Fort Worth Native Edward "Kid" Vazquez took a major step forward in his goal to become the next world champ from Fort Worth. The 27-year-old scored a split decision victory over Misael Lopez Friday night in Topeka, Kansas, that aired live on Showtime. In a close and competitive 10-round affair. Vazquez got the momentum going late in the first round. When he scored with a right uppercut that buzzed Lopez. The momentum really started building on the "Kids" side in round two. Vazquez was able to cut off the ring and began having success with the left hook. One, in particular, scored above the ear of Lopez and put him on the canvas just past the midway mark of the stanza. The Fort Worthian had his man in trouble again in the fourth when a big right hand this time staggered him.
Vazquez was able to keep his man on the backfoot throughout the middle rounds while Lopez was trying to establish his jab and keep the Texan at bay. Vazquez was able to slip onto the inside and score with his hook and occasionally mixed in an uppercut in what was developing into a tight contest, The fight turned one more time late in the eighth, with the fight likely tightening on the cards, Vazquez he landed a left hand that backed Lopez into the ropes with about 30 seconds to go in it. It seemed to make steam out of Lopez, who spent the ninth round working off the jab and apparently fading. Vazquez stayed on the gas and closed out the ninth and 10th rounds and kept Lopez uncomfortable with the left hook. A big one landed for Vazquez less than a minute into the 10th and final round. Sealing the did for the North Texan given him a split decision victory by scores of 95-94 and 96-93, with the third judge favoring Lopez by a score of 95-94. Vazquez moves his record to 14-1 (3).
Vazquez is known for his incredible work ethic."Kid" said before the fight "I won't take any time off after this fight. I plan on running a half marathon when I get back to Texas on Saturday." It's that type of work ethic that has put Vazquez in the top 10 126-pounders in the world and has taken him from relative obscurity to knocking on the door of a world title shot in a relatively quick span.