It was never going to be the most hyped fight in the WBSS but the fight between Emmanuel Rodriguez 19 (12 KOs)-0-0 and Jason Maloney 17 (14 KOs)-1 (0 KO)-0 definitely won’t be the least entertaining in what was a very lively affair in the quarter finals of the World Boxing Super Series.
With the winner of the bout going on to face Naoya Inoue, the fight did go the distance, with Rodriguez controlling the first half of the fight and Maloney coming on strong late. Rodriguez did really do enough to get the decision, and a split decision was perhaps a little favourable for Maloney but nobody could doubt the Australians work rate and tenacity. Though being caught repeatedly with counter right hands from the Puerto Rican Maloney was never discouraged and Inoue will be looking at this fight seeing chinks in Rodriguez’s armor.
Rodriguez had flashes of class throughout the fight and seemed measured in footwork and was always primed to throw but his gas tank was on show on Saturday and not for the right reasons. If Rodriguez wasn’t going on to face Inoue in the semis perhaps this wouldn’t be have been much of an issue but going up against the best body puncher in the division a questionable gas tank isn’t something you want to be thinking about, and I expect Inoue to be coming into the fight as a heavy favorite.
On the undercard Yuniel Dorticos 23 (21 KOs)-1 (1 KO)-0 won an uncharacteristic unanimous points decision against Mateusz Masternak 41 (28 KOs)-5 (1 KO)-0 in his first fight back after losing in last year’s WBSS against Murat Gassiev.
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