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ESPN Wednesday Night Fights Recap

May 2, 2007

Mahi Shrine Auditorium-Miami, Florida

Junior Lightweight (130 pounds) 4-Round Match:

Markel Muhammad (2-3, 0 KO's, 127 pounds) vs. Carlos Juan Velasquez (1-0, 1 KO, 127.75 pounds)

Carlos Juan Velasquez is the identical twin brother of Juan Carlos Velasquez, who won by first round TKO earlier in the show. Just like his identical twin brother, Carlos Juan is 22-years-old and fights out of Catano, Puerto Rico. Curiously, Carlos Juan is listed at 5' 9" which is one inch taller than Juan Carlos who was previously listed at 5' 8" tall. Carlos Juan Velasquez's pro debut ended when he knocked out his first opponent in round 1.

Muhammad is 33-years-old and boxes out of Columbus, Ohio. He is giving up three inches in height and has lost twice via TKO, both times in round 1. Muhammad turned pro very late in life, less then a year ago, at his current age of 33. This match seems unlikely to last long looking at the match on paper.

Velasquez is measuring Muhammad for a knockout from the start of round 1, looking for the one punch to end the show. With 1:03 to go in round 1, Muhammad takes a trip to the mat, but it was due to a slip. The slip was correctly ruled as such, and once Muhammad is back up on his feet, the action is resumed with 58 seconds to go in the round. A left hand from the superior boxer sends, Muhammad skidding on his backside on the mat, with 38 seconds to go in round 1. With 27 seconds to go in round 1 Muhammad satisfactorily answers the referees count and the match continues. Round 1, goes to Velasquez, 10-8.  To open round 2, there is swelling under the right eye of Muhammad. Muhammad has a lot of heart to even answer the bell for round 2, as he is clearly over matched. The referee moves in and ends the match with 55 seconds left in round 2. The final punch that caused the referee to step in was a right hand. Muhammad was not severely damaged in this match, because the referee did a good job stepping in when he did. The match was not in doubt, and only very bad things could have happened from the match continuing. Muhammad's people that agreed to this match, should be fired immediately. From the opening bell it was clear Muhammad had no chance, by the way Velasquez set up his punches looking for the one punch knockout immediately. Velasquez was able to posture like that, because he had never faces an offensive threat. Muhammad does not have a punch in his repertoire that can significantly hurt Velasquez. Atlas points out that Velasquez could have been in the dressing room earlier had he thrown more body punches, rather then just head hunting. Still a decisive victory over a terribly outclassed boxer, for Velasquez.

The official decision is: at 2:10 of round the referee stops the match and the winner by technical knockout is, Carlos Juan Velasquez.  Velasquez moves to 2-0 with both wins coming by way of knockout.

This show did not have a single competitive match on it. This show can be skipped without missing much.