Williams, Cloud, Arreola victorious

Former world champion Paul Williams (41-2, 27 KOs), rebounded from a less then steller performance against Erislandy Lara to defeat Jame Kirkland-conqueror Nobuhiro Ishida (24-7-2, 9 KOs) by one-sided twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ishida never got untracked as Williams’ volume punching was the recipe for 120-108 on all cards.

Undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (25-0, 19 KOs) retained his title with a close split decision over former WBA world champ Gabriel Campillo (21-4-1, 8 KOs). Cloud came out aggressively in round one and dropped Campillo twice. Campillo, however, responded well in round two and proceeded to cut Cloud in round three and gave Cloud fits the rest of the way. Scores were 116-110, 114-112 for Cloud. Campillo was up 115-111 on the third card. Fightnews had Campillo ahead 114-112.

WBC #1 heavyweight Chris Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs) scored an explosive first round knockout over Eric Molina (18-2, 14 KOs). Good action heavyweight fight as both fighters came out bombing with Arreola having the final say with a right hand to the temple that put Molina down and out. Time was 2:30.

Eric Molina: “I said before this fight that if I had Arreola hurt I would come right at him, and I did just that. I landed some big right hands. He was in trouble and holding on for dear life, but he caught me. I did my best.”

In a big surprise, super middleweight journeyman Justin Williams (4-5-1, 2 KOs) upset Alfonso Lopez (22-3, 17 KOs) via six round unanimous decision. Coming off a lackluster performance against Dyah Davis in Key West last month, Lopez was floored in round two two by a clean right hand by the unheralded Williams ad things unraveled from there. Scores were 57-56, 58-55, 58-55.

In his first bout in three years, it was like heavyweight Malik Scott (33-0, 11 KOs) never left as he outpointed Kendrick Releford (22-16-2, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Scores were 79-73, 80-72, 80-72.

February 18th, 2012

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