A thrilling night of boxing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, saw Henry Lebron emerge victorious, dealing Juan Tapia his first-ever stoppage loss. This comeback fight for Lebron, after over a year away, showcased his dominance and strategic prowess.
Lebron, with an impressive record of 21-0 (11 KOs), dominated Tapia from the get-go. In the sixth round, he intensified his attack, backing Tapia into a corner and exploiting his opponent's injured left eye. With a relentless right jab and clever pivoting, Lebron controlled the fight, leading to a stoppage in the seventh round.
For Tapia, this was a bitter pill to swallow, marking his first loss by stoppage in a nearly 12-year professional career.
Post-fight, Lebron, who had previously been signed to Matchroom Boxing and now represents Most Valuable Promotions, expressed his readiness to face the top contenders at 130 pounds. "I want the champions, whoever is ready to fight," he declared confidently.
The undercard also featured some intriguing matchups. Chris Echevarria, a local favorite, secured a win against Gabriel Bernardi in a six-round bantamweight bout, but the decision was met with boos from the crowd. Echevarria, known for his powerful right hands, faced a surging Bernardi who was landing clean shots due to Echevarria's lack of head movement.
In a battle of unbeaten middleweights, Alexis Chaparro emerged victorious over Augusto Leal by unanimous decision. Chaparro, a 25-year-old from New York, flirted with a knockout in the final round but ultimately secured the win on points.
Elise Soto, an unbeaten featherweight prospect and protege of Amanda Serrano, made a dominant Puerto Rico debut. She stopped Liliana Martinez in the second round, showcasing her power and aggression. Soto, who grew up in New Jersey but now trains in Puerto Rico, has an impressive amateur background, reaching the final round of the 2022 USA National Championships.
Other notable results include Abner Figueroa Cotto remaining undefeated with a unanimous decision win over Edwin Rodriguez, and Yandiel Lozano, a silver medalist at last year's Youth World Championships, improving to 3-0 in his pro career with a unanimous decision victory over Johniel Ramos Cotto.
The opening bout saw Caleb Tirado make a successful professional debut, stopping Justin Hill in the second round of their bantamweight fight.
These exciting matchups and outcomes showcase the depth and talent within the boxing world, leaving fans eager for more. Who will be the next contender to rise to the top? Only time will tell.
