(JUNE 28) Melissa McMorrow enjoyed quite
the coming out party Wednesday night at the Playboy Mansion as she
faced Mayela Perez in the evening’s first bout, a four round junior
flyweight affair.
McMorrow, like a number of fighters
in their pro debut, jumped out of her corner and aggressively
pursued Perez. Unlike a lot of pro debut fighters, McMorrow added
the elements of accuracy and speed. She forced Perez to back up for
much of the opening round and throw counterpunches when she could
sneak one in.
Perez lands left
In the second round Perez pressed the
fight, closing the distance between the two women. At close range
Perez was good, she forced McMorrow to back up, thus keeping her a
bit off balance. McMorrow adjusted by throwing punches inside,
looking for an uppercut that could catch Perez on the chin.
The third round easily belonged to McMorrow. Near the midpoint she
backed Perez in to a corner and landed a number of solid shots to
the body. Perez was resilient, weathered the punishment and finished
the round in the center of the ring to avoid being pinned again.
McMorrow was most impressive in the final round. She continued to
move well and threw combinations; she pursued Perez, and in so doing
controlled the ring; and when Perez did land a punch, McMorrow fired
back.
After four rounds, Raul Caiz Sr and Gwen Adair scored the fight
39-37, Lou Fillipo saw it 40-36, all in favor of Melissa McMorrow.