Il Duce wrote:"RODRIGO VALDES TAKES MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE"
Fighting in front of a small crowd of 700, at the Campione' d'Italia, a small casino in Northern Italy
along the Italy and Switzerland border, Colombian - Rodrigo Valdes captured the World (WBA/WBC)
Middleweight Championship by winning a Unanimous 15-Round Decision over American - Bennie Briscoe.
Most regarded the performance of both Rodrigo Valdes and Bennie Briscoe as 'lousy', as there was a
lack of good clean punching, as well as many lapses of dull pauses throughout the middle rounds.
After a dull and non-action in Rounds 1 and 2, Rodrigo Valdes utilized his better boxing slills and technique
to take control in Round 3.
Though Bennie Briscoe moved forward, he was clearly out-boxed by the Colombian, who used his superior reach
and counter-punching skills to build up a solid points lead after 8-Rounds. Though the American moved forward,
he failed to land any effective punches on the Valdes during the early and middle Rounds.
Rounds 9, 10 and 11 were dull, as the action slowed to minor counter-punching, and lapses of non-action.
Bennie Briscoe came to life in Round 12, when he landed a tremendous right hand to Valdes mouth, which
sent the mouthpiece flying as well as drawing blood from the Colombian's mouth.
But whatever Bennie dished out in Round 12, he was less effective after that, as Valdes picked up his pace
in Round 13, and scored with crisp punches to thwart off Briscoe's attack.
The Colombian kept up the pace in Rounds 14 and 15, as Briscoe trudged forward looking for the 'one-punch'
which never came.
* Scorecards
* Referee - Wally Thon........146-144 {6-4-5 in Rounds}
* Judge - Paul Tailayrach.....148-143 {7-2-6 in Rounds}
* Judge - Aime Leschot........149-142 {8-1-6 in Rounds}
Rodrigo Valdes, 'I knew I wasn't going to knock out Bennie because he's as hard as a rock. It took me '2-Rounds' to
warm up, but then I went to work by using my left jab and counter-punching. After the 8th-Round, my corner told me to
pace myself for a few Rounds because I had a big points lead. I took it easy for a few Rounds to rest. But, he did hit
me good in the 12th Round, and I was hurt for a moment, but my head cleared and boxed out of danger.'
Carlos Monzon, 'After the Bell ending the fight, I went right over to Rodrigo's corner to congratulate him. He boxed
boxed well and fought a smart fight. I knew he won.'
Bennie Briscoe, 'I don't know what the Judges were looking at. They were lousy. I pressed the action for the whole
fight, and I landed the best punch in the fight (Right-hand in the 12th Round). He won the last 3-Rounds, but that's
about all I would give to him.'
George Benton (Bennie Briscoe's - Trainer), 'It was a close fight, but I'm not sure what the Judges were looking at.
I can't believe that Judge (Aime Leschot) only gave Bennie 'one-round' (12th Round). We'll ask for a rematch of course.'
Arnold Weiss (Bennie Briscoe's - Manager), 'If it wasn't for Bennie making the fight, there would be none. The only
thing Rodrigo Valdes did was jab and move backwards. He was not the aggressor in this fight. I'm not sure if Rodrigo
will give Bennie a rematch, not after the tough time Bennie just gave him.'
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