Saucedo KO's Garcia In 2/Conceicao Ko's Hollis

By Marc Livitz: New York City’s big fight weekend commenced on Friday evening with a Top Rank Promotions sponsored card at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, where Alex ’El Cholo" Saucedo maintained his unbeaten record with a second round TKO victory over fellow super lightweight Johnny Garcia.

Twenty two year old Saucedo (24-0, 15 KO’s), of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma by way of Meoqui, Chihuahua, MX caught Garcia (19-5-1, 11 KO’s) a minute into round one with looping uppercuts which sent his Hollis, Michigan opponent into the ropes and nearly to the canvas. Thirty seconds later, the bout’s initial knockdown came when Alex tagged Johnny with a quick shot over the top, which grazed his head but was followed by hard left hooks. Referee Steve Smoger allowed Garcia to continue after a brief inspection.

Saucedo’s superior preparation was beyond clear. His jab was on point to begin the second despite Garcia’s efforts to tie him up a or clinch at times. Johnny’s pawing jab did him no good as Alex began to gain more and more confidence when he followed his left jab with right hooks. A quick right hook began what would be the end of the contest in the last thirty seconds of round two. Saucedo moved in and landed a flush left uppercut which sent Garcia’s eyes looking at the ceiling. Smoger quickly jumped in and halted the bout at the 2:42 mark to award the TKO win to Alex "El Cholo" Saucedo.

Co-Main Event Report - Conceicao KO’s Hollis in Second Round

In the evening’s co-main event, Robson "Nino" Conceicao made quick work of Aaron Hollis in the second round of a featherweight attraction. The three time Olympian from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil essentially swarmed his late replacement opponent from the opening bell and the disparity in talent was quickly evident. The first knockdown came with twenty seconds to spare in the opening round when Conceicao forced Hollis into a corner and teed off with successive rights. His Cincinnati opponent beat the count and was subsequently saved by the bell. The second began with a flurry, at least it did for "Nino" Robson. Just thirty seconds into the period, he caught Aaron flush once again with a hard right, which sent him into the ropes. Multiple, unanswered shots combinations to the head prompted referee Shada Murdaugh to stop the contest at the thirty six second mark. With the TKO win, Robson Conceiaco improved to (3-0, 2 KO’s), while Aaron Hollis fell to (3-5, 2 KO’s).

Additional Results from New York City

Michael Conlan (pro debut) KO 3 Tim Ibarra - Super Bantamweight

Jose Gonzalez UD 6 Jhovany Collado - Featherweight

Teofimo Lopez KO 2 Daniel Bastien - Lightweight

Alexander Picot UD 4 Bengar Garcia - Super Lightweight

Larry Gleeson UD 4 Gabriel Solario - Welterweight