Jesse Rodriguez retained his WBC super-flyweight title against Israel Gonzalez via unanimous decision in a strong showing but was heavily criticised for repeated low blows throughout the contest.
Rodriguez — who is the youngest active world champion at 22 years old — was warned three times for low blows and had a point deducted in round eight.
The American pressed his man backwards throughout the contest as he looked to counter Gonzalez’s targeted bodywork with ferocious uppercuts. For the opening few rounds, it was a nip and tuck affair with Gonzalez forcing Rodriguez to work extremely hard throughout.
As the contest passed the midway point Rodriguez started to get the better of the exchanges but was never in complete control.
An accidental clash of heads caused a brief break in the action in the eighth round before Rodriguez was given his first warning for a low blow by referee Kenny Bayless. Gonzalez was given time to recover with 46 seconds on the clock.
Then, a few seconds later, Gonzalez was down again from another low blow prompting Bayless to deduct a point from Bam Bam. In the eleventh, another shot strayed low but no point was taken away despite Gonzalez’s protest.
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