Melvin Lopez vs. Emmanuel Rodriguez: Live updates, round-by-round scoring, results

Live results: Emmanuel Rodriguez defeats Melvin Lopez by unanimous decision (120-105, 120-105, 120-105)

The vacant IBF bantamweight championship will have a new owner Saturday night when former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (21-2, 13 KOs) takes on top contender Melvin Lopez (29-1, 19 KOs). The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds and takes place Saturday, August 12 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Showtime will have all of the action starting at 9 p.m. ET.

Rodriguez has previously held the IBF bantamweight title. He won the belt on May 5, 2018, with a unanimous decision win over Paul Butler in London. He lost the title on his second defense when he was knocked out in the second round by Naoya Inoue. Rodriguez also lost an opportunity to win the WBC interim bantamweight title when he lost a close split decision to Reymart Gaballo on Dec 19, 2020. Since then Rodriguez has had wins over Roberto Sanchez Cantu and Gary Antonio Russell.

Lopez, 25, has fought mostly second-tier opponents for much of his career and Rodriguez will be a major step up in class. The Nicaraguan-born fighter won the NABF bantamweight title on May 24, 2019, with a knockout win over David Reyes Cota, but lost to Jose Velasquez on October 25, 2019, in an attempt to win the WBO International bantamweight title. Since then Lopez has been on an eight-fight win streak.

Rodriguez comes into the bout as the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook. He is a -700 favorite while Lopez is a +450 underdog.

Melvin Lopez vs. Emmanuel Rodriguez round-by-round results

Round 1: Rodriguez 10-9

After a patient start from both sides, Rodriguez introduces Lopez to a one-two combination that sticks. He follows it up with a second right that lands on the grill of Lopez. Lopez tries a jab and a shot to the body but misses. Another nice array of punches for Rodriguez to finish the round.

Round 2: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 20-18)

Rodriguez starts off the round with a nice right hand that keeps Lopez in his tracks. It’s clear that Lopez is struggling early with rapid combinations from Rodriguez as he finds himself against the ropes. Lopez fires back a punch to the body, but the onslaught continuing. Rodriguez is dictating this one

Round 3: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 30-27)

All Rodriguez through round three, this time he lands an uppercut that stings Lopez. He has no answers and needs to get on his bike before this turns uglier. Strong right hand up-top for Rodriguez, he seems to be one step ahead.

Round 4: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 40-36)

Lopez looks for some offense and lands his best combination of the night. Rodriguez responds with a nice return punch to the body. Little bit more of a slower pace from both in this round, but Rodriguez does enough to get another round.

Round 5: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 50-45)

Rodriguez on full attack as Lopez finds himself on the ropes early in this round. Once again the right hand for Rodriguez landing very clean. Lopez looking to get any momentum but his punches not connecting from range. Rodriguez with a nice counter right hand. He’s in cruise control until a late clash of heads stops action momentarily.

Round 6: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 60-54)

Action continuing to pick up as Lopez fires a nice jab to the button of Rodriguez. Lopez still looking for momentum and only advantage is the right eye of Rodriguez is swollen due to the clash of heads last round. Rodriguez scores a nice right again and squeaks out this round.

Round 7: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 70-63)

Despite a swollen eye, Rodriguez continues to fire and connect on plenty as Lopez is looking for answers. Another right hand scores for him and Lopez finds himself cornered. Big time combinations from Rodriguez lead him to another successful round.

Round 8: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 80-72)

Update is that Rodriguez eye is hurt from punches not clash of heads, but interesting as Lopez hasn’t really hurt him all fight. Big time right from Rodriguez and Lopez looks like he’s taking a beating. He now has developed some war wounds.

Round 9: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 90-81)

Lopez needs to fight with more desperation as his corner implies he’s behind and has to throw some more. Three punch combination for Rodriguez, as the more composed fighter also lands a solid uppercut to the body. Lopez slowing down and the tide continues in Rodriguez favor.

Round 10: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 100-90)

Lopez sleep walking and somehow lands on the canvas. Not ruled a knockdown, but he takes a very long break before getting back on his feet. Crowd not a fan of that and they let him know. Rodriguez still in control, dominating and once again is one step ahead. Two powerful jabs land for Rodriguez.

Round 11: Rodriguez 10-9 (Rodriguez 110-99)

Lopez backed up against the ropes and holding on as Rodriguez continues to walk him down. This time he sneaks in a jab followed by a right hand that stuns Lopez. The accumulation of punches are taking a toll. Rodriguez now head hunting as we enter the last round.

Round 12: Rodriguez 10-6 (Rodriguez 120-105)

Rodriguez pressuring Lopez on the ropes and he’s looking to end things. Right hand stuns Lopez and he’s hurt. Looking to get saved by the bell as the two are tied up. Rodriguez continues to walk him down, double left hook to the body and Lopez is on one knee! He’s down. Ref counts to 9 as we enter the last few seconds of the round. Left-right stings him and Lopez is HURT taking a knee on the canvas AGAIN. Two knockdowns within 20 seconds! No stoppage and welp Lopez has taken a third knockdown this time a sweeping left hand from Rodriguez does it to him. He sits in the corner on one knee as the bell dings, amazing no towel from the corner at this point, Rodriguez clearly will win on the cards.