Smith Outpoints Gutierrez for Big Win!
Rigondeaux Sensational in Debut!

May 22, 2009 - Miami, FL
Ringside Report: Jason Kotar at Ringside
Photos: Javiel Centeno

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Welterweight Antwone Smith (16-1-1, 8 KOs) scored an impressive unanimous decision over a tough Richard Gutierrez (24-3, 14 KOs) in the main event of last week's ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.

The battle-tested Gutierrez, who went the distance with former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey (July 2006) and fought a back-and-forth war for five rounds with jr middleweight contender Alfredo Angulo (May 2008) plus he has wins over fringe contenders Hicklet Lau (April 2006) and Teddy Reid (January 2007), seemed the favored fighter due to his world-class competition compared to relatively inexperienced Smith. The biggest name on Smith's record was the then-undefeated (16-0) but unknown Norberto Gonzalez, who had never fought outside of Mexico.

Gutierrez was the busier fighter in the early rounds, utilizing a good jab and employing a tight defense. But Smith was able to occasionally connect with straight rights, often times snapping back the head of Gutierrez.

Round three saw both fighters step up their body attacks, with Gutierrez landing what appeared to be the harder shots while Smith increased his pace. Gutierrez had effectively blocked the punches of Smith in the first couple of rounds, but Smith was able to find his mark in round four. Smith was not only landing straight rights to the head but hard lefts and rights to the body of Gutierrez along with a nice uppercut.

The middle rounds saw Gutierrez slow his tempo as he elected to throw power punches one at a time. Smith did just the opposite, throwing combinations of every variety, simply outworking a fading Gutierrez.

Each round now seemed to unfold like the last with Smith pressuring Gutierrez into the ropes and landing at will.

Although never having gone past eight rounds, Smith showed no ill effects as he stepped up his attack in the final rounds. Despite a nasty cut over his left eye that he kept pawing at in the final round, Smith never deviated from his game plan.

The cut, which was ruled a head butt by referee Telis Assimenios, had no impact on the scoring which read 97-93, 96-94 and 100-88.

Smith vs Gutierrez Photos

Cuban Star Rigondeaux Has Arrived!

In his highly anticipated professional debut, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former Cuban national team captain Guillermo Rigondeaux (1-0, 1 KO) scored a TKO over Juan Noriego (3-3, 3 KOs) in a junior bantamweight encounter. With a pro-Cuban crowd in attendance rooting him on, the southpaw Rigondeaux came out with bad intentions, landing powerful left hands to the head and body of his opponent.

Not even halfway into the first round, a roundhouse left by Rigondeaux deposited Noriego onto the canvas. Overmatched and in full survival mode, Noriego was rocked once again later in the round but managed to hear the bell.

Rigondeaux took a more measured approach as the bell rang for round two, almost sensing as if he needed some work. The hard lefts by Rigondeaux were complimented by a sharp right hook, which rocked Noriego several times in round two.

The same pattern continued in round three until referee Sam Burgos mercifully stopped the fight at 1:09.

Rigondeaux vs Noriego Photos

Lara Explodes on Vazquez!

Junior middleweight Erislandy Lara (6-0, 4 KOs) continued to show why he is an up and coming prospect with a dominating performance against veteran Edwin Vazquez (22-14-2, 8 KOs). The former Cuban amateur world champion Lara, fighting in front of his adopted hometown fans, found immediate success with his jab and straight left hand. Round two saw Vazquez knocked down and badly hurt by a left hand from Lara. Showing a tight defense along with an impressive array of uppercuts and right hooks, Lara poured it on until referee Telis Assimenios stopped the fight at 1:13 of round four.

Lara vs Vazquez Photos

Other Results!

In his professional debut, light heavyweight Yordanis Despaigne (1-0) successfully defeated Robert Campbell (3-2-1, 3 KO's) via unanimous decision. The former Cuban Olympian Despaigne, who controlled the fight from the outset, won by scores of 40-35, 40-36 and 39-37.

Middleweight Yudel Johnson (1-0, 1 KO) delivered in his professional debut with a sensational TKO of Greg Weathers (3-1, 3 KO's). The 2004 Olympic silver medalist from Cuba wasted no time, knocking his opponent down twice before the referee called a halt to the bout at :52 of round one.

Welterweight Ed Parades (22-3, 13 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Gilbert Venegas (10-7-3, 7 KOs). Scores were 58-55, 58-55 and 57-56.

RINGSIDE NOTES:

At ringside were living legends "Raging Bull" Jake Lamotta and "Hands of Stone" Roberto Duran plus Hollywood star Matt Damon, reality show celebrity Kourtney Kardashian, Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl XXXI MVP winner Desmond Howard.

The Smith vs. Gutierrez was the headliner of a card promoted by Arena Box Promotions in association with JAOLI Fight Promotions, Caribe Promotions and de Cubas Presents at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, FL.

Other Photos