Riquelmy & Fernandez Draws, UBO World Title Remains Vacant

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AUGUST 18, 2024 / BY BY UBO PRESS OFFICER

The fight headlined a show promoted by Star Fight Productions at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon, and lived up to expectations as it provided back and forth action which was difficult to score for the judges.

Riquelmy, the current UBO Inter-Continental titlist, started the fight best and appeared in control over the first four rounds, but then the momentum shifted and Fernandez was the better man in the next four.

The last third of the bout was very even, and all rounds could arguable have gone either way. Both fighters gave as good as they got, and it was no surprise that the final scores were all over the place.

Judge Brian Gerry could not separate them as he scored the fight 114-114, while judge Michael Rose had it 115-113 for Fernandez and judge Shami Shipman scoring 118-110 for Riquelmy.

Both had a valid case for winning, so maybe the draw verdict was the fairest outcome. A rematch is certainly warranted to settle the score.

20-year-old Riquelmy, who could have become the youngest UBO world champion in history had he won, is now 8-1-1 (6).

North American Boxing Association champion, and home-town boxer, Fernandez (32) sees his record go to 18-5-4 (6).