Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko Results from Atlantic City & HBO:
At Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko took center stage on HBO’s tripleheader, while Showtime’s quadruple-header raged on in Brooklyn. Check out the full results from the card here, as well as a photo gallery from all of the action.
Fight Night Photos – Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko, Kirkland vs. Tapia & Macklin vs. Russ
Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko Results
Guillermo Rigondeaux shut out Joseph Agbeko in his latest ridiculous display of boxing and ring generalship. And when I say shut out, I don’t mean that he won almost every round, I mean, he did win every round.
All three judges scored the Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko fight 120-108 for a gaping Unanimous Decision victory.
Rigondeaux was just calm and in control throughout the bout. Agbeko couldn’t do anything against the speed, timing or skill of Rigondeaux. He was left somewhat helpless, unable to open up for fear of the counter-punch. Still, Rigondeaux didn’t just lay back the whole evening. He was forcing the action and being the aggressor, even if he wasn’t swinging for the fences, like say, James Kirkland or Glen Tapia (see below).
Altogether, an impressive showing from Rigondeaux, even if Agbeko is a guy who is past his best. Was it enough to make Rigondeaux the Fighter of the Year? We’ll have to see.
Kirkland vs. Tapia Results
Fireworks were expected in this one, and each man came out from the opening bell swinging for the fences. The exhilarating first round saw Tapia dominate the action and land huge shots for the first half of the stanza, before Kirkland came in with his nonstop aggression and work rate, and backed Tapia into the ropes to land his own big punches.
Kirkland came on in a major way in Round 2, with three minutes of a seemingly continuous barrage of power punches. Tapia mostly covered up on the ropes and moved around, as Kirkland poured it on. Tapia responded in Round 3 in a thrilling session as each man tagged the other and was staggered before tiring out as over the last minute of the session.
It was all Kirkland in Round 4, as Tapia appeared to be gassed, fading, or both, but his iron chin and will kept him upright. As his corner warned him they would stop the fight, Tapia came out and rallied in Round 5. He landed a few solid punches but Kirkland was a rolling freight train that wouldn’t be denied.
Tapia survived the 5th and came out for the 6th, but it didn’t take long from there. Tapia was out on his feet when the referee Steve Smoger jumped in to halt the action in the midst of a two-dozen punch barrage which finished off the “Jersey Boy”.
What a fight and what a showing from both men.
Macklin vs. Russ Results
Matthew Macklin told the world he’s not done yet, and also told the world that Lamar Russ isn’t ready just yet either. Macklin largely took the fight to the inexperienced prospect, controlling the fight and doing more damage throughout the entire contest.
Russ had his moments with his ranginess and technical skill, but Macklin was clearly the better fighter in the ring.
For Macklin, the win was much-needed and keeps his career at the top level of the sport alive, as opposed to being relegated to a gatekeeper. For the lengthy Russ, it should serve as a learning experience, and he has plenty of time to bounce back from this in the future.
Official scorecards read 96-94, 98-82 and 97-93 for Macklin.
—-
Keep on checking back with Proboxing-Fans.com for more updates, and post-fight coverage and analysis from the entire HBO card and the Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko results.
