‘The Axeman’ impressive in regional title win

Showing some of the speed, tenacity and punching power that made him the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super World Featherweight champion in 2014,

Nicholas ‘The Axeman’ Walters scored a unanimous points win over Joseph ‘Blessed Hands’ Adorno on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida, to become the WBA Continental America lightweight champion.

Judge Joe Ware scored it a close 95-94, but the scorecards of the other judges, Bradden Jackson 97-92 and Rodolfo Aguilar 98-91, gave a more accurate picture of what had transpired. Adorno had a point deducted by referee Michael DeJesus for hitting Walters after the bell at the end of round nine.

It was Walters’ first fight in 2024, and his third since he came off a more than six-year break. An elated Walters told The Gleaner that he was happy with his performance, and is sure that he can make it to the top of his new weight class. He is now fighting as a lightweight at 135 pounds, and with the regional WBA Continental America title in his hands, he can now set his sights on the world title in that weight class. With this victory, he should break into the top 10 in the division in the next monthly rankings.

Walters, who is now 38 years old, and has a 29-1-1 record, had a formidable opponent in the ring with him. Adorno, who is 24 and from the USA, went into the ring with an impressive 18-3-2 record but he was no match for the former world champion.

Both boxers tried to set the pace with accurate jabs in round one with Walters landing more, and showing that he was in a no-nonsense mood. The pattern continued in the second round, but Walters added some sharp combinations to his repertoire.

Adorno kept himself in the picture in the third stanza with his jabs, while Walters concentrated on his opponent’s body. The fourth round was full of action as both men stepped up the pace. There were some furious exchanges at close range and there was a clash of heads that caused some anxiety, but fortunately there was no blood.

There were some spirited exchanges in round five with Walters switching his attacks from the head to Adorno’s body, and the excitement carried on into round six, which was a good one for Adorno. He caught Walters with some excellent combinations and drew blood from his nose with a couple of solid hooks to the head.

This put Walters in a defensive posture briefly, but he decided to fight fire with fire, and the tempo increased.

Both men kept in an aggressive mood for the remainder of the fight, to the delight of the large crowd. Adorno, however, lost his cool and hit Walters after the bell in round nine and referee DeJesus deducted a point from him for this infringement. Walters was all business in the final stanza, and smiled broadly at the final bell, an indication that he was satisfied with his night’s work.