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kenyan_cheena · 03-07-2008, 05:32 AM

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST:
ZULUETA BECOMES LATES MEDAL WINNER
TO LOSE IN PROFESSIONAL DEBUT

Wednesday 18 September 2002

It was only eight days ago when sports journalist James Reynolds wrote a column for the New York Age in which he stated that some of the International Boxing League's Olympic medal-winning competitors were "looking too far ahead". The article came in the aftermath of surprise defeats suffered by Jamaica's Mike McCallum, Germany's Graciano Rocchigiani and the Puerto Rican Felix Trinidad in the league's World Championship regional qualifying tournaments. At the end of it Reynolds said that he "wouldn't be surprised if we see two or three more upsets of this nature before series one is completed".

Well, we didn't have to wait long for another name to be added to the list as Cuba's Lightweight silver medallist Orlando Zulueta lost a split decision verdict to Dominican Republic native Vilomar Fernandez (58-57, 57-58, 58-57) tonight at Havana's Gran Stadium. It's true that Fernandez is quite a talented fighter in his own right but Zulueta was expected to be too classy and sharp for him to handle. In the end the opposite proved to be the truth as Fernandez overcame a slow start to finish strongly, sweeping rounds four through six on two scorecards.

Despite the surprise result it was by no means an extraordinary or even a dramatic contest. Both men fight a similar style and spent most of the evening camped behind a potent left jab, scoring quite well with it. Where Zulueta lost the bout was, unsurprisingly, in the bottom half of it as he was either unable or unwilling to match Fernandez's aggression and workrate. His inability to do this allowed the contest to slip through his fingers where even one convincing round out of those last three would have reversed the result.

Fernandez's corner exploded with jubilation when the verdict was announced, the 20 year-old collapsing to his knees and saying a thank you to the heavens. The crowd sat in stunned silence, many unable to comprehend that their greatest hope for success in the Lightweight division had fallen to defeat in his debut. Zulueta appeared beyond consolation, knowing he'd disappointed so many and also knowing that there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

Punch totals

Fernandez: 116/690 (.168)
Zulueta: 111/387 (.284)

(to be continued)

03-07-2008, 05:32 AM	#482 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,390	ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: ZULUETA BECOMES LATES MEDAL WINNER TO LOSE IN PROFESSIONAL DEBUT Wednesday 18 September 2002 It was only eight days ago when sports journalist James Reynolds wrote a column for the New York Age in which he stated that some of the International Boxing League's Olympic medal-winning competitors were "looking too far ahead". The article came in the aftermath of surprise defeats suffered by Jamaica's Mike McCallum, Germany's Graciano Rocchigiani and the Puerto Rican Felix Trinidad in the league's World Championship regional qualifying tournaments. At the end of it Reynolds said that he "wouldn't be surprised if we see two or three more upsets of this nature before series one is completed". Well, we didn't have to wait long for another name to be added to the list as Cuba's Lightweight silver medallist Orlando Zulueta lost a split decision verdict to Dominican Republic native Vilomar Fernandez (58-57, 57-58, 58-57) tonight at Havana's Gran Stadium. It's true that Fernandez is quite a talented fighter in his own right but Zulueta was expected to be too classy and sharp for him to handle. In the end the opposite proved to be the truth as Fernandez overcame a slow start to finish strongly, sweeping rounds four through six on two scorecards. Despite the surprise result it was by no means an extraordinary or even a dramatic contest. Both men fight a similar style and spent most of the evening camped behind a potent left jab, scoring quite well with it. Where Zulueta lost the bout was, unsurprisingly, in the bottom half of it as he was either unable or unwilling to match Fernandez's aggression and workrate. His inability to do this allowed the contest to slip through his fingers where even one convincing round out of those last three would have reversed the result. Fernandez's corner exploded with jubilation when the verdict was announced, the 20 year-old collapsing to his knees and saying a thank you to the heavens. The crowd sat in stunned silence, many unable to comprehend that their greatest hope for success in the Lightweight division had fallen to defeat in his debut. Zulueta appeared beyond consolation, knowing he'd disappointed so many and also knowing that there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. Punch totals Fernandez: 116/690 (.168) Zulueta: 111/387 (.284) (to be continued) __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...