Erislandy Lara – Vanes Martirosyan Fight Review & Scoring

By Richard “Doc” Pratt

Three and a half years and 6 fights after their first bout, Lara climbs into the ring with Vanes Martirosyan for a second time around. Lara coming of an utterly expected TKO 3 win against a middle of the road fighter, Jan Zaveck and Martirosyan coming of a 2-1 record in his last three fights with 10 round decisions against Ishe Smith and Willie Nelson and losing to Jermell Charlo by UD.

This bout was not the most exciting but had some solid action with rounds, on my card, tipping either way for most of the fight. I had it 19-19 after 2, 38-38 after 4, 57-57 after 6 and 95-95 after 10.

Neither pugilist ever really taking control for more than a minute or two per round. Vanes was consistent with hard lefts to the body of Lara and Erislandy consistent with his jab yet having trouble letting any counter punches go when Martirosyan came forward with combinations. Which were mostly to the body and mostly blocked by Lara the whole fight. Lara’s style being, one could say, picky, with when and what punches to throw, landed a huge majority of his power punches, 99 of 166 and landing 63 of 258 jabs. Martirosyan at 78-333 PP and a messily 16 of 141 jabs. Vanes tended to chase down Lara and when he found him, was quick and snappy with his combinations but lacked accuracy and any real power to hurt him. Lara took what looked to be vicious shots to the right side and mid section all fight long but never once so much as flinched from shots that would surly inflict significant hurt on most opponents.

Having the fight tied at 95-95 after the tenth it looked like it could seriously end up a draw, but in the 11th, the ref, Vic Drakulich (my favorite), finally took a point away for a low blow that, to many, looked lower on the belt than the previous few times Vic measured out warnings for the same, but looked a bit directed by Lara’s hands.

Martirosyan wasn’t able to make up sufficient ground after the deduction to win the round giving Lara a 2-point swing making it 105-103. With Vanes now needing a knockdown or a foul from Lara to TIE the fight. It didn’t look good for him.
Martirosyan came out in the 12th utterly desperate to get that KD but alas, was unable to do so but did manage to win the round on shear aggression as Lara was happy to avoid the tsunami of punches coming his way. Final count on my card 114-113 giving Lara the victory.

The judges’ cards: Weisfeld had it 115-112. Jarman and Byrd 116-111 concurring with my card for the winner BUT, I was unable to wrap my head around Jarman and Byrd’s cards. I really couldn’t see it being a 5 point win. That wasn’t the fight that I witnessed. Still sort of shaking my head on that!

All in all, an enjoyable fight to top off a night of some great champion bouts with both Charlo brothers winning their respective matches in fights that were also entertaining but not in any way spectacular.

Until next time. Keep your gloves up and your elbows in!

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