WNF Recap: Juan Urango And The Big Bango

 
Juan Urango whipped a short right hook.

Carlos Wilfredo Vilches went splat.

With the fourth round flattening of well traveled Vilches, former IBF junior welterweight titlist Urango positioned himself for another belting opportunity, perhaps against Paulie Malignaggi this summer.

Urango’s highlight reel knockout on the Wednesday night edition of ESPN Boxing from the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hotel in Hollywood, Florida should position him for bigger and better things inside the strands.

“This was for Columbia and my family,” said a pumped up Urango. “I’m ready to fight Ricky Hatton again or any other champion who’s willing to fight me.”

After winning the vacant IBF strap from Naoufel Ben Rabah in June of 2006, Urango dropped a close decision to Hatton in January of ’07. He’s looked hungry ever since.

Against Vilches, Urango showed defensive flaws and a limited assault, but he’s hard rock strong enough to blast his way past stylistic limitations.

Vilches stayed on his toes and tried to keep Urango off balance with jabs, but Urango was not to be duke-out denied. Urango plodded in awkwardly behind single slugs, but he looked so much stronger during exchanges the end was apparent.

A right dropped Vilches into the ropes unhurt as round one wound down.

Vilches managed to score with some decent shots in the second, but he was still forced to retreat. Urango continued to swing wild and dangerous from all angles.

Action was more tentative from both side in the third. Vilches may have been lulled in to a vulnerable pace. 

Urango came out quickly for round four. A short, sudden right imploded Vilches into the twilight zone canvas. There was no need to count. Vilches looked like a laminated plank. He was kept down for medical scrutiny and hopefully there’s no permanent damage from the kind of punch that can cause it.

The official time was 1:45 of the fourth frame.

In the featured undercard bout, heralded prospect “Mean” Joe Greene had a tougher than it should have been time against ready and willing Joshua Okine in a battle of southpaws. Greene looked strong, but I’m not as sold on him as the ESPN crew seemed to be.

Greene overwhelmed late substitute Okine in the ninth of ten schedules sessions, but if Okine had even moderate punching power it might have been a different story.

“Every time I get a chance to shine I’m going to,” said the solidly conditioned Greene to the camera. “I am where I need to be.”

Maybe almost, but not quite all the way yet.

David Estrada (22-4), who has fought and lost to Ishe Smith, Shane Mosley, Kermit Cintron and Andre Berto, blasted out Alex Pacheco with a right in the second round. The end came at 2:45, via KO.