Former WBO 140lbs title challenger Alex Saucedo hopes to mount another assault at a world title after easing past Sonny Fredrickson at the MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom, Las Vegas, on Tuesday night.
Scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 in a more measured performance than we are accustomed to seeing from the all-action Saucedo.
“We worked on a lot of things in the gym. It was important for me to get the rounds in and Sonny was a tough opponent,” said Oklahoma City’s Saucedo (30-1, 19 KOs).
“I am ready to take over the 140-pound division. Whatever opportunity comes my way, I will take advantage of it. Most importantly, I got rid of the ring rust and went 10 hard rounds.”
Toledo’s Fredrickson (21-3, 14 KOs) had his moments, but never quite got to grips with Saucedo’s energy and industry, spending too much time backed up on the ropes.
Saucedo left trainer Abel Sanchez after losing a WBO title bid to Maurice Hooker in seven rounds in November 2018 and is trying to reinvent himself with new coaches Pedro Neme Jr. and Eddie Autrey.
On the undercard, Bronx 140lbs hope Josue ‘The Prodigy’ Vargas (17-1, 9 KOs) overcame a cut over his left eye to bombard a tough Salvador Briceno (17-6, 11 KOs) for 10 rounds, but could not budge the spirited Mexican. Scores were 100-90 (twice) and 99-91.
Yet father/trainer Elario Vargas was not in the corner, having violated the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s Covid-19 protocol by leaving Top Rank’s ‘Bubble’ and strolling around the MGM Grand without a mask. Vargas Sr. was forced to leave the property before his son’s fight.
Another super-lightweight prospect John ‘El Terrible’ Bauza (14-0, 5 KOs) returned from a near year-long hiatus to trump ‘Lethal’ Larry Fryers (11-3, 4 KOs) on the cards. Scores were 80-72 (twice) and 79-73.
Currently the busiest man in boxing, Detroit middleweight Isiah Jones (9-2, 3 KOs) had his second fight in two weeks and rebounded from defeat to score a majority decision over previously undefeated Donte Stubbs (6-1, 2 KOs). Scores were 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57.