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Antonio DeMarco (22-1-1, 16 KO's, 134.5 pounds) vs. Jose Alfaro (23-4, 1 NC, 20 KO's, 134.5 pounds)

 

 

This belt is being created in this match. The actual WBC 135-pound titlist is Venezuelan Edwin Valero. (Valero was mistakenly listed as being from Mexico in the last recap. Thanks to Scott for the correction.) Valero is supposed to make a mandatory defense of his belt against DeMarco, but that may not happen anytime soon. The Venezuelan is having visa problems, because of a series of felonies he is accused of in the United States. Therefore, this interim belt is being created to appease DeMarco.

 

DeMarco came to prominence with a technical knockout victory at 3:00 of round 9 over Almazbek "Kid Diamond" Raiymkulov on February 7, 2009 at the Pond in Anaheim, California. This was the only televised undercard match on a Showtime event featuring Vic Darchinyan vs. Jorge Arce. The thinking was that having the Mexican Arce on the card would draw a heavy Latino audience, who would embrace DeMarco, a native of Tijuana, Mexico, should the prospect perform well against Diamond. DeMarco won, but it was not a crowd pleasing performance. The match was marred by numerous fouls. It was eventually stopped in the corner after round 9, when Diamond said he was too injured to continue. That was after the doctor ruled Diamond was fit to continue. A full recap of this match can be found here: http://www.number1contender.net/the-latest/2009/7/5/recap-of-antonio-demarco-vs-kid-diamond.html

 

DeMarco defeated Anges Adjaho in his only match since the victory over Diamond by knockout at 2:59 of round 9 by knockout to become the mandatory contender to Valero's belt on July 11 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The early part of this match was awful. The opening rounds featured as much action as the average Great Khali match. DeMarco was so lethargic that he gave away the majority of these early rounds. DeMarco's trainer urged the boxer to increase his workrate after round 3. The boxer responded with all the enthusiasm Booker T showed in his last few months in TNA. This match was so boring, that the normally exuberant Gus Johnson, who was doing play-by-play of this event, was calling this match like a like night DJ on a smooth jazz station that is trying not to wake the audience up while announcing he was about to play more Kenny G. The match continued to be contested at a leisurely pace, meaning after 7 rounds Adjaho was ahead on the scorecard. Despite this deliberate pace, Adjaho ran out of gas in round 8. Then the match completely changed. Adjaho was so exhausted in round 8 that his hands had dropped substantially. That created the best action round of the match, so far, and DeMarco won it. The match then ended strangely in round 9. With 12 seconds to go in round 9, Adjaho was hit with a hard left hand. That caused Adjaho to step back and take a knee with 10 seconds to go in the round. DeMarco tried to press his advantage as Adjaho stepped back and landed a grazing left hand to the back of the head as the boxer from Benin had just taken a knee. It was an insignificant punch. However, Adjaho was looking for a way out of the match and saw this as his opportunity. Adjaho had the energy to complain to the referee. Then Adjaho proved to be a poor actor, turning his head and laying face-down on the match. Adjaho was trying to appear like he was in so much pain he was crying on the canvas. The referee applied a count, so that Adjaho could hear him. Then the second the referee waved off the match, Adjaho stood up acting perfectly fine to complain about the stoppage. It was a very sad display. A full recap of this debacle can be found here: http://www.number1contender.net/the-latest/2009/10/27/recap-of-antonio-demarco-vs-anges-adjaho.html

 

DeMarco is The Ring magazine's number 9 contender at 135 pounds to their champion in the weight class, Juan Manuel Marquez.

Alfaro is a former 135-pound titlist. On December 29, 2007, Alfaro defeated Prawet Singwancha by split decision at Seidensticker Halle in Bielefeld, Germany to capture a form of the WBA 135-pound belt. The WBA was creating a new vacant 135-pound title in this match. That is because their normal title holder, Juan Diaz, had been elevated to become a "Super" champion. This allowed the WBA to create a fake belt and collect more sanctioning fees. The belt that Alfaro held the was equivalent of ROH's old Number 1 Contender's Trophy. Like the ROH Number 1 Contender's Trophy, boxer's are required to defend their trinket until they receive a shot at the actual title. Unfortunately, Alfaro never received a shot at the actual WBA belt. That is because he dropped his version of the belt in his first defense. On May 19, 2008, Alfaro lost via technical knockout to Yusuke Kobori at 2:08 of round at Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. (In fact, no one who holds that belt has ever received a shot at the real belt. That has allowed the WBA to collect sanctioning fees on 2 belts for years, rather then unify them. At this point, it does not appear those belts can be unified until the middle of 2010 at the earliest. That means a lot more sanctioning money for the WBA.)

 

This is Alfaro's first time boxing in the United States. He has only been to the United States one other time. Alfaro had a layover at the airport in Miami, Florida on his way to the match with Kobori in Tokyo. The Nicaraguan reportedly spent most of his time in Miami at the airport gift shop. Alfaro has only come to Las Vegas less then 1 week before this match. That may be a huge mistake. For someone who has never been to the United States, there can be a huge culture shock going to Las Vegas. There is usually a huge culture shock for people from the United States traveling to Las Vegas for the first time. One person traveling to Las Vegas for the first time, who arrived at night adeptly described it "as if Disneyland exploded" with all of the flashing lights and pageantry. That person also stayed at Treasure Island, where Alfaro is likely staying. It could be a big distraction to a newcomer that there is a pirate ship battle outside the casino about 3 times every night.

 

Alfaro's last match to earn him this interim title shot was a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Moises Castro on June 6, 2009 at Polideportivo Espana in Managua, Nicaragua. Castro entered the match 3-4-1 with 2 no contests in his last 10 matches. In fact, the last time Alfaro has even defeated a boxer coming in off a single victory was 8 matches ago. Alfaro defeated Arturo Gomez by knockout in round 2 on July 13, 2007 at the Casino Pharaohs in Managua.

 

Alfaro is unranked by The Ring, and ranked by boxrec.com as the number 44 boxer in the world at 135 pounds.

 

At 23-years old, DeMarco is 2 years younger than the 25-year-old Alfaro. DeMarco has the height advantage standing 5' 9" tall, while Alfaro stands 5' 8" tall. Both boxers have a 71" wingspan. Neither boxers' unofficial weight approaching match time is available, but it appears the thicker Alfaro might be slightly heavier when the boxers stand next to each other in the ring. Both boxers are naturally right handed. However, only Alfaro will box out of the orthodox stance. DeMarco will employ the southpaw stance.

 

The unified rules of boxing are in effect for this event. Limited instant replay for the referee to review whether a blow that lead to an immediate stoppage was caused by a legal blow or foul is in place for the first time at this boxing event in Nevada and for all events going forward. The rule was just put into place on October 27. The use of instant replay is at the sole discretion of the referee. The rule is a lot more complicated, but that will only be dealt with should the need arise. Two of the judges keeping official score of this match from ringside are from Nevada and the other is from Arizona. The referee is Joe Cortez.

 

DeMarco easily wins a deliberate round 1, 10-9. Both boxers are listed as having the same wingspan. However, DeMarco clearly has the longer arms and is able to dominate the match when it is contested on the outside. DeMarco's arms are so much longer than Alfaro's, that Alfaro cannot even get within punching range of DeMarco on the outside when DeMarco consistently uses his jab. With 55 seconds to go in round 2, Alfaro goes to he mat when the Nicaraguan misses when lunging to tie-up DeMarco. The referee correctly rules it a slip and the action is resumed with 50 seconds to go in the round. DeMarco controlled the distance in round 2 and won it huge, 10-9. Alfaro is not very durable with 2 knockout losses in his career. If DeMarco is able to produce a few more rounds like round 2, this should be a very short night for the native of Tijuana. Sometime in round 2, blood began to flow out of the left nostril of Alfaro. DeMarco lands a few good power punches to win round 3, 10-9, and after 3 rounds leads on my scorecard, 30-27. The 3 members of press row all have DeMarco ahead after 3 rounds: 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.

 

DeMarco wins a relatively slow round 4, 10-9. This match is being contested at a very slow pace for boxers at 135 pounds. Still, it is by far the most entertaining DeMarco match this year. To open round 5, there is some swelling under the left eye of Alfaro. It is from repeated right hands. Alfaro has started holding his left hand higher to protect the eye. The Nicaraguan is having significant problems with the entire left side of his face. Since round 2, Alfaro has been trying to wipe the blood away from his left nostril and now he is trying to wipe at his left eye. The boxer's breathing and vision are clearly badly inhibited at this point and his body language is letting DeMarco know that. Therefore, DeMarco is further targeting the injured part of Alfaro's face. With around 50 seconds to go in round 5, DeMarco is beginning to bleed from both nostrils. Round 5 is the best action round of the match. DeMarco is continuing to try to move and box on the outside. The problem is that DeMarco is not particularly good at that. DeMarco circles very slowly on the outside. Therefore. Alfaro is continually able to apply pressure and trap DeMarco in corners. However, Alfaro has not been able to land combinations when he finally has DeMarco pinned. In round 5, Alfaro was able to land his combinations. Unfortunately, DeMarco landed a few more hard combinations to win round 5, 10-9, and leads on my scorecard after 5 rounds, 50-45. This has not been a very hard match to score, and all 3 members of the press have DeMarco ahead after 5 rounds: 50-45, 50-45, 50-45.

 

DeMarco easily wins a much slower round 6, 10-9. In the last 15 seconds of round 7, there is some swelling forming under the right eye of DeMarco. That is from being hit by repeated left hooks. DeMarco appears to land more punches to win round 7, 10-9. The pace of this match slowed to a crawl in round 8. Still in round 8, DeMarco was able to land a hard body shot and combination that had Alfaro badly hurt. That means DeMarco wins round 8 easily, 10-9, and leads on my scorecard after 8 rounds, 80-72. After round 8, a close-up in the corner reveals that there is severe swelling under both of Alfaro's eyes. Alfaro's trainer then urgently tells his charge that the boxer is running out of time to do something to win this match. Unfortunately, there is no fire in Alfaro's eyes showing a look of urgency. It is clear to everyone that Alfaro needs a knockout, which at this point is terrible news. Alfaro has never knocked out an opponent past round 8 and DeMarco has not even been knocked down in his professional boxing career. This is a very easy match to score, and after 8 rounds all 3 members of press row scoring the match for Showtime have DeMarco ahead: 80-72, 80-72, 80-72.

 

DeMarco wins a closer round 9, 10-9. That round was relatively close enough that some judges may score it for Alfaro out of pity. With 2:20 to go in round 10, Alfaro takes a hard right hook to the temple and goes stumbling into the ropes. That should be a knockdown, because the ropes were the only thing keeping Alfaro standing. The referee is not ruling a knockdown. Instead, he is ordering the action to resume with 2:14 to go in round 10. DeMarco immediately pins Alfaro against the ropes and unleashes a combination. That causes Alfaro to take a knee to recover with 2:10 to go in the round. None of the punches in that combination forced Alfaro to a knee. Alfaro took a knee, because he was still hurt from the right hook to the temple. This match needs to be stopped by the referee or Alfaro's corner. Alfaro dropped to a knee as a form of code that he needs out of this match. That is only the fourth time Alfaro has been knocked down in his professional career. Since Alfaro was not hurt by a punch in that combination, he stands up with 2:07 to go in the round. That was the second DeMarco backed away and headed to a neutral corner. Before the referee reached the count of 8, Alfaro looked out of the ring to further signify he wanted out of this match. The referee is going to allow the action to continue with 1:58 to go in round 10, but Alfaro is clearly out on his feet. Another right hook to the head has Alfaro crashing to the mat with 1:40 to go in round 11. The match has to be stopped at this point. Alfaro is able to make his feet, but is not even looking at the referee as he counts. Instead the boxer is staring out of the ring. The referee then looks out of the ring as he applies his count to see if Alfaro's trainer is up on the apron to stop this match. There is blood all around Alfaro's right eye as the referee foolishly allows the boxer to continue with still 1:28 to go in round 10. The 3 knockdown rule is not in effect for this event. With 52 seconds to go in round 10, Alfaro was trapped in the corner and decided to drop to a knee. Alfaro had only been knocked down 3 times in his professional career entering this match. He has now been knocked down 3 times in this round. The referee is stopping the match with 51 seconds to go in round 10, a moment after Alfaro's knee touched the canvas. That stoppage is a little late, but appropriate.

 

The official outcome courtesy of the always "Classy" Jimmy Lennon, Jr. is that at: 2:07 of round 10 the referee has called a stop to this match making the winner by technical knockout, still undefeated, and new Interim WBC Lightweight Champion of the World, Antonio "Tony" DeMarco. The official judges' scorecards all had DeMarco ahead at the time of the stoppage: 90-81, 89-82, 89-82. The latter 2 scorecards gave round 9 to Alfaro. The most experienced judge on the panel gave every round to DeMarco. The win moves DeMarco to 23-1-1 with now 17 wins coming by way of knockout.

 

DeMarco, still crying tears of happiness, was too overwhelmed with emotion to say much of note in his post-match interview. He just said that his promoter, Gary Shaw, would decide what his next match would be when asked about potentially going to face Valero in Venezuela. There is no way Shaw is sending DeMarco to Venezuela to face Valero. Shaw is a smart man and knows that no matter what happens in that match, DeMarco would not defeat Valero in Venezuela.

 

The new champion remained The Ring's number 9 contender at 135 pounds following this victory. DeMarco was dominant in this victory. This is the third straight time DeMarco has knocked out an opponent in the opening match of a Showtime Championship Boxing event. Still for a boxer who has 3 straight knockouts, he is boring to watch. His management wants him to box this defensive style to prolong his career. There are 2 significant problems with that style. The first is that boxers who employ that style have a very hard time drawing money, no matter how long their career is. The second problem is that DeMarco is not a particularly fast mover. DeMarco has just appeared very fast, because he has faced boxers that are very slow and limited. Should DeMarco face a boxer capable of applying effective pressure or that actually has good speed, he could be in real trouble. Valero has a style that could make DeMarco look very bad. DeMarco is either going to need to get much better at moving or develop more skills to deal with the division's top boxers. Should visa issues allow DeMarco to avoid Valero, he should continue to box against far more limited competition in the immediate future. DeMarco would be best to next face an opponent ranked around number 20 at 135 pounds in his next match, and move up his level opposition much more gradually.

 

Alfaro was bad in this match. It is clear he is not a world championship level boxer. The only reason Alfaro ever held a world title was because the WBA saw him as an easy payday and did not care about devaluing their belts. The Nicaraguan would have been a heavy underdog to beat the actual WBA Champion Juan Diaz to win the real WBA title. Alfaro will probably continue his career beating limited opposition in Nicaragua. With the plethora of belts out there, that may land him another title shot in the future.

This match was boring. The crowd tried to pretend it was entertaining, but it was not.