Brazil's Vitor Freitas-Jones Wins Debut

by Gautham Nagesh

Brazilian junior lightweight Vitor Freitas-Jones won his professional debut by pummeling Rocco Espinoza for a first-round stoppage on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on July 20 in Laughlin, Nev.

Vitor is the nephew of former Brazilian lightweight champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas, so the 19-year-old clearly has good bloodlines. Whether that will translate to the is level remains in doubt. He showed some early nerves before eventually trapping Rocco against the ropes and releasing a barrage of wide punches, several of which connected on Espinoza’s unprotected chin. Rocco collapsed even as referee Tony Weeks was rushing in to stop the fight.

The official end came at 2:11 of the first round. The loss was Espinoza’s sixth in nine fights, and 4th by first-round knockout. Being a professional opponent is one thing, but Espinoza is little more than punching bag that matchmakers rent for a round at a time. He has no business in the ring at this level. Freitas-Jones may have a bright future, but it will be a while before we know for sure, particularly given the soft competition in South America.