IN a battle of patient power punchers, Lindolfo Delgado defeated Elvis Rodriguez via majority decision after 10 rounds of cagey action in the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas.
Delgado retained his WBO Latino super-lightweight bauble in a bout that also served as a WBC 140-pound title eliminator. Judge Chris Migliore scored it even at 95-95 while both Eric Cheek and David Sutherland favoured Delgado’s added aggression, scoring it 96-94 apiece to the Mexican.
Many of the rounds were tight and tense as Delgado stalked menacingly, looking to establish his jab. Rodriguez was low output, but his southpaw jab and right hook landed when he threw them, which wasn’t often.
Rodriguez suffered an abrasion around the left eye as trainer Freddie Roach called for more front-foot activity from his man. Back in the ring, referee Allen Huggins warned Delgado for low blows in the sixth.
Delgado was rocking in round nine from a flash left hand. Rodriguez stepped forward as his face continued to swell but he was visibly tiring by the 10th and final round, unable to push over the line and grab the win or a draw.
Delgado, 23-0 (16 KOs), rightly celebrated at the verdict, while Rodriguez, 17-2-1 (13 KOs), sulked off. The Dominican knew this kind of chance would become few and far between as his career dwindled. The 29-year-old loser had won six straight to get here. Delgado is unbeaten and has advantages, but won’t overly trouble the top fighters at the weight based on his recent showings.
