03:23:02
BARRIOS AND MAIDANA READY FOR CO-MAIN
An understated entrance for ‘El Azteca’ Mario Barrios, who is accompanied by a host of ceremonial dancers. Barrios is quite the specimen. How he ever coped sub-147 is anybody’s guess.
Opponent Fabian Maidana comes from good stock himself, as the brother of Marcos Maidana. The Argentine can bang a bit so this should be good value.
03:04:44
FIGUEROA KOs MAGDALENO
“And just like that, it is over!” screams Todd Grisham as Brandon Figueroa tucks in a lovely left hand to the body.
It may not have been pretty for the Texan, but that is a highlight reel finish. The referee counted Jessie Magdaleno out at 2-59 of round nine.
Interim king Figueroa now turns to full WBC featherweight king Rey Vargas. That would be an interesting stylistic affair, given Vargas’ ability to box and move.
02:54:56
MAGDALENO MIX UP
Magdaleno has done a really good job of slowing Figueroa’s output. That said, the southpaw does appear to be tiring. A combination of missing weight and getting hit south of the border a few rounds back have taken their toll on Jessie.
Magdaleno vs. Figueroa (Getty Images)
02:42:09
FIGUEROA GOES LOW
Jessie Magdaleno is writhing in agony after shipping a low blow in the fourth. Referee Allen Huggins lacks sympathy for the recipient, trying to hurry things along.
Away from the dirty stuff, Figueroa is struggling to impose his will. Jessie’s corner is happy with their man’s strategy, though Mr Huggins has grown tired of his blatant holding.
Jessie Magdaleno (Getty Images)
02:30:09
HEARTBREAKER FIGUEROA IN THE RING
Mercifully, the card is moving along swiftly. Our next participants are already sizing each other up as Brandon Figueroa attempts to get past a Jessie Magdaleno banana skin.
Magdaleno starts out strongly in round one and lands the right hook, but Jessie suffers a cut. Cuts have been prevalent across the night. Hopefully, it won’t affect things too much.
02:26:46
STANIONIS AND MAESTRE ASSESS THEIR PERFORMANCES
“I know I said there would be no ring rust, but of course it’s different once you’re in the ring with all the lights,” said Eimantas Stanionis. “It was very emotional to be back in the ring after such a long and frustrating time. It wasn’t my best performance. I’ll be back next time and better for sure.
“The power shots were the difference. He was just touching me and I was hitting him with big shots and putting pressure on him all of the time. It was a do-or-die fight for him and I think he had a good performance and I was just okay.
“I just want to be active. That’s the main priority. I was off for two years and in my country of Lithuania where there isn’t the best sparring. Next camp everything is going to be better.”
Gabriel Maestre said: “I felt Stanionis respected me, it was a tough fight. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted with the world title, but we gave the fans a show and, like I said in the press conference, it was a show stealer.”
“My corner gave me good advice and encouragement throughout the fight. I’m very appreciative of Coach Salas and my entire team.
“I’m going to come back stronger. No doubt about it. I’m eager to see what’s next.”
02:10:28
STANIONIS BEATS MAESTRE UD12
We go the full 12-round distance, and the results are in. Our three judges handed in scorecards of 119-109 (Chris Migliore), 118-110 (Don Trella), and 117-111 (Steve Weisfeld). There is no real doubting the winner, although Migliore’s card seemed a little harsh on Maestre’s efforts.
A really good, honest scrap for the WBA title. The body exchanges, in particular, were terrific. Stanionis’ hard left jab and underrated defence saw him through. A true rust shaker following his extended ring absence.
No shame for Maestre, who suffers defeat for the first time as Father Time also hunts him down. This might’ve been his one and only chance to grab a huge win.
01:52:29
MAESTRE COMING ON STRONG
We’re into the championship rounds here in Las Vegas. Eimantas Stanionis is still grinding away. Maestre touching the body frequently.
Maestre is running out of rounds to cash in those cheques as a left hook lands between Stanionis’ punches. A possible late twist in the tale?
Stanionis vs. Maestre (Getty Images)
01:39:41
WHO WILL LAST THE PACE BETTER?
It’s a battle of will versus will as we hit the middle portion of the bout. Stanionis promised to bring a Mexican style, and so far, he’s delivering.
A few questions need to be answered as the bout goes on. Stanionis has been out of action for around two years, while Maestre is 37 years old. Stamina and energy will be tested.
01:30:26
TWO PUNCHERS LOOKING TO LAND HEAVY
Stanionis started strong, but Maestre’s uppercut is working well. Two very evenly matched boxers.
Our referee, Robert Hoyle, said, “Don’t make this about me” while giving his pre-fight instructions.
MC Jimmy Lennon Jr announced the judges as Chris Migliore, Don Trella and Steve Weisfeld which differs from our list. We’ll keep an eye on that as this one progresses.
Stanionis vs. Maestre (Getty Images)
01:19:20
STANIONIS VS. MAESTRE BEGINS
Eimantas Stanionis is back in the ring for the first time in forever. His former amateur opponent, Gabriel Maestre, is in the opposite corner.
Two head-down bangers who like to slug it out. Should be tasty.
00:53:05
RAMOS IS BACK, SCORES BIG KO
The finish time is recorded at 2-56 of round nine. Ramos wins by TKO. Good work from Harvey Dock, who jumped in at the right time.
No post-fight comments from Ramos. Perhaps they took him away to stitch up the cut.
Shout out to Las Vegas-based Gonzalez, who was super tough and knocked out for the time in his career.
Max DeLuca, Glenn Feldman, and David Hudson were the unused judges. With the prelims over, the pay-per-view portion is next.
00:46:52
THE BEATDOWN IS OVER IN ROUND 9
When there’s a long smear of blood across the camera, you know someone is having a rough time of it.
While it’s Ramos’ blood, Gonzalez is finally stopped. The ubiquitous Ismael Salas offered him a strenuous pep talk in the corner before the ninth.
However, even the legendary Cuban could only watch as his man was dropped, marginally beat the count, and suffered a follow-up battering.
While the ending flurry was impressive, the initial left hand that dropped him was a cracker.
00:36:32
RAMOS SUFFERS A CUT
An accidental headbutt leads to a steady stream of blood down the side of Ramos’ left eye. It’s a bad one.
Gonzalez is tough, but he’s taking a tanking right now. The corner no doubt having a scan over him.
00:30:20
‘IT’S A MUGGING RIGHT NOW!”
Mauro Ranallo is enjoying the all-action approach of Jesus Ramos, who comes out throwing early-round bombs.
Can Gonzalez do anything more than just stay within touching distance? That’s the question.
Jesus Ramos (right) vs. Johan Gonzalez (Getty Images)
00:21:27