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Ponce De Leon: Happy To Be Throwing Punches
TUE August 14, BUSTER PARIS - Why is De Leon rushing straight at Bautista? No jabs. His left arm is a bazooka with Cleto Reyes as the ammo of choice. ‘BOOM’ – it hits. Bautista backs off, and De Leon is, of course, shooting forward. No jabs. He’s lunging in and thrusting that left into Bautista’s life.
August 11th at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California - Golden Boy Promotions put on another great World Cup of Boxing event between Mexico and the Philippines, and Mexico wasn’t doing well. Favored Jhonny Gonzales had just eaten a nasty liver shot (against Gerry Penalosa), 7th round knockout, and lost his title.
As the main event was approaching, there was a bad vibe about what Daniel Ponce De Leon’s (won 32 - KO 29 & lost 1) chances were against undefeated Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (won 23 - KO 17 & lost 1). Rey’s a tough, fast moving, fairly polished boxer with some respectable skills, and a clear hunger to eat up as many victories and titles as he can.
Daniel’s skills are somewhat questionable. De Leon is a wrecking machine that is in the process of developing some very good tools, but for the most part he just throws any punch, from any angle, and wont stop ‘til it’s over.
Watching Bautista as the introductions were being read, you couldn’t help but think that this was going to be his night.
Remember what Apollo Creed told Rocky about that look in Rocky’s eyes before their first fight? If you’re nodding your head and saying “Ya, Eye of the Tiger” then you know. And “Boom Boom” Bautista had it big time. From ring walk to introductions he had this amazing look of desire and determination. He possessed a strong, and deep knowledge that he was not going to lose.
De Leon just looked happy that he was going to be able to throw punches. No look of concern, no intense focus. No look of a Champion who was fighting to protect ownership of his brand new title and strap. No “Eye of the Tiger”. Just a man about to have fun getting punched in the face, while punching someone else in the face.
‘Ding’ – round one:
The feeling out process in the first round lasted a couple of seconds. Ponce dispensed with the niceties and launched out that powerful left. No jabs, just that ruinous left that has taken down 29 of his 33 opponents.
Rey landed a shot or two, and showed some nice footwork. He was incredibly light on his toes and moved well as he hopped away from Daniel.
They both engaged again, and slugged away at each other, and then, at around the 50 seconds remaining mark, Ponce pulled the pin and the grenade hit Rey as a savagely stunning right/left combination that exploded perfectly on Bautista’s chin.
It was almost indistinguishable as to which hand hit him first, as the right and left came beautifully in right on top of each other, almost majestically, and elegantly, like the folding of a hand fan.
Rey folded up the same way, and awkwardly crumpled to all fours on the canvas.
Bautista got to his feet, and once again De Leon was on him, pummeling him. Daniel looked happy that he was going to be able to throw more punches. No look of concern, no super intense focus. No look of a Champion who was fighting to protect ownership of his brand new title and strap. No “Eye of the Tiger”. Just a man about to have fun getting punched in the face, while punching someone else in the face.
Rey goes down again, and referee Jon Schorle stops the bout.
Ponce De Leon wins his first title defense via a TKO with only 30 seconds remaining in the first round.
It was a great nights work for Daniel, his power punch stats particularly stand out with 49% of them having had landed.
When asked, post fight, about his plan for this match, Ponce smilingly stated, “I came ready to throw hard punches from the beginning.” And that, he did. All the while - happy to be throwing punches.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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