9-5-2008 
In the co-main event, a battle of two of the top welterweights in the
state of New Mexico; Joaquin Zamora halted Ray Sanchez III in the third
round when the doctor halted the action due to a cut over Sanchez III
right eye. At the time of the stoppage Zamora was in control of the
fight - wobbling Sanchez III numerous times during the bout.
The two welters stepped it up to battle each other in a bout fans have called for during the past three years.
In
the first round both tried to establish their jabs, with Zamora
pressing forward and Sanchez III countering with his. Zamora seemed the
sharper of the two as Sanchez III’s punches missed often and wide.
Although there weren’t many fireworks, Zamora was able to land a good
flurry at the end the round, to maybe steal it on the scorecards.
Round
two was all Zamora, as he continued to fire his jab while avoiding
Sanchez III punches. Zamora exploded in the final minute when he landed
a hard left hand the stunned Sanchez III which caused Sanchez III to
grab Zamora; as the referee broke them up Zamora jumped all over
Sanchez III, landing punch after punch sending Sanchez III reeling to
the ropes and trying to hold for dear life. Sanchez III was all but out
on his feet as the bell rang, as he slumped to the ropes only to have
them hold him up. Sanchez II went to his corner with a cut over his
right eye.
In round three Zamora came out using his composure
in knowing he had a wounded fighter in front of him, keeping patient
his plan was landing right jabs followed by left hands to the head.
Sanchez III to his credit would try to fire back, but he didn’t have
the firepower to keep Zamora from coming forward. Midway thru the round
referee Steven Blea called timeout to have the ring doctor look at
Sanchez III’s eye. Sanchez III was unable to continue with Zamora
raising his hands upward to the sky in signaling victory.
After
the bout Sanchez III claimed the cut was the result of a head butt,
although replays showed several times it was a left jab the caused the
cut. "It was a butt. I don’t see how a jab could cause so much damage,"
stated Sanchez III. He also said he wanted a rematch with Zamora.
Sanchez
III has been halted twice in less the 12 months (last December by Julio
Caesar Chavez Jr.) and doesn’t look like the same fighter he was
earlier in his career…his punches aren’t as sharp and are wide and he
doesn’t seem to take a punch as well either. Hopefully his team will
take a long look to see where he goes from here.
As for
Zamora, he has opened up opportunities to be more active with the win
on national television…maybe a rematch with Sanchez III will be next or
Top Rank will use him more on upcoming cards. He was rated as high as
8th by the WBA, but due to inactivity his ranking was taken away. Now
it seems he will be a busy man in the future. Source: http://www.secondsout.com/reports/index.cfm?ccs=529&cs=28873
|
