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It
was a classic
encounter
between the experienced and battle-tested
veteran and a fast-tracked, young up-and-comer
who stepped up in class to find out if he has
what it takes, and it turned out to be an
excellent
match-up
between two fighters with similar styles.
Both boxers
were determined and relentless, boxing with
impressive work-rates, which made it an
all-action affair from start to finish, with
many rounds very close and difficult to score.
Mendoza,
from Modesto
in California,
injured his right shoulder in round seven,
essentially making him a one-armed fighter, but
was amazingly able to finish the fight using
only his left
in the last
five rounds.
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Bohorquez, the
younger man by ten years at twenty-five, was not
able to conclusively capitalize on his opponents
injury, and Mendoza was
effective with
his
left
hooks.
The Colombian
never stopped trying to find a way, but Mendoza
used all his experience to pull through.
After twelve
scintillating rounds, judges Juan Ardila and Mari
Luz Mosquera scored it 117-111 and 116-112 for
Mendoza, while judge
Camilo Bayona
had it 114-113 for Bohorquez, making the American
the new UBO world champion by split decision.
Mendoza,
who entered the
fight as the UBO Inter-Continental titlist,
is now 27-19-4
(11), in a professional career which started in
2011 and has seen him face some of the best in the
sport. Bohorquez drops to 7-2-1 (3), but more than
proved that he is the real deal, and he will have
learned a lot from the experience.
The main event
of a show promoted by Sergio Andrade, a rematch is
already being discussed between the two camps.
If it happens,
it is bound to be another war!
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