Barrera and Sanchez exchange shots inside.   (AP)

By: Eric Smith

September 8, 2001 

Reno, NV (BoxingGurus.com) - Saturday night at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, NV, Marco Antonio Barrera (54-3-0-1, 39 KO) showed why he should be considered one of the top ten pound for pound fighters in the world today. In this special featherweight attraction, Barrera took on Enrique Sanchez (28-2-2, 21 KO). Sanchez, who was the former WBA Junior Featherweight champ, defeated Barrerea in his last fight as an amateur. 

Barrera started out the fight with digging left hooks to Sanchez's body. Sanchez was active early on, but Barrera was making him pay with sharp counter punching that was on target. Barrera seemed very comfortable in the ring and hurt Sanchez at the end of the second round with a flurry of hooks and uppercuts. As the third round began, Barrera looked to capitalize on the early body work and the stunning of Sanchez at the end of the second round.  He sent Sanchez down with a perfect straight right, but Sanchez wass game and got up. Marco went on to put Sanchez down again in the fourth with a classic 1-2 jab straight right combo. As the fight continued, Barrera bloodies Sanchez under the left eye and nose. It was clear who's night this is. Barrera out-boxed and out-brawled Sanchez. His counter punching was awesome. Sanchez's corner had seen enough, and at the end of 6th they stopped the fight. Sanchez would need stitches at the end of the night, and Barrera pleased the 4,500-plus crowd.  All three judges and BoxingGurus.com had the fight scored 60-52.

Sanchez is knocked to the deck.   (AP)

TELEVISED UNDERCARD:

IBF Cruiserweight Champion, Vassilliy Jirov (30-0, 27 KO) dominated Julian "Mr. KO" Letterlough (17-2-1, 16 KO) throughout this title defense. Jirov controlled the fight with his jab. In the 3rd round, Letterlough did land a booming left hook which stunned Jirov.  That was one of the few bright spots for Letterlough all night though.  Jirov used good movement which confused Letterlough, and also a solid body attack all night long. In the 7th round, Letterlough was hurt by a straight left and uppercut at the end of the round. Jirov landed a monster right that was followed up with a nice flurry and referee Jay Nady stopped the fight at 1:24 into the 8th round. BoxingGurus.com was in agreement with all three judges scoring the bout was a complete shutout for Jirov. After the fight, Jirov expressed interest in fighting James Toney or Virgil Hill.

UNTELEVISED UNDERCARD:

In the fight of the night, WBO Flyweight Champion Fernando Montiel (23-0-1, 17 KO) brawled with Jose Carito Lopez (24-7-1, 23 KO) for the entire fight. Montiel has a great jab which he used to set the tone of the fight. Lopez was more effective when working from the inside. Both fighters went toe to toe often and were not afraid to get into exchanges throughout the fight. In the 4th round, Lopez had a point deducted for low-blows. In the 9th round, Lopez landed a body shot that put Montiel down, which Montiel thought it was low, but it was ruled a knockdown. Both fighters would trade rounds back and forth in the later rounds. Montiel was more effective with his jab and counter punching, winning a unanimous decision. The judges' cards were 116-110, 116-111 and 118-110. BoxingGurus.com's score was 116-111.

In heavyweight action, Kelvin Davis (16-0-1, 12 KO) took on David Vedder (21-19-1, 10 KO) in a six round fight that was highlighted by 2 knockdowns from Davis in the 1st and 3rd rounds with hooks. The bout was ruled a draw and most at ringside thought it was a bad decision.

Bantamweight Jose Navarro (6-0-1, 1 KO) took his undefeated record into the ring against Heriberto Valazquez (3-7-2, 1 KO). Navarro wins easily and puts Velazquez down in the 3rd with a right hook. Judges scores were 40-35 40-36 39-36. BoxingGurus.com had it scored 39-36.

Hard hitting Junior Welterweight Kelso Pinto (5-0, 5 KO) destroyed local fighter Dwayne Pope who was making his pro debut. Pinto landed at will in this mismatch and ended the fight with a straight right. The referee halted the bout at 2:14 of the 1st round.

Junior Featherweight Eliecier Julio (44-3, 29 KO) fought a tough battle against Juan Carlos Covarrubias (16-6, 10 KO). The fight was close with both fighting in the center of the ring. Covarrubias was cut from a Julio punch, and at 1:51 in the 4th round, referee Jay Nady stopped the fight due to the bleeding. Winner by TKO Eliecier Julio.

In the opening bout of the night, Victor Santiago (15-1, 12 KO) scored a unanimous decision over Nelson Medina (24-18, 12 KO). Santiago was in total control beginning to end.