At the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions over ShoBox it was a near packed house despite the freezing weather the fans turned out to see their local hero Sammy “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez! The two-time Iraq veteran and two-time US Army and Armed Forces and two-time PA GG state champion didn’t disappoint.

USBA Welterweight champion southpaw Sammy “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez, 18-0 (13), from Monessen, PA, scored a lopsided 10 round decision over southpaw and No. 13 ranked USBA contender Emmanuel Lartei “Ice Cold” Lartey, 16-3-1 (7), of Ghana. Vasquez’s 8 fight knockout streak came to an end but between rounds 8 and 9 it looked like the corner of Lartey had a beaten up warrior. Trainer Lenny DeJesus kept encouraging Lartey to give him one more round and that he did.

Both boxers were southpaws and it became evident early that the hand speed of Vasquez was going to give Lartey fits. Through the first 4 rounds Vasquez easily had his way with 3 and 5 punch combinations. He threw all danger aside with his hands to his side stalking Lartey through the seventh round. Lartey’s nose was bleeding and his face was puffy and red for the continuous assault of Vaszuez. After the eighth round Lartey’s head hung down while on the stool and it looked like he wanted to quit.

At the end of the ninth round referee Gary Rosato asked Lartey if he wanted to continue and he nodded yes. Somehow Lartey came out in the tenth and had his best round surprising Vasquez with some solid lead lefts that one even seemed to stun Vasquez. It was a close round but two of the judges gave it to Lartey. Vasquez had out jabbed him 3-1 and did about the same with power punches.

Vasquez is trained by Ryan Rimsek and Bob Healy. He won the USBA title back in August and the WBC FECARBOX title in November.

All 3 judges had Vasquez in front with Dana DePaolo scoring it a 100-90 shutout while judges George Kachulis and Phil Rogers had it 99-91. DHB had it 99-89 giving the eighth and ninth rounds scores of 10-8 in favor of Vasquez with Lartey edging him out in the tenth. Lartey has never been knocked down in his 20 fight career.

WBC No. 3 Light heavyweight contender Cuban Umberto Savigne, out of Miami, FL, 12-2 (9), was upset by Craig “El Gato Negro” Baker, 16-0 (12), of Baytown, TX, at 1:58 of the second round after scoring a knockdown. Upon rising Savigne staggered to the ropes and fell into them causing referee Ernie Sharif to wave it off.

Philadelphia super lightweight 18 year-old Milton “El Santo” Santiago defeated Puerto Rico’s Jose Valderrama, 4-9 (3), over 6 rounds by scores of 60-53, 60-52 and 59-54.

Please send all questions and comments to Ken Hissner at: Kenhissner@gmail.com