Julian Rodriguez W10 James Perella ... Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez (26-1 with 15 KOs) pitched a virtual shutout as he claimed a unanimous decision victory over undefeated opposition to continue his rise up the welterweight division. In his second Zuffa Boxing appearance, Rodriguez defeated James Perella after ten largely one-sided rounds as he overcame significant height and reach disadvantages to outclass his opponent. Official scores were 100-89 and 98-91 (twice). As the taller, rangier athlete, Perella established his reach advantage early as he worked smartly behind his jab. It took a round for Rodriguez to fully download the information he needed, and by the end of the second round, it looked like Rodriguez had worked out his tricky, taller opponent.

 

The first three rounds saw Rodriguez gradually close the distance on Perella, who looked to work from the outside. By the fourth, Rodriguez had effectively closed that gap, and “Hammer Hands” started to let his punches go. And, mid-way through the round, he detonated a huge right-left combination that sent Perella down to the canvas for the first time in his career. Perella beat the count, and survived the round, but Rodriguez had made the crucial breakthrough, and while he seemed a little wary of fully opening up in search of a knockout finish, the New Jersey native went on to comfortably win the remaining rounds to earn a wide unanimous decision victory.