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ANGULO STEAMROLLS ROSADO Gabe Rosado had a tough night in his first nationally televised main event Friday evening on ESPN2. He faced a determined Alfredo Angulo who was coming off his first-ever professional loss. The bout was held at Buffalo Bill's Star Arena in Primm, Nevada, before a big live crowd of about 3,000 and who knows how many on TV. Rosado started well by using his jab, a little movement, and some well-timed right hands to send the message that he had come to pull off a big upset against the #6 ranked jr. middleweight in the world. He brushed off the 6.5 to 1 odds against him, as well as the concerns that he had been matched way over his for this one. Although their pro slates appeared to be in the same ball park, 12-3 for Rosado and 15-1 for Angulo, the California-based Mexican definitely had more seasoning in his young career. Further, Angulo's amateur credentials - including an appearance in the 2004 Olympics - outshined Rosado's 14-3 amateur run. Clearly this was a big step up for the Philadelphia fighter, but as usual, he seemed to have the confidence, attitude and game plan to pull off yet another surprise win. Rosado had previously shocked undefeated James Moore (also on ESPN2) and most recently outworked former champ Kassim Ouma to score his biggest and perhaps most surprising ring victory. So "King" Gabriel planned to do more of what he does best - enter dangerous territory (both geographically and promotionally), work hard, and be an over-achiever. But Angulo had a reputation as a wrecking machine (12 KOs in 15 wins), and had been just one win away from a title shot when he lost a WBC eliminator to Kermit Cintron in May. So with something to prove, and his career momentum on the line, Alfredo Angulo figured to be Gabe's worst nightmare.
Rosado continued his good work in the second. However with the round about halfway gone, he reached in to clinch a forward-moving Angulo. Just a moment before their arms had begun to tangle. But when Rosado grabbed for his opponent's shoulders up near his neck, it freed Angulo's hands. And then Angulo did what he does best, he kept punching and coming forward.
Angulo fired a crushing right hand to the chin that doubled Rosado over for knockdown number two (below left). Again, Rosado stood up quickly and looked plenty lucid. But as the action resumed, his eyes showed an awareness that he was in trouble.
It was a good win for Angulo who now goes on to an already scheduled date in November. For Rosado the experience was a bitter pill to swallow. It was hard for him to accept the result. He tried to explain to the ref, to the doctor, to his corner, even to Angulo, that the TKO was kicked off with an unfair punch. But the possible offense was in the gray area and certainly not flagrantly, if at all, foul. Rather, it was Rosado's error - a failure to defend himself - that undid his big opportunity.
Rosado is still a solid prospect, but he is also still a work in progress. He's in a tough spot right now. He needs good competition to gain necessary experience. But he can't get exactly what he needs in the parade of lesser opponents he'd be matched against locally. Gabe Rosado needs an advocate in the boxing world who can see his promise and help guide him along the rocky road a fighter must take. He's worth the effort and can still be a crowd-pleasing contender - maybe even more. (Note: The above photos are screen captures from the original ESPN2 broadcast.) |
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In
the first round, Rosado showed that he perhaps had the stuff
to win the bout. He took the session, by being a cautious
and thinking puncher, whipping his right hands with perfect
timing. More importantly Rosado showed confidence and sent
the message that he belonged in there. Angulo was in low
gear for the whole three minutes, but kept chugging forward
looking to find his groove. His opportunity came in the
second and he showed how he had earned his reputation. 
Angulo
landed a looping right that went right over Rosado's
suddenly groping limbs and crashed right on the side of his
jaw. Gabe tumbled over and hit the canvas. But he appeared
clear-headed, and while still seated on the floor, argued
with referee Russell Mora that he had been hit in a clinch.
Rosado had a point. But it was he that failed to protect
himself in the situation. He rose from the knockdown and
continued to fight. But he was clearly upset by his
perceived slight. Rosado fought with distraction while
Angulo bit down and waded in for the kill. 
Angulo
stepped in and landed a hard left hook that backed Rosado
into the corner. Another right followed that made Rosado sag
down like a baseball catcher against the corner pad (below
left). Referee Mora waved his hands and the fight was over
at 2:13 of round two. 
It
was a tough one. Tough for Gabe to experience, and tough for
his fans to watch. The hope that we brought into the fight,
momentarily bolstered by his encouraging headway in round
one, was dashed halfway through the second. It was tempting
to blame a possible foul for Gabe's downfall. But that
wasn't it. It came down to what we had feared all along -
this was not the right opponent for Rosado at this point in
his career. He wasn't quite ready yet. Those nagging issues
that exist with holes in his defense really bit him this
time. It is his one problem area in the ring, and needs to
be corrected before he can get to the next level. He and
trainer Billy Briscoe figure to be back at it at the
Allegheny Rec Center before long. They are a good team and
can make the adjustments that are needed. 
Right
now it is time for Gabe to first, be a new father; second,
to get this loss into per-spective; and third, to do what
other fighters in his position have done - shake off the
setback, ignore the doubt, and learn from this very tough
lesson.