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Main Event Report by Shannon S. Richard

Humberto Soto vs Cesar Figueroa 10 rounds Featherweights

This should have been the main event. We all remember Soto from his 12 round war with Kevin Kelley last year, where he dropped a narrow decision. Since then he has had two solid wins. Tonight he took an unknown Mexico City fighter with an excellent record. Cesar Figueroa (127) stepped into the ring with a 23-1-2, 16KOs record, his only loss coming by disqualification. Granted his opposition was questionable, but as he came out for the first round it was apparent he was a fairly polished product. Soto (127) took his time to evaluate his opponent, and probably gave away the first three rounds by allowing Figueroa to come forward and press the fight. Soto decided he had his man figured out in the fourth round, and became more agressive, committing to hard punches. Late in the fourth Soto connected with a perfect counter left hook right on the jaw that dropped Figueroa. Figueroa managed to beat the count and survive the round, but Soto was now in complete control. Soto kept the pressure on in the 5th and 6th, scoring impressively with hard multiple jabs. About halfway through the 7th round, Soto connected with an astounding series of clean left uppercuts to the head of Figueroa, then turned the left into a hook to the side of the head which sent Figueroa reeling into the corner. Soto followed up with clean lefts and rights to the head of the defenseless Figueroa, and referee Joe Cortez stepped in to save him. TKO for Soto at 2:36 of round 7. Another impressive performance for Soto, who improves to 26-5-2, 15KOs, while Figeroa drops to 23-2-2, 16KOs. Over his last three fights in Las Vegas Soto has shown the package: intelligence, power in both hands, a solid chin, and ability to box from the outside or stand inside and bang if he has to. And at only 22 years of age, we fully expect to see Soto right in the top ten mix at 130 pounds in the next couple of years.

Melinda Cooper vs Reiko Maruyama 4 rounds Women Bantamweights

Palo Verde High senior Melinda Cooper got her first exposure on ESPN2 and made the most of it. She was matched with Reiko Maruyama of Nagano, Japan, for a rematch of their 4 round war back in July, which saw Cooper take a majority decision in what many observers thought could have gone the other way. Tonight it was clear which fighter has progressed further. Melinda (117 1/2) looked very sharp with her punches, short, straight, and quick. She also has turned her left hook into a weapon, which she used to hurt Maruyama to the body. Maruyama (118), on the other hand, appeared to be much the same brawler she was in their first encounter. By the end of the first round it was clear that Cooper's superior skills would take her to a clear victory in this rematch. In the 2nd round, Cooper continued to be effective with her hard left hook, and followed it with clean, if not powerful, rights to the face. About a minute in, Cooper backed Maruyama into a corner with clean shots, and referee Joe Cortez very quickly stepped in and waved it off. Official time 1:21 of round 2. Though Maruyama was taking clean shots, she looked to be reasonably still in the fight. Maruyama's people were understandably upset at the stoppage, and a shouting match between the two corners ensued. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed before the conflict could escalate. Despite the arguably early stoppage, it was clear that Cooper was in command and well on her way to victory. Though Cooper did not quite satisfy those who would like to have seen a little more pop from her punches, particulary her right hand, she did show improved skills. And let's not forget she's not yet 18 years old, so she has plenty of time to develop more power in her right hand. Cooper now 7-0, 4KOs. Maruyama is not as bad as her current record of 2-3, 0KOs.

MAIN EVENT Friday Ahunanya vs Terrence Lewis 10 rounds Heavyweights

This was a hastily thrown together main event for ESPN2, and it showed. Sparring partner Friday "the 13th" Ahunanya (one of best nicknames in sports) was trying to ride a wave of notoriety created when he was praised by his previous employer Mike Tyson. All Friday showed on this Friday was another indication of how faded Tyson is. From the opening bell both guys fought like they were worried about running out of gas. This was a big opportunity for Friday (239) to make a good impression on ESPN2 over a faded Terrence Lewis, but he did not possess the talent to capitalize. As for Lewis (254), we've never seen hem fatter. In the past, Lewis was always worth watching because of his ability to make something happen at any time with one of his big loosey-goosey overhand rights (See Lewis TKO9 Robert Davis, Lewis KO9 Ed Mahone, Lewis knocking down Greg Page and David Izon before getting knocked out). Tonight it was clear Lewis did not possess that threat. The two men lumbered through a seemingly interminable 10 rounds. No knockdowns, very few punches landed. At the end it was unanimous: all three judges, as well as lvboxing.com, scored it 95-95. Don't think we'll ever see either of these guys in a main event again. Ahunanya now 17-1-1, 9KOs, Lewis 31-12-3, 16KOs.

The next Friday Night Fights at the Orleans will be March 28.

RUIZ-JONES PREDICTION

Many boxing observers, including Kevin Iole of the RJ, Dan Rafael of USA Today, and Ron Borges of the Boston Globe view the size difference as insurmountable for Jones. Y'all must've forgot the last time a light heavyweight champion stepped up and challenged for the Heavyweight Title. Michael Spinks overcame roughly the same size difference to wrest the title from Larry Holmes. Jones is better than Spinks, and I'm not so sure Ruiz could beat Larry Holmes today. Jones either equals Spinks' performance with a 12 round decision win, or betters it with a late round TKO. Whatever happens, it will be great to watch. Even a cautious fight fought from a distance will be compelling, because of that size factor and the historical significance. Enjoy, everyone.