Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez IV Undercard: Filipino Dennis Laurente loses by Split Decision in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada – Dennis Laurente suffered a close Split Decision defeat in the hands of American Kenny Abril.

Laurente, 35, started strong in his scheduled eight round welterweight bout with the younger Abril who is seven years his junior.

Laurente of Palompon Leyte, combined head and body shots on his foe, causing a swelling in Abril’s right eye in as early as the 2nd round.

Laurente continued his work on Abril’s head and torso on the 3rd but the American answered with combinations of his own. A series of punches sent Laurente down but he recovered and finished the round.

Abril, 28, of Rochester, NY, then turned the tide on Laurente in the succeeding rounds, bloodying his Filipino foe in the mouth by Round Number seven.

The two fighters poured it all at the eight and final round and went hard against each other until the final bell.

Judge Bob Bennett had it 75-76 and Judge Tim Cheatham had it at 77-74 for Abril while Judge Al Lefkowitz had it for Laurente at a score of 77-74.

The win was Abril’s fourteenth while Laurente dropped the fifth loss of his career.

via Dennis Laurente loses by Split Decision in Las Vegas.