A battle of Puerto Rican junior lightweights noticed Henry Lebron outlast Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz in a 10-round co-feature at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The scores had been 97-93, 97-93, and 96-94, all for Lebron.
Within the first spherical, Diaz pushed ahead whereas Lebron patiently arrange feints to land counters. It was a tactical spherical, with each fighters displaying one another respect early on. Nothing important occurred, however it set the stage for the drama of the later rounds. Diaz closed the hole within the second spherical, and Lebron landed the primary significant punch of the struggle, sending the Puerto Rican crowd right into a frenzy. Lebron, 27, stayed tactical, utilizing his distance staying exterior and clearly outworking Diaz. Diaz’s first significant shot got here towards the tip of the spherical with a left hook to the physique.
Within the third, Diaz landed a tough proper hand, however Lebron answered with three punches of his personal because the struggle picked up. On the finish of the spherical, Diaz, 30, acknowledged Lebron, as if to sign the struggle was on, and Lebron, stoically, appeared to agree. Diaz continued to chop off the ring within the fourth spherical, however Lebron’s hand pace stored him from touchdown or throwing persistently. Each males landed strong photographs, however neither took management after 4 rounds, as rigidity remained excessive.
Lebron’s elusiveness within the fifth spherical stored Diaz from cornering him, utilizing each inch of the ring and making Diaz miss. After his finest spherical of the struggle, Lebron nodded at Diaz, displaying some gamesmanship. By the sixth, Lebron had gained full management, with Diaz coming ahead however unable to dictate the tempo. Simply because it appeared Diaz was out of the struggle, he landed the most effective flurry of punches of the night time, briefly placing Lebron on the ropes.
Within the seventh, Lebron as soon as once more showcased his quick ft and arms, whereas Diaz pressed ahead, reducing off the ring and focusing on Lebron’s physique. Lebron didn’t transfer as a lot as he had in earlier rounds. Spherical eight noticed an excellent spherical, as Lebron appeared to take a breather, maybe saving himself for the ultimate two rounds. Diaz landed an enormous proper hand with seconds left within the spherical, and moments later, the 2 clashed heads, opening a lower above Lebron’s left eye. The bleeding endured into the ninth spherical as Lebron emerged from his nook. Diaz grew extra aggressive, trying to impress Lebron right into a commerce, however Lebron remained elusive. A wild proper hand from Diaz, Lebron countered with a flurry of punches whereas Diaz continued to press the motion with out utilizing a jab.
Within the remaining spherical, with many assuming Diaz was down on the playing cards, he pushed ahead, touchdown a clear proper hand that audibly struck Lebron’s head. Lebron, bruised and drained, remained tough, with Diaz chasing him across the ring in quest of a knockout. After Lebron landed a straight left from the southpaw place, neither fighter landed something important because the spherical got here to an in depth with Lebron letting out a “woo” earlier than the bell.
Lebron snapped a 13-month layoff with the win, bettering to 20-0 (10 KOs), whereas Diaz drops to 29-5 (19 KOs), ending his three-fight knockout streak.
