Yenifel Vicente had a golden opportunity against Jessie Magdaleno on Thursday night in Las Vegas.
The 33-year-old Dominican was at center stage, fighting in the main event on the second post-coronavirus lockdown card in the U.S. on national television. A victory over a big-name opponent like Magdaleno under those circumstances could’ve made him a player at 126 pounds.
What did he do with the opportunity? He punched it in huevos.
Vicente appeared to be thrown off his game the moment he went down in the first round, which signaled to the typically aggressive puncher that he could be hurt by a better fighter if he wasn’t careful.
And it opened the door to what appears to be his willingness to bend the rules, especially when things aren’t going well. A recent example: He lost two points for low blows in his one-sided loss to Tramaine Williams last July in Arlington, Texas.
That might be why he lost control in Round 4 Thursday, first punching Magdaleno below the belt and then delivering a shot to the head as referee Robert Byrd tried to jump between them that sent Magdaleno crashing to the canvas.
As if that wasn’t enough, he went south of the border again later in the same round, did it again in Round 10 and then went there one last time before the final bell, prompting Byrd to DQ him.
The final tally was four point deductions, three for low blows and one for the late punch. That would be a hell of a night’s work if it were a street fight. It wasn’t.
I’m making no judgment whatsoever about Vicente’s character in general. He certainly isn’t the first boxer to play rough. We saw what we saw, though, a boxer who lost his ability to fight fairly – putting Magdaleno in undue danger – in spite of numerous warnings from Byrd.
“I’m sore as hell,” Magdaleno told ESPN on Friday. “I’m telling you, I feel like the lower half of my body has been through a marathon, and it was 10 rounds, and it just felt like a marathon run I’ve been through. And just the whole marathon I’m being hit in my nuts.
“That’s what it felt like.”
Vicente might pay a price beyond the disqualification.
Bob Bennett, the executive director, didn’t return a call from Boxing Junkie immediately but he told ESPN he might recommend punishment, which could be meted out only after a hearing.
“There were several shots below the belt,” Bennett said. “Subsequent, referee Byrd took points and as the executive director I am considering moving forward with a recommendation of a suspension or a letter of reprimand to Vicente.”
Magdaleno would support some sort of disciplinary action.
“I think he should be penalized,” Magdaleno said. “I think he should be penalized for what he did. It was just a foul move that he did. He just couldn’t catch my rhythm. He couldn’t catch my speed or my power so, to me, I think he should be penalized for that. It was uncalled for.”
He went on: “They should suspend him for a while. It’s just, I don’t wish nothing bad upon him but something should happen. They should do something to either suspend him for the rest of the year or take something from his pay.
“It sucks to be in that position. I wouldn’t want any fighter to go through that. It does suck, and it does bring a lot of wear and tear on you.”
I wonder also wonder about his long term future in the sport.
If I were a promoter or television executive, I would think twice before featuring Vicente again. He doesn’t have a big enough name to be missed, as harsh as that sounds. Bottom line: We might’ve seen the last of him on TV.
That’s what he did with his golden opportunity.
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