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Collazo Victorious
By Mariano A. Agmi at ringside
Photos: Alex Gorokhov
April 14, 2011 |
Native New Yorkers Luis Collazo, Mike
Ruiz and Rafael Vazquez thrilled a packed house that included former
world champions Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Iran “The Blade”
Barkley at the Oceana Hall in Coney Island, Brooklyn in separate
bouts on Wednesday night, each scoring decisive victories over their
opponents.
Former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo (31-4, 16 KOs) made a
successful return to the ring, knocking out journeyman Franklin
Gonazalez (13-9, 10 KOs) after only 3 rounds. Collazo (152lbs),
fighting at junior middleweight after a two year absence, could not
miss, dropping Franklin (151lbs) with a straight left hand at the
end of round 2 and twice in round 3 from sharp left uppercuts.
Referee Benji Esteves stopped the fight after a well placed left
uppercut to the body dropped Gonzalez at 2:14 of round 3.
Puerto Rican junior middleweight Mike “El Cangri” Ruiz improved to
12-4 (6 KOs), dropping Gregory Hackett (2-8) in the sixth and final
round to pound out a unanimous decision by scores of 60-53, 59-54,
and 58-55.
Rafael Vasquez (6-0, 4 KOs) continued his unbeaten streak, knocking
out Juan Luis Melendez (2-6-1) at 1:48 of round 3. Vasquez took over
the close bout in round 3, hurting Melendez with a body punch and
landing a flurry of power shots that forced Melendez’ corner to stop
the bout at 1:48 of the round.
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