Jesus Saracho made a brilliant welterweight debut by upsetting local favorite Alberto Palmetta via split decision in the main event on “Wednesday Night Fights” at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida.
The scores were 97-93 (Saracho), 96-94 (Palmetta) and 96-94 (Saracho).
The battle of southpaws showcased contrasting styles. Palmetta (19-3, 13 KOs), a 2016 Olympian for Argentina, exhibited a textbook style, while Saracho (14-2-1, 11 KOs), a come-forward pressure fighter, brought unique variations that are hard to train for. Despite being the naturally bigger man, Palmetta, 34, respected the power of the 23-year-old Saracho and pressed forward with an educated jab.
Palmetta, originally from Argentina and now living in West Palm Beach, Florida, continued to stalk Saracho, a native of Mexico who now lives in Auburn, Washington. Saracho fought off his back foot, a departure from his usual style. The size of Palmetta wore on Saracho, who had powerful punches but couldn't move Palmetta backward. But Saracho started to find his rhythm at the end of the third round, landing a punch at the bell.
In the fourth round, Saracho threw combinations as Palmetta appeared bored and sat in front of him too much, allowing Saracho to push forward. By the fifth, the fight dynamics shifted, with both fighters taking turns coming forward. Palmetta allowed Saracho to fight his way into the bout, making it a contest between a traditional boxer and a unique craftsman.
The second half of the fight saw Palmetta trying to assert his pressure while Saracho seemed hurt to the body in the sixth round, appearing to go down from a left hook – though it was ruled a slip. Saracho responded late in the session, battling back to carry momentum into the next round. The competitive but slow-paced second half could be described as grueling.
The bout remained steady to the end, with Palmetta showing wear on his eye and Saracho not bouncing around the ring as much after struggling in rounds six, seven and eight. Palmetta, sensing a close fight, pressed Saracho, who threw wild exchanges, forced the pace and made it tough for his opponent – especially in the ninth round, which was fought in spurts.
In the 10th and final round, both corners urged their fighters to go for a knockout. With 30 seconds left, Palmetta stalked Saracho, who fought off the ropes, concluding with a final sequence of punches that saw Saracho rock Palmetta with a left hand in the final seconds of the fight.
Saracho bounced back from a loss to Starling Castillo on ProBox TV in March. Palmetta saw his biggest win – a defeat of Janelson Figueroa Bocachica – followed by a loss.
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.
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