Monessen native Vasquez remains undefeated
PITTSBURGH — Sammy “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez Jr. sent roughly 3,511 people home happy with a technical knockout in the ninth round against James “Keep ’em Sleeping” Stevenson at the “Pride of Pittsburgh” on Friday night at the CONSOL Energy Center.
The event was hosted by former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson and “Iron Mike Productions.”
Vasquez earned the vacant IBF/USBA Welterweight Championship following the TKO at 25 seconds into the ninth when referee Ernest Sharif stopped the fight.
Vasquez, who improved to 16-0 with 12 stoppages, was working combinations and had Stevenson (21-1) against the ropes when Sharif stepped in.
Although Vasquez was ahead on points heading into the later rounds, Stevenson kept pushing the action and got in some good shots on the Monessen native and Iraq war veteran.
“It wasn’t easy,” Vasquez said. “James is very good and a tough fighter. I was pleased with how I fought and I knew that I had to be ready for a tough fight. It really helps me grow as a fighter.”
Vasquez knocked down Stevenson in the eighth, and carried the momentum over into the ninth. The performance from Vasquez caught the attention of Tyson.
“I thought Sammy was sensational tonight,” Tyson said. “He overcame adversity. I really believe he could bring a world championship to the great city of Pittsburgh. I am very proud of him.”
Vasquez came out in a Humvee with his fellow veterans ringside and had the crowd chanting his name. Stevenson came hard in the fourth and fifth rounds to overcome the adrenaline of Vasquez in the earlier rounds.
“You need to keep getting in these types of fights for the experience,” Vasquez said. “I also want to thank God, my family, friends and “Iron Mike Productions” for putting on this fight. I hope to see you again when we come back to the CONSOL Energy Center on Nov. 14.”
Monty Meza Clay (36-3) gave the hometown crowd a show as the Rankin native didn’t settle for a decision when he scored a technical knockout victory over Allan Herrera (32-7) in a 10-round lightweight matchup. Clay has earned 24 stoppages in his career.
“This was one of the biggest victories of my career,” Clay said. “I trained to go the distance. I am looking for an opportunity to fight for a world title. I’m not the biggest puncher, but I’m Mike Tyson at the end of the fight.”
Ukraine native Ievgen Khytrov made short work of Willie Fortune “500” with a technical knockout in 30 seconds of the first round in the opening bout of the main card on Fox Sports 1. Khytrov improves to 6-0 with six stoppages, while Fortune falls to 17-2.
Khytrov made a good impression on the locals before he started throwing punches with a Joe Greene jersey. The Brooklyn resident earned more respect with a flurry of combinations that sent Fortune to the canvas.
Pittsburgh’s Amonte “The Magician” Eberhardt (2-0) entertained the home crowd with a unanimous decision over Travis McLaren (1-5) in a four-round welterweight battle. The scores were 40-36, 39-37 and 39-37.
Cleveland’s Ryan Martin (8-0) earned his fourth stoppage with a technical knockout in 54 seconds over Engelberto Valenzuela in a lightweight bout scheduled for six rounds. Valenzuela was knocked down twice in the round. Martin heard boos before, during and after the fight. Steelers fans just can’t support anyone from Cleveland.
Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (7-0) earned his sixth stoppage in his seventh fight with a TKO at the end of the first over Francisco Javier Reza (12-10) in a six-round welterweight battle. To his credit, Reza stayed on his fight, but Lubin worked him in the corners and the referee called a stop to the fight.
Claudio Marrero dominated Felix Perez to improve his record to 16-1. Marrerro knocked down Perez once in the first and two times in the second before earning the TKO at 2:44, and his 12th stoppage. The featherweight bout was scheduled for six. Perez falls to 8-7.
Vincent Jennings (5-0-1) picked up a unanimous decision over Dennis Galarza (5-1) in a six-round featherweight bout. Jennings and Galarza were able to showcase their skills as Tyson made his way to ringside during the fight.
Steve Geffrard (3-2) earned a unanimous decision over Darius Harris (0-1-1) in a four-round cruiserweight match to open the card. Scores were 40-36, 39-39 and 39-37 for the Miami, Fla. product.