Vargas defeats Manzanilla by decision in a rough and tumble

World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Rey Vargas, defeated Franklin Manzanilla by UD, in a difficult rough tough fight, successfully defending his title for the fourth time, at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, United States.

Vargas was painfully surprised in the second round, with a shuddering left hook to the chin, that sent him down hard to the canvas. Despite Manzanilla’s ensuing unorthodox onslaught, Vargas managed to survive the round. And in the corner, legendary Coach Nacho Beristain was a calming and objective influence, sending out a re-focused Rey.

By the fourth the Vargas composure had returned. A long straight right set up a powerful ensuing left, which wobbled the poker face rough hewn Venezuelan. Vargas was also finding a home for some hard rights to the head and some sinking body clouts.

Referee Raul Caiz Sr deducted a point from Manzanilla in the seventh round, following a blatant clash of heads, which opened a small cut to the side of the champion’s right eye.

In the very next round, the Referee deducted another point after yet another clash of heads, which left Vargas with a deeper divot cut under his left eye.

Vargas intelligently used his longer reach to propel hard left jabs followed by accurate rights to fend off the telephone booth charges of the grimly determined Venezuelan, trying to pull his head away in the rough house battering ram clinches.

At the end of the twelve scrappy rounds, the judges’ cards were 117-108 in favor of Vargas Roldán who improved his record to 33 wins with 22 knockouts.