Toney edges Oquendo!

Report by Francisco Salazar & Edgar Gonzales
Photos by "Big" Joe Miranda

Heavyweight contender James Toney wanted to fight a boxer who was not going to run from him on Saturday night.

However, it was the jabs and awkward style of Fres Oquendo that almost did Toney in, almost erasing an opportunity for a title shot.

Toney won a close 12-round split-decision victory over Fres Oquendo at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif. The bout headlined a six-bout card, presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Toney was fighting for the first time since his July, when he fought to a third round no decision against Hasim Rahman. The bout was originally ruled a technical knockout for Toney, but was changed because of the fact that Rahman was unable to continue because of an accidental headbutt before the completion of the fourth round.

Oquendo came in to this fight as a replacement for heavyweight contender Tony Thompson, who suffered from an acute bronchitis infection that did not allow him to train.

Toney displayed savvy ring generalship and defense in the opening rounds as Oquendo pressed the action. Toney countered well with right hands to the head of his opponent. Oquendo began to find openings on top of Toney's defense, landing right hands to the head. However, Toney was at his best when he stalked Oquendo across the ring.

The middle rounds saw Oquendo pick up the pace, throwing more punches. Oqunedo's jab began to land more frequently as Toney attempted to counter and set up one punch. Most of the middle rounds were close and difficult to score as both were able to land.

Oquendo was deducted a point in the eighth round when a punch landed on the back of Toney's head. Referee Lou Moret had already warned Oquendo for the same penalty. The point deduction proved costly for Oquendo as that point would have the result of the fight a split-decision draw if it was not deducted.

The deduction seemed to spur Oquendo. He pressed the action and was rewarded with being able to land more jabs and the occasional right hand to the head and body.

Toney landed the more effective punches in the final round. He was able to score with hard right hands to the head and the stomach.

While Oquendo threw and landed more punches, Toney was the one who seemed to convince two judges with his ring generalship and the harder punches.

One judge scored the bout 116-111 for Oquendo, while the other two judges scored the bout 115-112 and 114-113 for Toney. Fightnews.com scored the bout 114-113 for Oquendo.

"This was a tough fight," said Toney, who won two titles with the victory over Oquendo. "He did not want to fight all of the rounds with me. I was the aggressor in the fight. He was running from me."

Oquendo offered a different opinion on the fight.

"I knew that I won the fight," said Oquendo, who had his three-bout winning streak snapped. "It was a two-point difference in my opinion.

I was stronger and more active in the fight, which worked for me. I deserve a rematch."

Punch stat numbers reinforce Oquendo's argument that he won the fight. Oquendo threw 740 total punches, connecting on 222, while Toney threw 491 total punches and connecting on 154 of them. Toney did have one edge in that he landed 67 power punches compared to Oquendo's 59.

Toney, from Calabasas, Calif., by way of Detroit, improves to 71-6-3, 43 KOs. Oquendo, from Chicago, by way of San Juan, Puerto Rico, falls to 29-5, 18 KOs. – Francisco Salazar

Ward demolishes Camou

In a super middleweight bout, Andre Ward (17-0, 12 KOs) continued his unbeaten professional record when he demolished Esteban Camou (23-5, 19 KOs) from Navojoa, Mexico.

Ward was in command from the sound of the bell with impressive footwork and his pinpoint accuracy. In round two, Ward dominated the stanza with his lighting-quick left, forcing Camou to step back, not giving him a chance to breath.

The 2004 US Olympic Gold Medallist Ward cornered the outcast and after 265 punches thrown per CompuBox numbers, Pat Russell stopped the fight, as Camou didn’t fire back.

According to CompuBox Camou only threw 94 punches. Time was 2:46 of round 3.

"He was a tough fighter, but I eventually wore him down," said Ward, who is tentatively scheduled to fight in February in his hometown of Oakland. – Edgar Gonzales

Chambers decisions Salif

Heavyweight contender Eddie Chambers won a tactical, yet methodical eight-round unanimous decision over Cisse Salif.

Salif had the height, reach, and weight advantage over Salif. However, Salif, who has lost four out of his last five bouts, did not apply them and allowed Chambers to dictate the pace.

Chambers was the busier fighter as he moved in and out of Salif's reach. He also found a home for lead right hands to the head of Salif.

Salif would move forward, but would throw only one punch at a time. He landed the occasional looping right hand to the top of Chambers' head, drawing a wink or a smile from Chambers.

The fifth round was Chambers' best as he landed a series of right hands that backed Salif back up against the ropes. Chambers also scored with double left hooks that found their mark as well.

Chambers picked up the pace, but was content to get rounds in to win his third bout in a row since his only loss to Alexander Povetkin in January.

All three judges scored the bout in favor of Chambers by scores of 79-72, 79-72, and 79-73. Fightnews.com scored the bout 79-73 in favor of Chambers.

Chambers, from Philadelphia, improves to 33-1, 18 KOs. Salif, from Las Vegas, by way of the African country of Mali, drops to 23-12-2, 21 KOs. – Francisco Salazar

Scott tops Butler

Undefeated heavyweight Malik Scott pounded out a one-sided victory over faded heavyweight Raphael Butler.

Scott was the busier and more accurate puncher throughout the fight. He opened the bout scoring with left hooks to the head of Butler. Scott continuously peppered Butler's face with hard jabs to the face.

Butler increased his punch output in the third round. However, Scott controlled the round with an abundant of jabs and right hands to the head.

Butler opened the fourth round strong, Scott landed combinations that were set up by jabs. Butler hoped to counter with one big shot, but was unable to land anything flush.

As Scott was content to box, Butler began to slow down in the second half of the fight. Scott kept finding a home for right crosses or right uppercuts to the head of Butler.

Butler was in survival mode in the final round. Scott wobbled Butler with a right uppercut to the head, but Butler held on and survived the round.

All three judges scored the bout in favor of Scott, with scores of 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73. Fightnews.com scored the bout 80-72 in favor of Scott.

Scott, from Philadelphia, improves to 32-0, 11 KOs. Butler, from Rochester, Minn., drops to 34-8, 27 KOs. – Francisco Salazar

Estrada KOs Spaid

In a middleweight bout Shawn Estrada (2-0, 2 KOs) of East Los Angeles knocked down Shaun Spaid (3-3, 2KOs) seconds from the opening bout.

Spaid beat the count, but wasn’t enough to sustain the beating Estrada unleashed after Spaid got up. Referee saw enough and waved it off after 0:43 seconds of round one. – Edgar Gonzales

Crossty decisions Soto

In a four-round lightweight bout, Mel Crossty (5-0) from Cincinnati, won a unanimous decision against Alberto Soto (1-2) from East Los Angeles. Score was 40-36 twice and 39-37. – Edgar Gonzales

Notes

- Heavyweight contender Chris Arreola, Heavyweight Javier Mora, Lightweight prospect John Molina, and baseball great Pete Rose took the action in from ringside.

- The card was shown live on the Versus Network. Barry Tompkins and Wally Mathews called the action from ringside.

- The card was held outdoors in an enclosed tent to accommodate the larger-than-expected crowd, which protected the crowd and ring from the rain and wind. 

- Ring announcer was Jimmy Lennon, Jr.