Tampa, FL (September 19, 2022) – NABA middleweight champion Connor “The Kid” Coyle and super middleweight boogeyman Yamaguchi “The Problem” Falcao of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions both scored eight round unanimous decision victories Saturday, September 17 at Alessi Fitness Center in Tampa, FL.
Fighting in front of a large and vocal group of supporters, Coyle met 68 fight veteran Silverio Ortiz of Mexico.
Ranked 9th in the world by the WBA, Coyle peppered Ortiz with a consistent jab and straight hands. The shorter Ortiz attempted to close the gap and bully Coyle but was mostly unsuccessful. When the fight was fought in close range, Coyle landed clean shots and blocked most of what was coming back his way.
Quickly tiring and visibly frustrated, Ortiz threw hard hooks to Coyle’s head but didn’t land anything of note. In the final round, Coyle finished strong and hurt Ortiz with a left hook, but the game veteran finished the fight on his feet.
Scores were 80-72 and 79-73 twice for Coyle, a Northern Ireland native who trains out of Pinellas Park, FL.
With the victory, Coyle improves to 17-0 (7 KO’s). Ortiz, who’s faced countless top-rated opponents, slips to 37-32 with 18 KO’s.
“Ortiz was a very rough and tough veteran, but Connor dominated him from bell to bell,” said Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions. “It was good to see Connor stay busy as we are anticipating a significant fight in the very near future.”
Coyle’s next bout will be announced shortly.
2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi “The Problem” Falcao picked up an entertaining eight round victory over ultra-rugged Argentine Abel Nicolas Adriel.
Falcao, a native of Brazil who resides in Florida, got off to a fast start and buzzed Adriel in the opening round. The skilled southpaw controlled the four rounds, displaying excellent speed and pure boxing skills while also mixing in a bit of showmanship.
Adriel picked up the pace in the second half of the fight and had his moments, but Falcao’s consistent work earned him a unanimous decision.
Falcao’s record improves to 22-1-1 with 9 knockouts. Adriel, who displayed a great chin and incredible will, slips to 26-25-3 with 5 KO’s.
“This was the perfect tune up fight for Yama,” said Caliguire. “He’s working on a lot of things with (head trainer) Jim McLaughlin and Adriel made him work. The last 5 years, Yama’s been calling for the best at 160 and now at 168 so its only up from here.”
Falcao returns to the ring October 29 and details will be announced shortly.
For more information on Fire Fist Boxing Promotions, visit Firefistboxing.net
