1. Pre-Fight Drama: Weight Miss and Minor Belt Controversy
Andres Cortes, a native of Las Vegas, entered the fight with a shadow hanging over him, having failed to make weight by almost a pound. This misstep rendered him ineligible to win the vacant minor belt, setting a peculiar tone for the bout. Abraham Nova, hailing from Albany, New York, was poised to capitalize on Cortes’ mishap.
2. The Opening Bell: A Cautious Start
The fight began uneventfully, with both fighters feeling each other out in the first round. Nova, with a notable 7-inch reach advantage, appeared hesitant to fully engage initially, a strategy that would later seem both wise and mystifying.
3. Round Two: Nova’s Reach vs. Cortes’ Inside Game
Nova emerged in the second round with a clear plan: attack Cortes’ body from a distance. However, in a puzzling move, he allowed Cortes to close the gap, resulting in a fierce inside exchange. Cortes, despite the early struggle, showcased his power with compact, punishing shots that pushed Nova into a high guard.
4. Strategic Adjustments: Nova Finds His Jab
After a stern lecture from his corner, Nova refocused in the third round, utilizing his jab to keep Cortes at bay. A clinch broken up by referee Robert Hoyle saw Nova deliver a sharp left hook-straight right combination, opening a cut over Cortes’ left eye from an accidental head-butt.
5. Cortes Accuses Nova of Dirty Fighting
Post-fight, Cortes claimed, “He was just very dirty in there. He called me the dirty one, but he was really dirty in there with all these head-butts and stuff. But it was a good fight.” This comment added to the contentious atmosphere surrounding the bout.
6. Mid-Round Madness: Trading Punches and Momentum
Despite his corner’s advice, Nova continued to engage in close quarters, allowing Cortes to land sinister uppercuts and overhand rights. The middle rounds saw both fighters trading significant blows, with Nova gradually using his range advantage more effectively, while Cortes seemed to lose steam.
7. The Eighth Round: Fitness and Fading
The eighth round was a turning point. The fighters exchanged heavy shots, and Nova’s superior fitness and activity became apparent. Cortes’ stamina visibly waned, leading to more controlled yet impactful strikes from Nova, who seemed to be taking control.
8. Penultimate Round: A Battle of Wills
In the ninth round, Cortes managed to land a powerful uppercut and overhand right, pushing Nova onto the ropes. However, Nova’s resilience shone through as he rallied with a barrage of punches, throwing 120 in the round according to CompuBox, showcasing his relentless work rate.
9. Final Round: A Tense Finish
The tenth and final round saw a more strategic Nova, who, despite showing signs of fatigue, landed clean shots as Cortes desperately pushed forward. Nova’s measured approach contrasted sharply with Cortes’ urgency, leaving fans and analysts on the edge of their seats.
10. Controversial Decision: Cortes Takes the Win
Despite what many saw as a superior performance from Nova, all three judges scored the fight in favor of Cortes, with scorecards reading 97-93 (twice) and 96-94. The decision sparked confusion and debate, as fans and commentators struggled to reconcile the judges’ verdict with the fight they witnessed.
“No excuses, no excuses,” Cortes said about his performance, acknowledging his need for improvement without blaming the weight issue for his late-round struggles.
Editor’s Note: A Puzzling Outcome
The decision in favor of Cortes has left many questioning the judging criteria and the overall fairness in boxing scoring. This bout, with its unexpected twists and turns, will undoubtedly be discussed for some time, raising questions about how victories are truly earned inside the ring.
