In the chief support bout, the WBO Latino light flyweight (108 lbs max) crown went up for grabs. Mexican Axel Vega (age 22; 15-4-3 entering) vied with Venezuelan Angelino Cordero (16-0-1, 12 KOs; living in Nashville, TN) for the bauble.
Cordero's last four foes came in winless, a combined 0-15. He had fought just one foe with a winning record, so pre-fight one might assume Vega would have the edge. It looked like that reasoning was on point as the rounds progressed. Vega, who stands 4' 9 1/2'' showed more, in the way of effective aggression, with the 26 year old Cordero very often choosing to back up, seeking more to avoid contact than cause it. "There's no way he can win the fight backing up on the ropes," Tarver noted in round one, of the 5' 4'' Venezuelan. "It looks like he's a little dejected," Tarver continued after the fifth. To start the sixth, Vega bore in and landed two sharp uppercuts. It looked like the Mexican would continue the momentum.
In the eighth, more of some of the same from Cordova: "That's a lot of holding right there," Tarver said of Cordova. "It's fatigue, I think he's out of answers," Malignaggi stated.
In the tenth and final round, the crowd showed their appreciation for this, the best action fight of the night. The bell tolled and most all expected Vega to have his hand raised. But no; this is boxing, theater of the unexpected, where a fan must expect to regularly be surprised and appalled at judges' decisions. "I think Vega was up at least three rounds," Tarver stated, and him, Roy and Paulie all agreed they saw Vega winning.
A majority in the stands were in fact surprised, judging by the vocal reaction, when Marc Lichtenfeld read the cards: 97-93 for Cordova, 97-93 for Vega...and 98-92, for Cordova. Split decision and no, not a popular one.
Jones laughed, having warned watchers that maybe we'd be in for an eyebrow-raiser. The Alex Levin 98-92 card...Levin should ideally watch that fight back, with a commission boss and explain the reasoning for seeing that ten rounder in that fashion. Vega deserves it.
