Brazilian Esquiva Falco defeated Canada’s Patrice Volney by split decision this Sunday. In a fight that took place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, United States, the Olympic medalist suffered an unintentional head injury from his opponent in the sixth round and a deep cut in his face, prompting the fight to stop immediately.
The referee took the result to the line judges, who gave the Espirito Santo boxer a split victory. The scores indicated 58 to 56, 56 to 58 and 57 to 56. Esquiva Falco took seven points in the eyebrow and forehead area just after the fight in Las Vegas. Brazil wanted to go to the end of round 12 or win by knockout.
It was the 29th career win for the Olympic medalist, who now faces Kazakh champ Gennady Gennadievich Golovkin, Triple G and Japanese Ryota Murata for the world middleweight belt in 2022. The two had a face-off in December.
The Esquiva fight was a knockout for the IBF – International Boxing Federation belt and became the indispensable opponent of the Brazilian champion.
– That’s how we didn’t want to win, but I served my purpose. I am now the No 1 challenger and the future champion of the world. The year 2022 will be a Brazilian again with a world boxing belt – said Esquiva, 31.
– I wanted to do a show, but I fought very well in your round, the opponent was tall and very dangerous. I could have been happier, but I’ll admit I’m not because of the way the fight ended.
Happy to prepare for the performance and especially at Riverside for the fight, Sergio Battarelli, who has been looking after Esquiva Falco’s career for eight years, celebrated the result at Mandalay Bay.
Esquiva had a great fight in the first four rounds with a stab at the waist. He mastered the fight well. Unfortunately, the Canadian inadvertently gave the butt of the head and was in no position to fight, as the pain was severe and Esquiva was not seeing properly. The important thing is that we win and are going to have the world title next year – said the manager.
It was Canada’s first defeat in 17 matches. Esquiva now has 29 wins, 20 by knockout.
