Emmanuel Rodriguez Drops Melvin Lopez Three Times In Final Round, Wins IBF Bantamweight Title By Wide Decision
By: Sean Crose
The vacant IBF bantamweight title was on the road Saturday evening in Maryland. The 21-2 Emanuel Rodriguez battled the 29-1 Melvin Lopez in a bout scheduled for 12 that was the principle even of a Showtime/PBC card. Rodriguez landed the extra telling punches within the first. The Puerto Rican fighter’s combos instructed the story of the second. The third was shut, however Rodriguez’ pictures have been merely superior to Lopez’. Indeed, Rodriguez’ combos might have edged the fourth for him. Lopez tried pushing the motion patiently within the fifth. Was he being too affected person?
The sixth was shut, however as had been the case, Lopez wasn’t in a position to land the higher punches. Lopez landed a pleasant straight proper within the seventh, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient, particularly when one thought of the actual fact Rodriguez was successfully making use of stress. The eighth noticed Rodriguez touchdown with sharp accuracy. By the ninth it was clear Rodriguez was merely to robust and professionally disciplined for Lopez. Indeed, it regarded as is Lopez would wish to let all of it go if he hoped to in some way win the battle. Rodriguez continued to push the motion whereas Lopez continued to battle off the rear foot within the tenth. Sure sufficient, the group started to boo.
Rodriguez might have needed the knockout, however he wasn’t going to select up the tempo sufficient to attain one within the eleventh. Lopez may need gone for broke within the twelfth, however – maybe looking for his personal security – didn’t. Rodriguez, alternatively, made a final ditch effort to finish the evening early. Sure sufficient, Lopez went down within the last minute of the spherical. Lopez beat the rely, however was put down once more. Once extra, Lopez received up. And as soon as extra, Lopez went down once more, solely to rise up a 3rd time. He made have made it to the ultimate bell, nevertheless it was Rodriguez gained the battle in addition to the IBF belt through a large unanimous choice.
