Lopez Shocks Oliver!
Left Hook Ends Bout in 3rd

May 7, 2008 - Boston, MA
Ringside Report: Shane Hennigan
Photos: Emily Harney

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Cappiello Promotions and ESPN2 boxing had the city of Boston rocking this past Wednesday as Wednesday Night Fights provided the jam-packed audience at The Roxy with upsets, knockouts, and action throughout. "It was a fantastic night of boxing," stated Cappiello Promotions president Rich Cappiello.

The atmosphere at The Roxy has always been something special on fight night, but on this occasion it even surpassed the norm. The Roxy has been known to have a cult-like following for boxing events for years, and although this event was held midweek, it was no exception. "All you had to do was look out into the crowd, and you knew it was a great card," Cappiello stated. "The fans that come out to watch the fights we put on at The Roxy are incredible. They truly appreciate the action and the effort the fighters put forth. They were on their feet more than they were in there seats!"

In the main event, former two-time world title challenger Reynaldo Lopez (29-5-2, 20 KOs) scored a shocking third-round knockout victory over previously undefeated IBF #2 super bantamweight Mike "Machine Gun" Oliver (21-1, 7 KOs). Oliver, who appeared to be in command until the sudden one punch ending, was caught flush with a tremendous left hook from the Colombian native. The punch leveled Oliver, forcing him to spiral face down to the canvas. Though Oliver managed to climb back to his feet, around the count of seven, veteran referee Dick Flaherty, seeing that Oliver still didn't have his legs completely under him, called a halt to the bout. The official time of the stoppage was 1:22 of the third stanza.

"I had an extra three pounds to work with, and I felt stronger than ever," an elated Lopez stated. "He wasn't moving his legs, and he left himself open every time he threw a punch. I thought he'd have more power, so I took it to him"

While Lopez entered the bout coming off two consecutive losses, and quite a bit of inactivity, both of those defeats were suffered at the hands of current world champions. In November 2006, Lopez lost a competitive twelve round decision to Cristian Mijares in an eliminator for the interim WBC super flyweight title, and in September 2007, Lopez moved up two weight divisions and competed in a toe-to-toe battle with current WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon.

Much to his credit, Oliver, who had expected a shot at a world title in the near future, has been more than willing to maintain his activity level, rather than sit around idly waiting for a title opportunity. Oliver won the IBF title elimination bout over Cruz Carbajal in July 2007 but the anticipated showdown with IBF champion Steve Molitor did not occur, therefore kept busy earning a unanimous decision victory over Al Seeger to capture the IBO title (November 2007) plus the fight with Lopez.

Oliver, though disappointed, remained very positive about his future. "I'm good. I'm fine," Oliver declared. "No excuses, but he caught me in the back of the head, just prior to the knockdown, and I just never got a chance to recover. I'm going to get right back in the gym. No time off, just get right back to it. I'd love a rematch with Lopez, or I'd still love to fight Molitor. Maybe, Molitor won't be afraid of me now, and he'll take the fight with me, but I doubt it He'll probably use my loss as another excuse! It don't matter, I'll fight anyone!"

As for Lopez, he has definitely shown that he is a test for any fighter between 115 to 122 pounds. Unfortunately for Lopez, he might now have to deal with the same situation as Mike Oliver has been forced to deal with for quite some time. As with Oliver, the champions may consider Lopez to be too good, too dangerous, for his own good.

Lopez vs Oliver Photos

"The Truth" Prevails!

In the co-feature bout, Antwone "The Truth" Smith (10-1, 6 KOs) scored a third-round knockout victory over "The Contender's" Aaron "Two Guns" Torres (16-7, 6 KOs). In the second round of their welterweight affair, Smith followed a stiff left jab with a perfectly placed left hook, immediately dropping Torres to the canvas. "I dropped him with a good shot in the second round, but he still got up," stated Smith.

Following the knockdown, Smith continued to land clean, hard punches against Torres, but didn't seem overly anxious in pursuing a potential stoppage, and Torres survived to fight another round.

"I was trying to pace myself for eight rounds," Smith explained.

Smith's concern for going the distance, would soon become irrelevant, as a big right hand, just prior to the 2:30 mark of the third stanza, seriously wobbled Torres, introducing him to the canvas for the second time. This time, Torres would remain kneeling on the canvas as the referee counted to ten.

The official time of the stoppage came at 2:35 of the third stanza.

Despite the disheartening loss, Torres' manager, Paul Tyler, told FightNews.com that "Although Aaron is very disappointed right now, we already have another fight lined up for him." While that fight is yet to be finalized, Tyler expressed his desire to see Torres return to the 140-pound junior welterweight division. "I'd like to see him back down at 140 pounds. That is where he is at his best."

Smith vs Torres Photos

Eklund Decisions Velasquez!

In the second bout of the evening, Lowell, Massachusetts junior welterweight Sean Eklund (6-2, 1 KO), who is trained by his uncle "Irish" Micky Ward, won a four round unanimous decision over Worcester, Massachusetts' Jose Velasquez (0-3). With Eklund, having already earned a split-decision victory over Velasquez back in February, he managed to have an easier time with the tall and lanky stature of his opponent on this night, earning a unanimous four round decision.

"He really gives you a different look," Eklund stated. "This was my second time fighting him, and it still took a little bit to try and get accustomed to him."

While it may have taken Eklund a few rounds to adapt to the style of his foe, a few extra punches and a head butt from Velasquez, all coming after the bell, and requiring the need for referee Dick Flaherty to separate the two upon completion of the third round, may have given him some added incentive.

In the fourth and final round, Eklund picked up the pace tremendously, much to the delight of his legendary uncle, Ward. "He just has a tendency to start off slow, and that makes it difficult when you are only fighting four-rounders," Ward stated. "He's got to start the fight, the way he fought that fourth round."

Judges at ringside scored the bout 40-36, 40-36, 39-37.

Eklund vs Velasquez Photos

Caminero Pummels Butler!

Heavy-handed Lawrence, Massachusetts middleweight Eddie "Thunder" Caminero continued his winning ways, with a third-round technical knockout victory over Philadelphia pro-debuter Adrick Butler (0-1). Caminero (4-0, 4 KOs) wasted little time in forcing his will upon Butler, charging across the ring, throwing ill-willed punches from the onset, yet he later accredited his victory, ironically enough, to his jab. "I hit him with some big shots, but it was my jab to the body that seemed to gradually wear him down," Caminero stated. "I just kept jabbing him in the solar plexus, and I could hear him grunt every time I landed."

Whether it was the result of the jab or the bombs Caminero consistently hailed down upon Butler, the affect eventually took its toll. In the third round, Caminero managed to drop Butler to the canvas three times, utilizing a variety of different onslaughts, before referee Javier Lopez finally waived off the bout, thus saving Butler from any further punishment.

Following the action-packed victory, Caminero's trainer, Sean Farley told FightNews that he was content with the win, and Eddie's preparation for the fight. "Eddie can really punch, and, again, that is what you saw tonight. He has power in both hands, and that is a rarity in boxing," Farley stated. "He was very well prepared, and he is in as good of shape as you could expect for a four round fighter."

Caminero vs Lopez Photos

Trader Outpoints Rosario!

In the fifth and final bout of the evening, all of which found their way onto the nationally televised ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights broadcast, former Philadelphia amateur standout Frank Trader (1-0) earned a unanimous decision victory over Springfield, Massachusetts' Luis Rosario (4-13, 2 KOs). Though Rosario hadn't fought in over thirteen years, the thirty-five year-old veteran of sixteen fights presented Trader with a tough challenge for his pro debut.

In his last bout, back on November 8, 1994, Rosario suffered a first-round knockout defeat at the hands of former USBA Featherweight Champion Angel Vazquez.

While Trader controlled the action throughout, Rosario did have his moments, giving the debuter a good introduction into the professional ranks.

Judges at ringside all had the bout tallied at 40-36, in favor of Trader.

Trader vs Rosario Photos