NABA middleweight champion Connor “The Kid” Coyle and super middleweight bogeyman Yamaguchi “The Problem” Falcao of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions earned eight-round unanimous decision victories on Saturday the 17th. September at the Alessi Fitness Center in Tampa, FL.
Fighting in front of a large and noisy group of supporters, Coyle met 68-fight veteran Silverio Ortiz of Mexico.
Ranked ninth in the world by the WBA, Coyle peppered Ortiz with a consistent jab and straight hands. The shorter Ortiz tried to close the gap and intimidate Coyle, but was unsuccessful. When the fight was fought at close range, Coyle landed clean shots and blocked most of what was coming his way.
Quickly tired and visibly frustrated, Ortiz threw hard hooks to Coyle’s head but landed nothing of note. In the final round, Coyle finished strong and hurt Ortiz with a left hook, but the veteran of the game finished the fight on his feet.
The scores were 80-72 and 79-73 twice for Coyle, a Northern Ireland native who trains in Pinellas Park, FL.
With the win, Coyle improves to 17-0 (7 KO’s). Ortiz, who has faced countless top-tier opponents, slides to 37-32 with 18 KOs.
“Ortiz was a very rough and tough veteran, but Connor dominated him from bell to bell,” said Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions. “It was good to see Connor keeping himself busy as we anticipate a major fight in the very near future.”
Coyle’s next fight will be announced shortly.
2012 Olympic bronze medalist Yamaguchi “The Problem” Falcao scored an entertaining eight-round victory over ultra-tough Argentine Abel Nicolas Adriel.
Falcao, a native of Brazil who resides in Florida, got off to a fast start and bested Adriel in the first round. The skilled southpaw controlled all four rounds, displaying excellent speed and pure boxing skills, while also mixing in some showmanship.
Adriel picked up the pace in the second half of the fight and had his moments, but constant work from Falcao earned him a unanimous decision.
Falcao’s record improves to 22-1-1 with 9 knockouts. Adriel, who showed off a big chin and incredible will, slides to 26-25-3 with 5 KOs.
“This was the perfect tune-up fight for Yama,” said Caliguire. “He’s working on a lot of things with (head coach) Jim McLaughlin and Adriel made him work. The last 5 years, Yama has been asking for the best at 160 and now at 168, so he has only gone up from here.”
Falcao returns to the ring on October 29 and details will be announced shortly.
