Newark, N.J. — Francisco Veron leaned on precision and ring IQ to secure a hard-earned unanimous decision over Raul Garcia in Friday night’s junior middleweight co-main event at Prudential Center.
All three judges sided with the Argentine contender, awarding him scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93, as Veron improved to 17-1-1. Garcia, representing the Dominican Republic, fell to 15-3-1 after a determined but ultimately insufficient effort.
From the opening rounds, Veron’s sharp accuracy set the tone. He used a steady jab to control distance and create openings, frequently threading uppercuts and body shots through Garcia’s guard. While Garcia held the edge in raw strength, his upright stance made him vulnerable to Veron’s straight punches.
By the third round, Veron’s clean punching had already taken a toll, leaving Garcia bloodied. Still, Garcia refused to back down. His relentless forward pressure began to shift the dynamic in the middle rounds, as he found success digging hooks to the body and forcing Veron to give ground.
Sensing the momentum change, Veron adjusted his approach. He increased his movement and returned to a disciplined jab in the later rounds, allowing him to reestablish control and land counters as Garcia pressed forward.
Garcia had his most dangerous moment in the ninth, snapping Veron’s head back with a well-timed right hand. But Veron responded with composure, catching Garcia coming in with sharp counter shots that blunted the rally.
The final round saw both fighters exchange freely, closing a competitive contest that showcased contrasting styles—Veron’s precision against Garcia’s persistence. In the end, Veron’s cleaner, more consistent work carried the night.
The victory marks Veron’s third straight win since suffering his only professional defeat in 2024, while Garcia’s recent momentum was halted after back-to-back victories.
Bloody Clash Ends Early in Co-Feature Action
In a separate bout, a grueling contest between Joshafat Ortiz and William Foster III was cut short after three rounds due to severe cuts.
Both fighters engaged in intense, close-range exchanges from the start, repeatedly colliding heads as they traded punches in tight quarters. By the second round, each man had opened significant cuts over the left eye, creating a chaotic and blood-soaked scene that made it difficult to clearly assess the action.
Although Ortiz initially appeared worse off, his cut came under control. Foster’s injury, however, continued to worsen, ultimately forcing officials to stop the fight after the third round and rule it a no-contest.
The bout had been evenly matched up to that point, with both junior lightweights looking to rebound from recent setbacks.
