Alexis Alvarado defeats Emiliano Cardenas via majority decision (57-57, 58-56, 58-56)

Alexis Alvarado had to wait for his Zuffa Boxing debut, but when it arrived, he delivered the goods to claim an impressive victory.

In a bout that was originally booked for Zuffa Boxing 05 last month, Alvarado defeated the previously-undefeated Emiliano Cardenas over six rounds as he used his ring smarts, and a well-executed gameplan, to punch and pressure his way to a majority decision victory.

Cardenas immediately started to work behind his jab as he established his rhythm early, while Alvarado looked to walk down the undefeated prospect, throwing fewer shots, but noticeably loading up more. Clearly, Cardenas wanted to fight on the outside, while Alvarez wanted to take it into the trenches. And it didn’t take long to see which man would dictate the direction of the contest.

Rounds 2 and 3 saw Alvarado turn up the pressure as he closed the distance and dragged Cardenas into more of a phone-booth fight. The 24-year-old stayed in Cardenas’ face, ripping shots to the head and body while forcing him back.