By Miguel Maravilla
Sanchez & Rodriguez Draw in Rematch
Super featherweight Deonte “Lay Em Down” Brown (17-0, 11 KOs) of Morgan City, Louisiana, won a hard fought decision over Grimardi Machuca (17-3, 14 KOs) of Camden, New Jersey, as they squared off for the WBA Continental Americas title Friday night at the Commerce Casino in Commerce California in headlining Box Fest XVI on DAZN.
Firing the jab to begin the bout, Brown the southpaw kept Machuca away in the opening round. Things began to pick up in round two as Machuca applied the pressure, Brown mixed it up. In the third, Machuca attacked and pressed as Brown connected with a solid counter left stopping Machuca’s momentum. At the halfway point, Brown continued to tally up points peppering with the jab as Machuca kept applying the pressure with limited success.
Past the halfway point in the sixth, Brown kept boxing effectively as Machuca attempted to figure out Brown’s style. Machuca had a moment as he connected Brown with a straight right in the seventh with Brown keeping up the pace continuing to box effectively. In the eighth, Machuca chased much of the round as Brown was flashy on his feet boxing. Late in the fight in the ninth, Brown appeared to be sliding away with the fight as Machuca was limited and couldn’t seem to figure out Brown who worked his way to the decision.
In going the distance ten rounds, the judges scored the bout 97-93, 97-93, and 96-94 as Brown takes the unanimous decision.
Super bantamweights Saul “The Beast” Sanchez (21-4-1, 12 KOs) of Encino, California and Edwin Rodriguez (12-9-3, 5 KOs) of Puerto Rico fought to an eight round draw as they squared off in a rematch. Rodriguez won the first match by decision. This time around the competition was closer and competitive. It was a back and forth match as Sanchez and Rodriguez went the distance eight rounds.
After completing eight rounds 78-74 for Sanchez, 76-76, and 76-76.
