Most boxers that compete on ESPN’s Friday Nights Fights have either been to the dance or are on the cusp (potentially,) of making it to the big time. It can be argued that Beltran and Ndlovu have had their shot to become world champions. Both fighters have lost in championship fights against a common opponent, the Junior Featherweight champion, Steve Molitor.

Now, the combatants are fighting at the 126 pound limit, and took on each other as if it was the final straw to pull in their respective quests to be recognized. Nevertheless, the well skilled boxer-punchers put on a good show on Friday night in Nashville, Tennessee.

Beltran was popping his right jab out early as he tried to slow down his slippery opponent while, Ndlovu was using the entire ring to find his comfort. At the end of round one, Beltran backed Ndlovu into the corner and connected with the most telling blow of the round, a solid right uppercut to the body.

The more active Beltran was boxing well and stuck his jab into his opponent’s face throughout the night.

Meanwhile, Ndlovu seemed unfazed by the assault.  In the third round, Ndlovu took the offensive. The South African native reversed the roles and became the aggressor. Much of the action took place in the center of the ring and Ndlovu was beginning to find his target with both the right to the head and the left to the body.

The action picked up again at the end of round six. Ndlovu connected with three straight right crosses to the temple backing Beltran to the ropes.

The 30 year old Ndlovu was showing more stamina in the sixth and seventh rounds.

In round seven, the fighters traded punches in the center of the ring. Takalni Ndlovu hit Beltran with a clean right hook at the sound of the bell.

Ndlovu was applying pressure. But Beltran’s experience kept him in the bout. The Mexican countered with left uppercut almost every time Ndlovu came forward and missed the straight right hand.

Beltran’s jab was his greatest weapon and he stole the rather uneventful eighth and ninth rounds by throwing more punches.

Meanwhile, Ndlovu was unfazed. The South African turned into the counterpuncher in round ten and threw a nice right hook to the body that sent his Mexican opponent backwards.

The bout was practically even on the scorecards, going into the championship rounds. The fighters traded blow for blow but it looked like Ndlovu had the slight edge. “The Panther” was timing his right hand very well.

The most important moment of the fight came with about ten seconds to go in round ten. The referee deducted a point from the Beltran after the Mexican threw two straight punches below the belt.  

With the fear of falling behind on the scorecards, Beltran showed a tremendous sense urgency in the final two rounds. The Mexican clearly won the 11th round by applying heavy pressure on the back pedaling Ndlovu. Beltran was swinging for the knockout and Ndlovu began to show the first signs of being weary.  

In round twelve, Beltran was pressing the action and took the fight to his opponent. The Mexican was looking for the knockout and he did enough damage over the final few rounds to be awarded a close split decision victory. The final scorecards read: 

114-113 Ndlovu, 115-112 Beltran, 115-112 Beltran

Fernando Beltran wins via a split decision victory.

The Undercard:

Jason Lehoullier vs. Harry Joe Yorgey

The ESPN 2 fight card started with an entertaining scrap between Harry Joe Yorgey and Jason Lehoullier. The undefeated fighters traded blows in a close contest, for the entirety of twelve rounds. However, Yorgey controlled the middle rounds and outworked his opponent to win a majority decision.