Title Fights From Around the World: Erick Rosa and Bibiano-Perez War

Today, boxing world title fights take place around the globe and are more accessible to watch than ever before. Sometimes, championship bouts do not receive as much attention and go underreported. Big Fight Weekend commits to writing about boxing news, previews and recaps. As such, the site now has a recurring segment on championship bouts – from around the world from the past week.

The focus of these pieces will be on clashes ranging from atomweight to heavyweight that had the WBA, WBC, IBF, and/or WBO titles on the line. This week’s edition of “Title Fights From Around the World” consists of two recaps. In the Dominican Republic, a new light flyweight champion was crowned. Over in Japan, two super flyweights could not be separated after 12 rounds.

Title Fights From Around the World

Erick Rosa vs. Neider Valdez

Erick Rosa (8-0, 2 KOs) is the latest to become a light flyweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Neider Valdez (14-2-2, 11 KOs).

Scores were 117-111 (x2) and 116-112. With the win, Rosa is now the WBA light flyweight champion. Kenshiro Terajiwas the previous titleholder but vacated to move up in weight. As a result, Rosa-Valdez had the vacant WBA title on the line. The fight headlined a December 19 Shuan Boxing Promotion card at the Pabellón de Karate, Centro Olímpico, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Boxing fans in Latin America could catch the action live on ESPN KnockOut.

Valdez’s combinations proved to be an issue for his opponent. Despite this, Rosa was able to control proceedings for the most part with his superior speed and technique. In the end, the judges sitting ringside felt he had done enough to win and awarded him the unanimous decision.

Rene Bibiano vs. Willibaldo Perez

Rene Bibiano (23-0-1, 9 KOs) and Willibaldo Perez (22-5-2, 13 KOs, 1 NC) fought to a draw in their quest to become a super flyweight champion.

While one judge had the bout 118-110 for Perez, another had it 116-112 for Bibiano. A third judge scored the contest 114-114, resulting in a split draw. Bibiano and Perez were fighting for the vacant IBF super flyweight title. The belt was previously held by Fernando Martínez, who relinquished it to pursue a rematch with Kazuto Ioka. Bibiano-Perez took place on a Kameda Promotions card at Twin Messe in Shizuoka, Japan. Boxing fans could catch the action live on the ABEMA YouTube channel.

Perez got off to a fast start, swinging at his opponent. Bibiano was prepared, however, and swung back in turn. While Perez controlled proceedings for the most part in the first half of the fight, “El Indio” had a much stronger second half. For the entirety of the bout, both men went to war. It was close after 12 rounds, but in the end, the judges couldn’t decide on a winner declaring the fight a split draw.