Ringside by Andreas Hale & Anthony Springer Jr.
Photo by Chris Cozzone
Former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (43-4, 35 KOs) pounded out a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Eduardo “Chucky” Lazcano (24-3, 11 KOs) on Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Ponce De Leon was in command of every moment of every round, winning 100-90 on all cards to claim the vacant WBC USNBC super featherweight belt.
Junior middleweight Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (23-5, 11 KOs) returned from an 18-month layoff to score a fourth round TKO over Ayi Bruce (21-7, 13 KOs). A barrage of punches prompted a stoppage by referee Kenny Bayless. Time was 2:10.
In a women’s featherweight clash, former world champion Jessica Rakoczy (32-3, 12 KOs) returned to the ring for the first time since 2009 to stop Brittany Cruz (8-6-1, 1 KO) in round four. Cruz was down in the rounds three and four before referee Vic Drakulich waved it off at 1:21.
Junior middleweight Daquan Arnett (3-0, 2 KOs), a former amateur standout, destroyed Jose Martell (2-2, 2 KOs). The bout was waved off after two knockdowns in the first stanza. Time was 2:41.
