash Usmanee
So far, Usmanee-Mendez looks a lot like Cuella-Marreno. And that’s a good thing.
— Nigel Collins (@ESPNFNF) August 24, 2013
Mendez is a poor man’s Casamayor so far, and this referee needs to warn him about that stiff arm.
— Martin Mulcahey (@MartinMulcahey) August 24, 2013
Mendez is a poor man’s Casamayor so far, and this referee needs to warn him about that stiff arm.
— Martin Mulcahey (@MartinMulcahey) August 24, 2013
Good problems to have: Hard fights to score lately in boxing. Mendez, slightly, in the 3rd. Judges might be liking Usmanee’s aggression tho.
— Tim Starks (@tqbr) August 24, 2013
@MartinMulcahey gunna say same. forearm to throat on repeat. #ESPNFNF
— Danny Coyne (@perfectjet) August 24, 2013
I have it even after 4.
— FightNights.com™ (@boxing) August 24, 2013
Usmanee’s got balls. #FNF #boxing @ESPNBoxing
— Douglass Fischer (@dougiefischer) August 24, 2013
I just want to cut the sound off, Arash is winning this fight, have no idea what their watching, and chill with the Mayweather comparisons
— Ishe Smith (@IsheSugarShay) August 24, 2013
Teddy gave 4th to Mendez!!? Don’t believe it, Usmanee won rd clearly I thought
— Graham Houston (@fightwriterone) August 24, 2013
Mendez doing the right thing now #FNF #boxing @ESPNBoxing
— Douglass Fischer (@dougiefischer) August 24, 2013
I was told by a pro fighter, when facing the shoulder roll, you can’t keep throwing the same jab-cross-hook combo over and over again…
— Steve Kim (@stevemaxboxing) August 24, 2013
… because those guys are so trained to face it, they can literally block that combo with their eyes closed. Have to shuffle the deck…
— Steve Kim (@stevemaxboxing) August 24, 2013
Mendez the better Boxer but Usmanee has heart for days #TRU #FNF
— TRU Boxing Headz (@TRUBoxingHeadz) August 24, 2013
Thought Usmanee wrestled that 9th from Mendez after Mendez had control early.
— Tim Starks (@tqbr) August 24, 2013
Strange to see a great technician like Eddie Mustafa Muhammad working with such a crude fighter as Usmanee.
— Nigel Collins (@ESPNFNF) August 24, 2013
Y’know, I think Usmanee hurt him some with that big shot at the end of the 10th. I’ll give him the round. So it’s close now on my card…
— Tim Starks (@tqbr) August 24, 2013
Usmanee is as tough and unyielding as a mother-in-law. I have a lot of respect for him, he’s the consummate fighter… #boxing
— Steve Kim (@stevemaxboxing) August 24, 2013
You’ve got admire the way Usmanee hasn’t given up.
— Nigel Collins (@ESPNFNF) August 24, 2013
When you have the balls to keep coming forward and letting your hands go, you will always be in the fight.
— Tim (@TodoCorazon17) August 24, 2013
Don’t be surprised if Usmanee is stealing some of these rounds on the judges’ cards because of his aggression. Mendez has to finish strong.
— The TKOnetwork (@thetkonetwork) August 24, 2013
Fantastic main event!! Usmanee needs a 12th rnd KO though
— Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) August 24, 2013
Usmanee is tough but Mendez is taking him to school on FNF. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) August 24, 2013
Would not be surprised to see a Split decision, though I have Mendez 115-113.
— FightNights.com™ (@boxing) August 24, 2013
Mendez should win a close UD, maybe MD. #FNF #boxing @ESPNBoxing
— Douglass Fischer (@dougiefischer) August 24, 2013
@stevemaxboxing both dudes put in a good show!
— PaoloAndres (@paolovega) August 24, 2013
Official Scores: 115-113 Usmanee, 114-114 twice Majority Draw #Boxing #RBRBoxing #FNF
— RoundByRound Boxing (@RBRBoxing) August 24, 2013
Mendez outlanded Usmanee 314-276 over the 12 round draw. He landed 42% of his power punches (250/590) #boxing
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) August 24, 2013