Angelo Leo became Albuquerque’s first male world champion since the great Johnny Tapia with an accomplished display against Tramaine Williams to win the vacant WBO 122lbs crown at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut on Saturday night. Scores were 118-110 (twice) and 117-111.
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet, it just feels surreal,” said Leo (20-0, 9 KOs). “The first few rounds I was just feeling him out, getting his timing, getting the feel of him. I felt him kind of loosening up and breaking down, and that’s when I started putting the pressure on him a little more.
“That was the key factor in this fight, the body work and the pressure. I’m pretty sure Albuquerque is celebrating tonight. I think they have [five] world champions, because you can’t exclude Holly Holm. You have Johnny [Tapia], Danny [Romero], [Bob Foster was forgotten by Leo], Holly and now me. There’s [five] champions in that city and I think I’ve made history there.”
Photo: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.
Mayweather Promotions fighter Leo dictated with persistent pressure and a blistering body attack after a bright start from southpaw Williams. The New Haven fighter was never able to narrow the gap and, in the later rounds, the contest became about survival only.
According to punchstats, Leo had a 248-196 edge in punches landed. 102 of his 248 blows were body punches.
Leo was originally supposed to face Stephen Fulton Jr. before the Philadelphian tested positive for Covid-19 and Williams stepped in from the co-main event. The new champion must now defend his title against Fulton, the WBO’s No.1 contender, within the next 180 days.
“Congratulations to Leo, he did it,” said Fulton afterwards. “But listen, I’m ready for him. I’ve been ready. Just be ready to face me when it’s time. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Photo: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.
In a WBA super-bantamweight title eliminator, Ra’eese Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) stopped Marcus Bates (11-2-1, 8 KOs) in the 10th round of a rematch. Aleem, who won their first bout by decision, was originally scheduled to face Williams before Fulton’s positive test.
Bates suffered an injured right wrist and battled through the pain barrier for several rounds. Before the 10th, Bates’ corner and referee Gary Rosato warned the fighter that the bout was in danger of being stopped. In the 10th, a grimacing Bates turned his back on the action, causing the fight to be halted.
In the opening bout, unbeaten light-heavyweight Joe George (11-0, 7 KOs) scored a memorable ninth-round finish of Marco Escudero (10-2, 9 KOs) in another rematch.
Behind on two scorecards, George dropped Escudero with a vicious left uppercut that sent his opponent flat on his back in a knockout of the year contender.
Main photo: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.