Mexican Mercado Defeats “Take Money” To Retain WBC Title
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Mexican Yamileth Mercado defeated Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire to retain the world boxing super bantamweight title via unanimous decision, Saturday.
25-year-old Mercado won the cards in favor of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 which reflected dominance in the ring, far greater than that demonstrated by the Mexican over a strong opponent.
Chiwandire came out to propose. With lower back movements and a successful use of the left jab, she seized the initiative, but the Mexican struck back in the initial assault, which went without harm to her rivals.
Not holding back, “Take Money” insisted in the second round on seizing the initiative with an elusive style, with great hand speed at a distance.
Mercado made adjustments and landed good counterattacks in the third against an uncomfortable opponent who didn’t stop attacking.
In the fourth, she worked better at short distances, taking advantage of the exchanges, despite the fact that the Zimbabwean made good throws.
The fight went halfway with no clear advantage for either fighter; Chiwandire, with the same speed and Mercado with room for improvement.
In the first minute of the sixth round, the champion, inaccurately in places, landed good hooks to the stomach, pinning the African to the ropes, but the challenger slipped and came out unscathed.
With four rounds to go, the fight was even. The seventh was a good exchange, no difference in favor of either fighter, until Mercado closed better in the last 15 seconds.
The eighth round was the best for the Mexican. The flexible Chieandire showed the same foot speed from the first rounds, however “Yamie” punished her 1-2 to the face, after which she better closed to take the round, for the first time clearly.
The persistent African insisted on fighting from a distance, where he could be best seen. Yamileth took note of this and in the ninth round she again responded well, strengthening her advantage.
The fierce exchange ended in the tenth round, in which Chiwandire offered the fight in the first minute, and Mercado closed better.
In her fifth defense, Mercado has 21 wins, five by knockout with three loses, and Chiwandire suffered a third defeat with six wins, four in a fast track and one draw. *Aristegui Noticias*