Alejandro Paulino continues to climb the ladder in direction of contender standing at light-weight.
Paulino remained unbeaten this previous Saturday evening, defeating former featherweight contender Toka Kahn by majority determination on the Mohegan Solar On line casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. One decide scored the bout 95-95, whereas the opposite two judges submitted scorecards of 96-94 and 97-93 for Paulino, who improved to 19-0, 14 knockouts.
In a conflict between fighters who reside within the New England space, an virtually sell-out crowd witnessed stable exchanges between the 2, however Paulino was the simpler fighter. Kahn did properly in spots, connecting with a couple of left arms to the pinnacle, however Paulino blended his assault to the pinnacle and physique behind a constant and efficient jab.
Roland Estrada, who trains and manages Paulino, was impressed in how Paulino caught to and carried out an efficient game-plan till the ultimate bell sounded.
“The sport-plan was all the time to start out robust,” Estrada advised The Ring Sunday night. “I knew what their game-plan was and it was to take (Alejandro) into the later rounds and get him drained. Alejandro was in nice form for this battle. Our plan was to power Toka to go backwards, since he’s simpler shifting ahead. We did that each one evening. We out-jabbed him and have been conscious of the left hand he throws, however in direction of the top, he was doing all of the veteran tips, like clenching on the within and speaking.
“I disagree with that 95-95 scorecard. I believed 98-92 was extra correct, might agree with that 97-93 scorecard. Toka gave Alejandro the expertise of going 10 rounds. I didn’t need Alejandro to go in there and take him out early after which individuals would say Toka shouldn’t have been in there.”
Paulino, who resides in close by New London, beforehand fought on September 7, knocking out Luis Porozo within the opening spherical. On March 23, Paulino overcame a flash knockdown within the opening spherical to knock Estivan Falcao down in spherical eight en path to a unanimous determination victory.
The 26-year-old, who’s initially from the Dominican Republic, fought 15 occasions this yr for the Boston Butchers of the Staff Fight League (TCL), which resulted in late July. Paulino would go on to solely lose one battle for the Butchers.
Paulino took up boxing on the age of 18 and gained 4 fights this yr. So far as what’s subsequent, Estrada will sit down with promoter Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. and description a plan for 2025.
“We’re not prepared for these large fights but,” stated Estrada. “We aren’t prepared for (Gervonta) ‘Tank’ Davis. However I’m positive individuals are actually maintaining a tally of Alejandro, particularly from the TCL. If there’s one factor he’s carried out higher this yr is that he’s improved his protection lots. His arms are up and he has method higher head motion. It’s a big enchancment since he began.
“I’m going to sit down down with Jimmy. I’m listening to he might need battle playing cards lined up in February. If it’s February and March, I would favor March due to the rigorous coaching camps we now have. But when there are playing cards lined up for February and April, I’d need to have Alejandro battle in February. April is just too far out.”
Kahn, 32, initially from Monrovia, Liberia and now resides in Windfall, Rhode Island, fell to 29-4, 19 KOs. Kahn has not fought since a Nov. 2022 unanimous determination win over former title challenger Jonathan Oquendo. In December 2020, Kahn misplaced a one-sided determination to Shakur Stevenson.
The 32-year-old was as soon as a staple on a number of High Rank playing cards earlier than dropping by knockout to Jhon Gemino in September 2016. He gained his subsequent six bouts earlier than dropping by determination to Galahad, a former featherweight titleholder.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]
