Jessie Vargas Wins via Unanimous Decision over Antonio DeMarco

Jessie Vargas vs Antonio DeMarco

Junior Welterweight

Official weigh-in results: Jessie Vargas (140) vs. Antonio DeMarco (139.3)

Referee:  Luis Pabon

Judges:  Stanley Christodoulou, Levi Martinez, Pinit Prayadsab

All the judges gave the match to Vargas, giving him a total score of 116 over the 112 given to DeMarco.

The match started out evenly, with both boxers giving each other an almost equal number of jabs, trading jabs back and forth. The first round was largely uneventful, though boxing analysts said that Vargas actually hit DeMarco with more shots.

Both boxers were still cautious during the next few rounds but a headbutt caused a cut on Vargas’ face, just under his left eye. On the second round, DeMarco still outlanded Vargas but the latter was able to turn the battle around beginning on the third round.

Heavier punch combinations were traded starting Round 5, with Vargas clearly dominating the rounds now. Coach Freddie Roach could be heard telling DeMarco he did not like how the boxer was hit on Round 5.

Although Vargas had a chance to dominate on the 7th round, he was still hit by a four-punch combination just before the bell rings on this round.

A visibly shaken Vargas was hit by heavy blows on Round 9, causing him to stagger but he held his ground. By this round, he is also bleeding on the nose.

Vargas’s face was a mess by the end of the 12th round but he managed to convince the judges that he was the better fighter, winning the match via unanimous decision.