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SportsTranscript
00:00 >> Cornerman, both sides, you're getting full waistband on both sides, all right?
00:05 Gentlemen, you got my instructions in the back.
00:08 Protect yourselves at all times, listen to my commands.
00:10 Touch them up, back to your corner, gentlemen.
00:12 >> Thomas Taylor, very experienced referee, championship fights.
00:18 And so these two have to feel like they're in a big fight when Anthony,
00:22 when Thomas Taylor is in the ring with them.
00:25 >> Oh yeah, absolutely.
00:26 You know, he's been in a lot of fights, reps a lot of fights.
00:29 >> Oh, yeah.
00:30 >> Well, ding, ding, and here we go.
00:33 >> Off the bat, we have a southpaw versus orthodox.
00:37 >> What can we expect out of these guys before, and before anything,
00:43 let me tell you something about Moreda.
00:46 He also fights in BKFC, so bare knuckle fighting.
00:50 His last fight there was September of last year.
00:56 But he only has one victory as far as a boxer is concerned.
01:02 He's got a record of 0 and 3 in BKFC.
01:06 >> Oh, well, BKFC, that means he loves to fight, right?
01:10 He's not scared.
01:10 He's facing an undefeated fighter right now.
01:12 He's taking, he's stepping up to the challenge.
01:15 You know, I talked to him backstage and no, very little words.
01:20 He was quiet.
01:20 He was focused.
01:21 He didn't have much to share.
01:23 All he said was a shout out to no name bar.
01:26 That's what he said, and a big shout out to his son, Asher, who's watching at home.
01:29 >> Saldivar trying to establish his jab.
01:34 Good left cross right there by Saldivar, who is 6'2".
01:41 He says that he used to be 5'5", all through high school.
01:45 Used to play football.
01:47 He didn't like it because he wasn't big enough, you know.
01:50 Obviously, he was getting pushed around and then right after high school is
01:54 when he had his growth spurt.
01:55 >> Yep, and I was talking to him back there.
02:00 He said he was doing, he was a motocross athlete.
02:02 >> Yeah.
02:03 >> He started at four years old and he stopped around when he, when he entered high school.
02:07 And it was an individual sport.
02:09 He said he learned a lot from it and he's taking it.
02:11 He's using what he learned from, oh, nice left straight.
02:16 Also, good right hook there by Saldivar.
02:21 And it seems like Moreira is trying to, you know, put pressure on Saldivar,
02:27 but he's not throwing too many punches.
02:29 >> Yeah, he's closing the distance, but like you said, he's not throwing as much
02:32 and Saldivar is able to use his distance and use his footwork to counter.
02:38 >> Good one-two.
02:40 Couple good left hands there by Saldivar.
02:44 Rocking Moreira here in the first round.
02:47 Yeah, Saldivar, you know, being a motocross athlete,
02:52 he was sponsored by a couple big companies.
02:54 And so I asked him, you know, why didn't you want to keep on doing it?
02:57 He said, you know what, I've had enough.
03:00 I wanted to try something new.
03:03 And so that's why he started boxing when he was 15 years old.
03:07 >> And now a young professional looking very well.
03:11 You know, he's using his reach.
03:13 He's landing that straight left multiple times.
03:15 I think he's setting up that big shot, letting Manny step in and close the distance for him.
03:20 >> Last ten seconds of the first round.
03:24 Good left hand there by Saldivar, who I think has been the one that's been able
03:31 to get most of the good shots off here in the first three minutes of action.
03:35 >> Oh yeah, he was controlling the distance.
03:37 Manny was closing the distance for him.
03:41 You know, he was closing the distance for him, but like you said,
03:43 he wasn't throwing too many punches.
03:45 Closing the distance but not throwing too many punches, and that can be dangerous
03:48 when you're facing a fighter like Anthony, who takes a small step back
03:51 and throws that straight one, too.
03:53 >> In the corner of Saldivar, Henry Ramirez, a very seasoned trainer,
04:03 trained the nightmare, Chris Areola, for a very long time.
04:12 Out there in the Inland Empire, Riverside, California.
04:15 [ Music ]
04:32 And there's the bell for round number two.
04:37 AJ, Anthony "AJ" Saldivar, that's what they call him, AJ, in the navy blue and white trunks,
04:44 and Manuel "Manny" Moreira, "Manny Anarchy" they call him, in the red and white.
04:52 And once again.
04:55 >> Nice left hook to the body by Anthony.
05:00 He's starting to switch it up.
05:01 You know, the first round he was throwing a lot to the head,
05:04 and now he found a home for the body.
05:07 And I think that shot must have hurt Moreira,
05:11 because he started backing up a little bit.
05:12 >> Yeah, first time in the fight that he's starting to take steps backwards, Moreira.
05:17 Even though, you know, he's been throwing some punches, but not with a lot of power, either.
05:25 And there's a good combination by Saldivar, and steps out.
05:30 Once he wanted to find him, Moreira couldn't.
05:36 He was a little bit short there on the one-two.
05:38 >> Yeah, I like that combination that Saldivar is throwing.
05:42 He throws a combination, ooh, loading up with that right hook to the body.
05:46 >> Yeah, good right hook to the body.
05:48 He's-- Saldivar's got two knockouts in his pro debut and his last fight.
05:56 And the other two fights in the middle have been unanimous decisions.
06:04 Again, another good left hand by Saldivar.
06:07 He's found a home there.
06:09 >> Yeah, Saldivar just controlling distance.
06:12 He's not overly aggressive.
06:14 He's just picking the shots right.
06:16 And then Moreira's still-- I like that he keeps his hands up really tight
06:21 and is able to defend most of the shots.
06:22 But he's got to be careful, because when he's ready to throw, he drops his hand.
06:27 And that's when he can get caught.
06:31 >> Moreira's face started to get red on the right side of the face.
06:35 All those left hands by Saldivar.
06:37 Landing.
06:39 Good lateral movement by AJ Saldivar.
06:46 >> Nice left uppercut.
06:49 He notices that Moreira is keeping his hands up high,
06:53 but he's bringing his body and his head low.
06:55 Leaning forward.
06:58 >> And it seems like Moreira is trying, but I don't know if he just is having a little bit
07:09 too much respect for Saldivar or whether he's gun shy once he wants to throw those punches,
07:14 because like he cocks his punches and then all of a sudden, you know, they don't get there.
07:19 >> You know what I think it is?
07:20 I think it's the small footwork that Saldivar is doing.
07:23 As soon as Moreira tries to close the distance, Anthony takes a small step back.
07:28 And when you do that, you create distance.
07:29 It makes it harder for your opponent to land punches.
07:31 >> And there is two rounds in the book.
07:34 This four-round fight in the super welterweight division.
07:41 The judges for the fight, let's remind you, are Fernando Villarreal, Pam Hayashida, and Jerry Cantu.
07:55 >> Yeah, I think that round, Anthony found a home for that left to the body.
07:59 You know, he was able to tell when Manny was closing the distance.
08:04 Take a look at that replay there.
08:06 >> Yeah, that right hook seems to be landing just about any time he throws it.
08:12 A lot of combinations for Saldivar as opposed to Moreira who maybe throws one, two jabs
08:20 and then is a little bit shy about throwing the right hand.
08:24 >> Yeah.
08:25 Yeah, he's not following through.
08:26 And again, I think it's because it's that footwork that Anthony is doing.
08:30 He's taking away that-- taking away those punches from Manny.
08:33 >> And here we go, round three.
08:35 Saldivar said, "I know that I'm supposed to take this guy out and I'm going to try to do it."
08:44 And thus far, you know, he's been landing some good combinations.
08:49 But Moreira hasn't-- it hasn't seemed like he's really felt the power from Saldivar.
08:57 >> Yeah. Yeah, he's not backing down.
08:59 You know, he's moving but he's not-- he doesn't look afraid.
09:02 He's still throwing.
09:03 >> Oh.
09:05 >> Beautiful combination.
09:07 >> Oh, and there we go.
09:09 Down goes Moreira.
09:12 I believe it was the right hook.
09:14 >> Yeah.
09:14 >> That caught him flat.
09:16 >> Yeah, it was a check.
09:17 >> Right on the chin.
09:19 >> Check right hook as Moreira was closing the distance.
09:22 And he threw a check right hook and dropped him.
09:25 >> There's another one.
09:26 >> Oh, he's going in for the finish now.
09:29 >> Aggressive yet patient, Saldivar.
09:35 He's got Moreira against the ropes there on the corner.
09:37 He's able to fight his way out.
09:45 >> Good combination once again makes Moreira take a step back.
09:49 Still a lot of time here in round number three.
09:53 Even though it does say round two of four, this is round three.
10:02 Moreira's gone down once in this round.
10:11 The first two rounds, I would venture to say that Saldivar took them as well.
10:16 >> Yeah.
10:16 >> So, we have to see something different from Moreira if he does want to come
10:22 out here with a second pro victory.
10:25 >> Yeah, he's having a lot of trouble figuring out Anthony right now.
10:30 And you can tell the punches don't have the same snap as Anthony's does.
10:34 That knockdown early on definitely affected him.
10:38 He still looks a little wobbly.
10:40 He's throwing though.
10:41 You got to give him credit.
10:42 He's not giving up.
10:43 He's coming forward.
10:44 He's throwing-- he's still throwing punches.
10:46 >> It looks like Anthony Saldivar is a little bit more comfortable now
10:52 and more confidence because the hands are down by, you know, by the waist.
10:58 It like-- not only is he confident, but I think he knows
11:03 that Moreira really can't hurt him.
11:05 >> Yeah. Yeah, that's definitely a sign that fighters do when they drop their hands.
11:08 It's definitely a sign of confidence or it could be a sign of deceive.
11:13 They try to deceive their fighters, you know.
11:15 A lot of times, fighters replicate their opponent.
11:18 So, maybe it could be a strategy that Anthony is doing to drop his hands
11:21 and maybe it will make his opponent drop his hands.
11:23 >> Not good for a young fighter though to drop their hands early on in their career.
11:28 They should keep that guard up.
11:31 Another good left hand there by Saldivar just as the bell sounds to end the third round.
11:39 So, Moreira doesn't seem to be a bit happy that he-- that he went down in that round.
11:49 He doesn't hit that hard, I think is what he said.
11:51 >> Maybe he fall off balance.
11:54 Maybe that's what he thinks, but what we saw, it looks like a knockdown.
11:57 >> And here we go again.
11:58 This is the replay.
12:07 >> Oh, here's a knockdown right check hook.
12:09 >> There it is.
12:09 I thought it hit him right in the chin, but it looks like it got him in the temple.
12:13 >> Yeah, it looks like it got him in the temple and I think that's what--
12:15 that's what caused him to lose his equilibrium and take that fall.
12:20 >> Sometimes, it's not how hard you throw the punch, but where you land it.
12:27 >> Exactly.
12:28 >> Thomas Taylor making sure both guys have their mouthpiece in.
12:37 This is the last round.
12:38 Fight scheduled for four in the super welterweight division.
12:43 And here we go.
12:46 And now, Saldivar does come out with his hands--
12:50 >> Hands up high.
12:50 >> Up high.
12:51 I'm sure his corner saw that and told him, "Hey, listen kid.
12:54 You know what?
12:55 Henry Ramirez knows.
12:56 I know you think that you've got this in the bag thus far,
13:00 but let's make sure we protect ourselves at all times."
13:02 >> Exactly.
13:03 And like you said earlier, it may not be the most powerful shots that drop somebody.
13:08 You know, it can be the timing.
13:09 It can be the placement of the punch.
13:11 And look, in professional boxing, it doesn't matter your opponent.
13:15 You should always show respect to all fighters because you never know what punch can do.
13:21 You know, you could be winning a fight and in the last round,
13:24 things don't go your way, you drop your hands.
13:27 So, it's good to practice good technique and show respect for the sport,
13:32 and show respect for their fighters.
13:34 But I think Anthony feels confident.
13:36 You know, he's letting his hands go now.
13:38 Now, he's picking up his hands a little bit.
13:39 >> There again, the one-two.
13:43 It's been very effective for Saldivar throughout the fight.
13:47 In control, landing the right-- the left hand, that straight left.
13:53 >> And he's pulling that jab.
13:56 He's pulling that jab.
13:57 He's trying to get-- trying to get Manny to bite, right?
14:00 Open up, because he knows when Moreira throws--
14:03 throws punches, he leaves himself open.
14:05 >> Halfway through the round here on FightStars.network.
14:13 Coming to you live from Long Beach, California.
14:17 You ever have the chance, come out here and check it out.
14:23 Absolutely gorgeous city.
14:27 And good display there by Saldivar.
14:30 Moving. Quick hands.
14:33 Says his favorite boxer is Purnell Whitaker.
14:36 From the past, currently, Saul Canelo Alvarez.
14:42 So, he's got two big names that he wants to try to emulate.
14:46 There you go.
14:48 Good. I don't know if that was a hook or-- there we go.
14:52 >> Yeah, it was a lungi right hook.
14:53 The same hook that dropped Moreira early on.
14:57 You got to give credit to Moreira.
14:58 Like, he's still coming forward.
14:59 He just got caught with the right hook right now.
15:00 Wobbled a little bit.
15:01 >> You got to know that he's a tough guy.
15:03 If he fights PKFC, you know he's a tough guy.
15:06 >> Oh, yeah.
15:06 Doesn't back down.
15:07 >> Not-- not at all.
15:08 Again.
15:10 >> He's smiling in there.
15:11 >> Two left hands there by Saldivar.
15:13 >> Yeah, he's smiling in there.
15:16 He may not be winning the fight, but it seems like he's enjoying himself.
15:20 You know, he likes to fight.
15:21 I mean, if you fight in bare knuckle fighting, you got to like fighting, you know?
15:25 >> Absolutely.
15:26 >> And it looks like Saldivar will walk away tonight with his fifth pro victory.
15:34 And he lands a left hand just as the final bell sounds.
15:39 Good performance by Saldivar tonight.
15:43 >> Yep, absolutely.
15:44 >> George.
15:44 >> Yeah, he was-- he was composed, you know, for being a very young fighter, you know,
15:49 five professional fights, knocking down his opponent in the third round.
15:53 He showed a lot of composure.
15:56 You know, he wasn't going in-- yeah, he went in for the kill, maybe a good 30 seconds,
15:59 but then after he's like, "Hey, it's not going the way I want to,
16:02 so let me pace myself a little bit."
16:04 And he made those-- those great adjustments.
16:06 >> The good thing-- something that I like about him is he throws a lot of combinations.
16:11 >> Yep.
16:11 >> Sometimes young fighters, you know, especially early on, you know,
16:16 they're eager to get a knockout.
16:18 They're eager to show how much power they have.
16:20 And one thing I liked about Saldivar is that he throws a lot of combinations.
16:26 He wants to make sure that, you know, he shows his quickness as well.
16:30 That's something that, you know, as well, he's going to have to keep on working in the gym,
16:36 because I think he doesn't sit down on his punches too much.
16:39 >> Yeah.
16:40 >> I don't know what you think.
16:40 >> No, no, no, I agree.
16:41 He definitely likes to-- he has really great footwork.
16:45 And I think because he has great footwork, he's thinking about a lot of movement, right?
16:50 He thinks about a lot of movement, which maybe takes away from his ability to sit down on his punches.
16:55 But that comes with experience, you know.
16:57 That comes with experience.
16:59 The more he fights, the more he'll realize--
17:00 the more he goes back and watches his fights, he learns from them.
17:04 But I'm very impressed.
17:06 Very great performance tonight.
17:08 >> Let's go to Lee.
17:11 Jimmy Lee, Jr.
17:12 >> Ladies and gentlemen, after four rounds of action, the judges are in agreement.
17:15 All three judges scored about 40 to 35.
17:19 All three in favor of the winner by unanimous decision and still undefeated.
17:25 Anthony A.J. Saldivar.
17:30 >> And there you go.
17:34 Unanimous decision, 40 to 35 if you count that 10-8 round.
17:41 So he improves to 5-0.
17:46 And hopefully we'll see him again soon.
17:49 This is a guy who opened up.