Bermudez Floors Torres Twice But Fight Ends In a Draw
By Felipe Leon
In an all-out battle from the Domo del Sindicato del IMSS in Coyoacan, a suburb of Mexico City, Evelyn “Princesita” Bermudez (12-0-1, 3KO) of Argentina retained her IBF light flyweight title with a draw over ten rounds against local favorite Silvia “Guerrerita” Torres (20-1-2, 7KO).
The main event was presented by Zanfer Promotions and televised live in Mexico by the Azteca channel.
After the 10 quick-paced rounds cards read 96-93 for Bermudez, 95-94 and an even 95-95.
It is the second time this summer a female Argentinean fighter traveled north to Mexico and got a draw in a fight many saw as the winner. At the end of May, Marcela “Tigresa” Acuña dominated Jackie Nava of Tijuana over 10 non-title rounds but was only able to walk away with a draw as well.
Bermudez captured the title in her eleventh fight as a professional with a split decision over Guadalupe Bautista back in December in 2018. In December of 2017 Torres captured the vacant WBA 108-pound title with a unanimous decision over Brenda Flores. She lost it in her first defense against Jessica Nery Platas.
Torres is coming off a fifth round TKO over Venezuela’s Norleidys Graterol in January while Bermudez defended her title for the first time with the same result over Luisana Bolivar two weeks after.
Bermudez is the younger sister of current WBO bantamweight Daniela “Bonita” Bermudez and rookie Roxana while Torres’ older sister is the legendary Ana Maria Guerrera” Torres.
The fight
After the traditional first round of study, Bermudez stepped up on the gas pedal and dropped Torres in the second with a precise straight right after they exchanged a flurry of punches. The Argentinean was able to do it again in the fourth as Torres insisted to fight on the inside against her taller opponent. Bermudez went for the finish seconds later trapping Torres against the ropes but the Mexican was able to survive the attack by tying up the world champion.
It was clear Bermudez, knowing she was in her opponent’s hometown, was looking to finish the fight before the limit and not leave the decision to the judged.
Down on the cards, Torres adjusted and stayed away from the right hand for the rest of the fight knowing she was the faster of the two.
The second half of the fight was one of strategic constant action with Torres’ experience giving her the upper hand while Bermudez slowed down her attack. Torres took advantage of the slower pace of the fight and was able to box and take over some of the rounds by counterpunching Bermudez’s still constant attack.
A point was deducted from Bermudez in the eighth for rabbit punching which turned out to be paramount in the final result of the fight. She was warned a number of times through out the fight for the penalty but the punch that finally prompted the referee, with some complaining from Torres, to finally to take off a point did not look intentional.
An aggressive Bermudez came out in the last two rounds looking to finish off her opponent but Torres was able to score good precise counter punches including a hard uppercut.
Torres, along with her sister Ana Maria, were seeking to become the first set of Mexican sisters to capture full-fledged world titles but that dream will have to wait.
(Photo by TyC Sports)
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