According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the WBO Middleweight title bout between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders has been postponed for a 2nd time due to a cut suffered by Saunders.

They were originally scheduled to fight Sept. 19 at Thomond Park in Lee’s hometown of Limerick, Ireland, but Lee came down with a virus and postponed the fight. It was rescheduled for Oct. 10 at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, but now will have to wait until Saunders’ cut is healed.

“First of all I’m sorry to Andy and all the fans that this fight has had to be postponed again,” Saunders said. “It’s completely unfortunate that I got a cut during a sparring session, but there’s nothing I can do now until the specialist advises me on when I can resume training and fight again.

“I’m committed to this world title fight. I’m the WBO mandatory challenger, and the WBO have confirmed that I’ll remain the mandatory challenger. It’s just a very frustrating situation at the moment as myself and Andy just want to get in the ring and fight after all the delays.”

“Hugely disappointed for myself and for the boxing public,” Lee said. “These things happen. Me and Billy Joe Saunders will get it on when the new date is set.”

Warren said the card still will go on with the two other world title bouts already on the show. Lightweight titleholder Terry Flanagan (28-0, 11 KOs), who is from Manchester, will move into the main event as he makes his first defense, a mandatory, against Las Vegas contender Diego Magdaleno (28-1, 12 KOs). Also, England’s Liam Smith (20-0-1, 10 KOs) will face Newark, New Jersey’s John Thompson (17-1, 6 KOs), a 2015 ESPN Boxcino tournament winner, for a vacant junior middleweight world title.

“It’s a real shame that Billy has been forced out of the fight because of a cut and we await the report from the specialists so that we can look to reschedule the fight as soon as possible for the fans,” Warren said. “Whilst Saunders versus Lee has fallen through, there are two thrilling world title fights on the show with Terry Flanagan facing a dangerous first defense against tough American Diego Magdaleno, and Liam Smith has a big test against American upsetter John Thompson.

“It’s a disappointment, but I’m very optimistic that the show is still one of the best of the year, if not the best, with a top class lineup.”

By Norm Frauenheim–

LOS ANGELES – Leo Santa Cruz is always smiling.

Now more than ever.

Santa Cruz overcame some doubters and Abner Mares Saturday night, winning over nearly everyone but a judge in a majority decision for the WBA version of the featherweight title.

But there was more than just an acronym-sanctioned belt at stake. It was about turf, friendship and rivalry. It was about Los Angeles. It was about a couple of fighters who had once sparred, had moved down different career paths and came back together in a long-awaited confrontation.

It was personal. It was dramatic. It was a crowd pleaser. In the end, it belonged to Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 KOs) who in the middle rounds began to capitalize on a three-inch advantage in reach with a jab that forced Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) to back pedal out of victory and into defeat.

“I stayed outside with the jab,’’ Santa Cruz said. “We were able to take control.

“My dad told me that we could beat him by boxing. We want to be aggressive but tonight we had to box him too and that’s how we got it done.’’

Mares started fast, perhaps because of nervous energy or a sense that he couldn’t let Santa Cruz develop a rhythm that would allow him to use his long jab. With his early aggression, Mares led on the scorecards after two rounds.

“It was a close fight, but I thought I won the fight,’’ Mares said. “I thought I pulled it off.

“My plan was to box him, but I started out really fast. I felt good but my corner told me to box more, so I did that. It was a good fight.’’

At times, it also was hard to score. One card reflected that. Respected Max Deluca scored it a draw, 114-114. Jesse Reyes and Steve Morrow had it 117-111, each for Santa Cruz. Deluca’s card opens the door for a rematch.

“If he wants the rematch I’ll give him the rematch,’’ Santa Cruz said. “I want to fight the best. I want the big fights.”

It’s no surprise that Mares is interested in a sequel.

“I’m more than willing to have a rematch,’’ he said. “It was a close fight. I knew he had never faced a fighter like me and he proved today he’s a great fighter.”

The bout, an epic LA showdown, began with sound. Then, fury. The crowd of 13,109 roared when Mares appeared on the PBC stage with a black bandana covering his lower face and a red bandanna on his left arm. He wore trunks that said “This Is My Town’’ and looked like a man determined to prove exactly that.

Then, it was Santa Cruz’ turn. He stepped off the same stage and walked toward the ring with a smile impossible to hide.

Through the first three to four rounds, Santa Cruz didn’t have much time to smile. Mares, bloodied at the top of his head in a butt during the third, repeatedly rushed him, trying to draw him into a withering inside battle, By the fifth, however Santa Cruz’ smile was more evident than ever, mostly because he knew his jab was beginning to work.

In the end, there was only that smile. His smile.

His town, too.

Best Of The Undercard
Mexican super-bantamweight Julio Cesar Ceja was down on the canvas. Down on the scorecards, too. But he celebrated in the end.

Ceja (29-1, 27 KOs) was on the brink of defeat when he unleashed a lethal left that leveled fellow Mexican Hugo Ruiz (35-3, 30 KOs) in the fifth round of a 122-pound bout for the WBC’s interim version of the title.

Somehow, Ruiz, who floored Ceja in the third, got up. But it didn’t take long to see that he was badly hurt. Referee ended Raul Caiz ended at 2:34 of the round.

The Rest

Lightweight Alejandro Luna (19-0, 14 KOs) stayed unbeaten and near the front of the line for a title shot by overwhelming Sergio Lopez (18-10, 12 KOs) in a bout stopped at 34 seconds of the fourth by Lou Moret.

Former junior-middleweight contender Alfredo Angulo (24-5, 20 KOs) put a buzz into the Staples crowd with a performance that has made him popular. He spilled blood, most of it belonging to Hector Munoz, an Albuquerque fighter who was finished after five rounds of a scheduled 10 at super-middleweight.. Angulo, 2-1 since a 2014 loss to Canelo Alvarez, battered Munoz (22-16-1, 14 KOs), 4-16 over his last 20 fights, from start to finish, from pillar to post.

Welterweight Jessie Roman (20-2, 10 KOs) knocked around fellow Californian Hector Serrano (17-5, 5 KOs) for six rounds, knocked him down in the seventh and was declared a unanimous decision winner after eight.

A foul-filled fight ended appropriately: In a disqualification. Middleweight Jonathan Batista (14-7, 7KOs) of the Dominican Republic threw low blows at Argentine Brian Castano (13-0, 9 KOs) until the referee wouldn’t let him throw another one. In the fifth, he threw his last one in fight that ened in a DQ at 5:15 of the round.

Buenos Aires middleweight Alan Castano (9-0, 6 KOs) overwhelmed Thomas Howard (8-5, 4 KOs) of Trenton, Mich., with power and punches, prompting a stoppage referee Pat Russell at 4:11 of the fourth round.

Los Angeles junior-welterweight Anthony Flores (9-0, 5 KOs) threw punches at what sometimes looked to be an uninterrupted rate, out-working and out-scoring Curtis Morton (3-5-3) of New York for majority decision.

Super-middleweight Paul Mendez (20-2-2, 10 KOs) of Delano, Calif., had an easy afternoon of work, forcing Mexican Andrik Saralegui (19-3, 15 KOs) to quit after two rounds.

Bantamweight Isaiah Najera (1-1) of Yakima, Wash., got roacked early, yet celebrated in the end with a four-round majority decision that spoiled Antonio Santa Cruz’ debut.

In an empty arena, Los Angeles junior-featherweight Jose Gomez (3-0) opened the show with a matinee bout, scoring a unanimous decision over Mexican Manuel Rubalcava, who might have trouble getting licensed the next time he applies. He’s 2-14.

Jorge Paez Jr. won a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Daniel Echevarria at El Domo in San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Paez scored a knockdown in round one from a left hand.

Paez, who was coming off losing to Jose Benavidez Jr. for the WBA Interim Super Lightweight title, won by scores of 95-94, 95-93 and 94-94 and is now 39-6-2. Echevarria is 18-1.

Yazmin Rivas retained the WBC Female Bantamweight crown with a 10-round unanimous decision over Kandy Sandoval.

Rivas, 118 lbs won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94 and is now 34-8. Sandoval, 116 3/4 lbs is now 9-7.

Following their draw on July 18, Darley Perez and Anthony Crolla will rematch on November 21 in Manchester, England for Perez’WBA Lightweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m so pleased for Anthony that he gets another bite of the cherry on Nov. 21 in his home city,” said Eddie Hearn, Crolla’s promoter. “I haven’t found anyone yet who didn’t feel that he won the first fight, but that’s in the past now and he has to make this count. I feel like he is destined to win a world title and on Nov. 21 on a huge night for Manchester and British boxing, I truly believe his dreams will come true.”

“I believe Darleys is the superior fighter,” Perez co-promoter Gary Shaw said. “This time, there will be no question who wins the fight and is still the WBA champion. I want to commend the WBA for ordering the rematch on this controversy of who won the fight. I also want to thank Eddie Hearn, who was a gentleman during this process. Thompson Boxing and Gary Shaw will leave England with the winner — Darleys Perez.”

Bryan dropped Rossy in round one when a right hand hurt Rossy. Bryan followed up with a hard combination that sent Rossy to the canvas.

DeCarlo Perez won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Juan Ubaldo Cabrrera in a Middleweight bout

In round one, Cabrerra was cut over the right eye from a punch. Cabrerra was docked a point in round seven for hitting behind the head.

Perez, 160 1/2 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ won by scores of 98-91 twice and 97-92 and is now 15-3-1. Cabrerra, 160 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 23-1.

Joey Dawejko scored a 1st round stoppage over Natu Visinia in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Dawejko hurt Visini with a over hand right that buckled Visinia. Dawejko jumped on his prey and unleashed a flurry on the ropes that caused a standing 8-count. Visinia was able to continue but only for a short time as a follow up flurry of punches and referee Russell Mora stopped the fight 75 seconds into the bout.

Dawejko, 236 3/4 lbs of Philadelphia is no 16-4-1 with 9 knockouts. Visinia, 273 lbs of Clinton, IL is 11-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Kenny Bayless will be the 3rd man in the ring when Floyd Mayweather takes on Andre Berto on September 12 in Las Vegas.

Andrzej Fonfara will take on Light Heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly on October 16 in Chicago and will be televised on Spike TV, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m excited to return to my hometown of Chicago on this big fight night against a world-class fighter like Nathan Cleverly,” said Fonfara, 27. “This will be a tough fight for both of us. Cleverly is a solid fighter, and it’s no fluke that he was a world champion and that he defended his belt so many times. Our fighting styles guarantee that everyone can expect fireworks on Oct. 16th.”

“I want this fight (against Cleverly) to be a quick stop on my way to a rematch with Adonis Stevenson,” Fonfara said.

“This is a major platform for me to prove that I am more than capable of becoming world champion again,” Cleverly said. “If I beat Fonfara, it’s a doorway fight to the world title and establishing myself as one of the best light heavyweights once again.

“Fonfara is a good fighter. He’s tall, has power and has moved up through the levels in his career. I am looking forward to coming over to Chicago, and I am very confident that our styles will blend well for a really exciting fight.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Roy Jones Jr. will not be taking on Danny Santiago in Sint Marteen as the card is postponed due to weather concerns with Hurricane Danny.

“They were worried about the hurricane, so the fight was postponed and they said it would be rescheduled at a later date,” Santiago’s manager HeidiJasper told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “The promoter, Archie Keaton Entertainment, and I were supposed to get together to figure out when to reschedule the fight, but now it looks like Hurricane Erika might hit the island so we haven’t been able to meet yet.

“But I have spoken to [Jones manager] McGee Wright, and he said Roy is as eager to fight Danny as much as Danny is to fight Roy, but we can’t control the weather.”

“This is a big deal for Danny,” Jasper said. “He feels like it’s the second postponement of the fight. So Danny is disappointed, but what can you do.”

Dimash Niyazov remained undefeated by scoring a 6-round unanimous decision over Ariel Duran in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

In round five, Niyazov dropped Duran with a perfect counter right.

Niyazov, 134.8 lbs of Brooklyn, won by scores of 58-55 twice and 59-54 and is now 8-0-3. Duran, 135.8 lbs of Queens, NY is 8-8-1.

Gary Beriguette scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Anton Williamson in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Beriguette, 149.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 39-36 on all cards and is now 7-0. Williamson, 148.8 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 1-5.

Irish Olympic silver medal winner John Joe Nevin stopped Victor Capaceta after round three of their scheduled 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Nevin dominated the action until Capaceta’s corner had enough.

Nevin, 135.6 lbs of Mullinger, Ireland is 4-0 with 3 knockouts. Capaceta, 135.2 lbs of Tijuna, Mexico is now 4-8/

Tresean Wiggins scored a 3rd round stoppage over Kevin Womack Jr. in a scheduled 4-round Welterweight bout.

Wiggins dominated the action and landed a vicious combination in the corner that sent Womack to a knee and the fight was stopped at 1:18 of round three.

Wiggins, 148.4 lbs of Newburgh, NY is 7-1 with 6 knockouts. Womack. 145.4 lbs of Baltimore i 7-8.

Bahtiyar Eyubov remained perfect as he stopped Cory Vom Baur in round two of the scheduled six-round Welterweight bout.

Eyubov dropped Baur in round one from a hard left hook. Eyubov continued the assault until the bout was stopped at 1:08 of round two.

Eyubov, 143 lbs of Brooklyn is 8-0 with 8 knockouts. Vom Baur, 142.8 lbs of Camas, WA is 2-4.

Giorgi Gelashvili stopped Deloren Gray-Jordon in round two of their scheduled four-round Welterweight bout.

The two traded heavy shots that thrilled the crowd in round one until Gelashvili landed a left hook that dropped Jordon. In round two, Glashvili landed about twenty unanswered blows until the bout was stopped at 1:18 of round two.

Gelashvili, 142.8 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 2-0 with 2 knockouts. Jordon, 142.6 lbs of Cleveland is 0-2.

Junior Wright scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Harvey Jolly in a Cruiserweight bout.

Wright controlled the action and scored a knockdown in round six from a right hand.

Wright, 198.8 lbs of Evanston. IL won by scores of 59-54 on all cards and is now 14-1-1. Jolly, 185.2 lbs of Nashville, TN is 14-23.

New York City firefighter, Jose De La Rosa won a 4-round unanimous decision over Kamal Muhammad in a Welterweight bout.

De La Rosa won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 3-0. Muhammad is 0-5.

Emilo Salas scored a 2nd round stoppage over Glenn Thomas in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Salas dropped Thomas with a left hand and the fight was stopped at 42 seconds of round two.

Salas, 201 lbs of San Sebastia, Puerto Rico is 3-1-1 with 1 knockout. Thomas. 201 lbs of East Stroudsberg, PA is 1-5.

Emilo Salas scored a 2nd round stoppage over Glenn Thomas in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Salas dropped Thomas with a left hand and the fight was stopped at 42 seconds of round two.

Salas, 201 lbs of San Sebastia, Puerto Rico is 3-1-1 with 1 knockout. Thomas. 201 lbs of East Stroudsberg, PA is 1-5.

Neil Magny won a 3-round split decision over Erick Silva in a Welterweight bout.

Magny won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 while Silva won a card 29-28/

Magny, 170.5 lbs of Denver, CO is 16-5. Silva, 171 lbs of Brazil is 18-6-1.

Patrick Cote stopped Josh Burkman in round three of a thrilling Welterweight bout.

The two exchanged huge blows in round three until Cote landed a perfect right that dropped Burkman. Cote jumped on Burkman and landed 10 unanswered blows on the ground until the bout was stopped at 1:26 of round three.

Cote, 170 lbs of Montreal is 23-7. Burkman, 170 lbs of Draker, UT is 28-12-1.

Francisco Trinaldo scored an upset 1st round stoppage over Chad Laprise in a Lightweight bout.

Trinaldo knocked down Laprise and moments later landed unaswered shots from behind on a prone Laprise and the fight was stopped at 2:23.

Trinaldom 155.5 lbs of Brasilia, BRA is now 18-4. Laprise, 155.5 lbs of Montreal is 11-1.

Olivier Aubin Mercier won a 3-round unanimous decision over Tony Sims in a Lightweight bout.

Mercier, 155 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 8-1. Sims, 155.5 lbs of Denver, CO is 12-3.

Valerie Latourneau scored a 3-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Maryna Moroz in a Straweight bout.

Latourneau, 116 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 and is now 8-3. Moroz, 115 lbs of Ukraine is 6-1.

Frankie Perez scored 54 second stoppage over Sam Stout in a Lightweight bout.

Felipe Arantes scored a 1st round submission over Yves Jabouin in a Bantamweight bout.

Arantes made Jabouin submit with an armbar.

Arantes, 135.5 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 17-7-1-2. Jabouin, 135.5 lbs of Montreal is 20-11.

Nikita Krylov scored a 1st round submission over Marcos Rogerio de Lima in a Light Heavyweight bout.

de Lima had Krylov in a choke for much of the first minute until Krylov turned it around and had de Lima in a rear naked choke and he tapped out at 2:29.

Krylov, 205.5 lbs of Donestk, UKR is 19-4. de Lima. 205 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 13-4-1.

Chris Kelades won a 3-round split decision over Chris Beal in a Flyweight bout.

Kelades, 125.5 lbs of Cole Harbour, CAN won by scores of 29-28 twice and Beal took a card 30-27.

Kelades is 9-2. Beal, 126 lbs of Ventura, CA is 10-2.

Misha Cirkunov scored a 1st round stoppage over Daniel Jolley in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Cirkunov pounded Jolley from behind until the bout was stopped at 4:45 of round one.

Cirkunov is 10-2.

Vic Pasillas stopped Andres Tapia after round three of their scheduled 8-round Super Bantamweight bout

Pasillas dropped Tapia in round three from a combination. After the round, the fight was stopped in the corner.

Pasillas, 121 lbs of East Los Angeles is 11-0 with 4 knockouts. Tapia, 124 1/2 lbs of Mexicali, MX is now 8-5-2.

Ricardo Perez got off the deck to come back to stop Noe Medina in round 9 of their scheduled 12-round Light Flyweight bout at Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Medina scored a knockdown in round two with a short left hook.

Perez came on strong and rocked Medina throughout and turned it up in round nine until the fight was stopped at 1:01 of round two.

Perez, 107 lbs of Canvun, MX is now 9-2 with 8 knockouts. Medina is 5-4.

Edgar Jimenez scored an upset victory via a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Ivan Morales in a Bantamweight bout.

It was a back and forth war but it was Jimenez win by scores of 97-93 twice and 95-95 to raise his mark to 20-11-2. Morales, the brother of former legendary champion Erik Morales is now 28-1.

WBC Heabyweight champion Deontay Wilder will defend the WBC Heavyweight title on September 26 against unheralded Johan Duhaupas in Birmingham, Alabama, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I know my opponent has great size, and that’s what we’re looking for in opponents,” the 6-foot-7, 229-pound Wilder said of the 6-5, 242-pound Duhaupas. “He has a great record, and he’s never been knocked out — until he faces me. I know Duhaupas is tough and he comes to fight, and that’s exactly what we need.”

“Fighting at home last time exceeded my expectations, and coming back again is a blessing upon my life,” Wilder said. “I’m looking forward to bringing more boxing to Alabama and introducing the entire state to this great sport.”

Said Lou DiBella, who is promoting the card on behalf of the PBC, “Deontay Wilder is one of the brightest stars in boxing. It’s great for boxing to have an American heavyweight champion make a defense in his hometown, on free television, in prime time. In heavyweight years, Deontay is a young champion, and it’s great to see him fighting so often and continuing to grow and improve as a champion.”

“I am very happy to be challenging Deontay Wilder for the heavyweight world title,” said Duhaupas, who did not appear at the news conference but spoke in a pre-taped video. “This is a huge opportunity, and I will make the most of it on Sept. 26. Deontay is a good boxer, but I have the heart of a lion and the mental fortitude to handle anything in the ring.

“Fighting in the U.S. was a dream for me, and now I’ll achieve it. Fighting against Deontay Wilder is the next logical step for me. I’ve been dreaming about [fighting for a world title] for 15 years, boxing and training for 15 years, and now I can do it. Deontay is very dangerous. He is a huge champion, but I can be a huge champion, too, and I’ll do it.”

“From Holmes in ’85 to Wilder in ’15, NBC Sports continues its rich boxing heritage with a heavyweight championship fight in prime time,” said Jon Miller, the president of programming for NBC Sports. “This broadcast will introduce Deontay to a whole new group of sports fans, which is what we set out to do when we first partnered with PBC.”

In the junior welterweight co-feature, former lightweight titleholders Omar Figueroa Jr. (25-0-1, 18 KOs) and Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs) will meet in a scheduled 12-round bout.

Terence Crawford will defend the WBO Lightweight title against Dierry Jean on October 24 in Crawford’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

I’m excited to be able to bring these types of fights to Omaha. This is what Omaha, Nebraska, has been missing for decades,” Crawford told ESPN.com on Thursday. “I’m just happy to bring some excitement to the city instead of the people watching the news and hearing about all the negativity going on.”

“I just can’t wait. I want this. I’m hungry,” Jean said. “Crawford is the HBO darling who is supposed to be the next big thing, but I will hurt him. Mark my words. I will be crowned world champion on Oct. 24th.”

“His lone loss was in his first world title challenge, and he doesn’t want to miss his chance for a world title this time,” said Camille Estephan, Jean’s manager. “Dierry wants to fulfill his potential, and I believe he’s learned from his world title shot experience in January 2014. It’s great that we have a chance at redemption, and Oct. 24 will be his moment. This fight has the makings of a great battle for the fans.”

“I’m excited about the fight,” Crawford said. “A lot of people don’t know who he is but I know him. He’s a great, solid fighter. No walk in the park. I’m just ready. I watched [Peterson-Jean] live [on television]. I watched it as a fan, but there was always that possible chance of us fighting. On that particular day, I wasn’t looking at him like I’ll fight him one day but I knew that day may come.

“He put up a great fight against Peterson. He made it very exciting. He showed a lot of heart, showed a lot of skill, showed a lot of determination. You can’t take anything away from the guy. I will be totally prepared for whatever Dierry Jean brings to the ring.”

Said Cameron Dunkin, Crawford’s co-manager with Brian McIntyre, “This is a big fight for Terence. Dierry Jean is an excellent fighter and Terence knows it. Terence is very focused and is training harder than ever anticipating a very competitive fight. Believe me, Terence will be ready.”

“I was willing to fight the IBF champion [Cuenca] to unify our titles,” Crawford said. “You know me. I was willing to fight anybody. I got some names — Orozco, Soto — but they’re fighting each other. Herrera came up. [My managers] brought up Cuenca. I was like, ‘OK, I’m ready to face him in a unification fight.’ But I let my managers do their job. Dierry Jean got the fight.

“I never predict a knockout. I only predict victory. As long as my hand is raised at the end of the fight, I’m happy with that.”

Johnathan Arellano scored a fifth round stoppage over Mike Oliver in a Jr. Welterweight bout

In round four, Oliver was dropped with a big left hook. Just seconds into round five, Oliver was not able to continue and the fight was stopped at

Arrellano is 16-6-2 with 4 knockouts. Oliver is 26-6-1.

By Norm Frauenheim
FORT McDOWELL, Ariz. – A title was at stake in a fight scheduled for only eight rounds.

Turns out, Louis Rose only needed eight. Ten or 12 weren’t necessary.

Rose (13-3-1, 5 KOs), of Lynwood, Calif., retained a junior NABF version of the middleweight title Saturday, stopping Phoenix challenger Andrew Hernandez (9-2-1, 1 KO) at 2:02 of the round, 58 seconds short of a complete eight.

Hernandez, who was bloodied above his right eye in the fourth, had no defense for a succession of right hands in the final round. They landed, one after another, like a wave hitting a beach.

The last one from Rose put Hernandez down along the ropes. Hernandez got up, but looked helpless, prompting a timely stoppage from referee Wes Melton on a card jointly promoted by Roy Jones Jr. and Iron Boy of Phoenix.

The card lost some of its star power when former junior-flyweight champion Giovani Seguro was forced to withdraw. Promoter Robert Vargas of Iron Boy said his scheduled opponent, Nicaraguan Juan Palacios, told him that he was not ready to fight.

Best of the Undercard: Phoenix featherweight Carlos Castro (12-0, 6 KOs) landed a right hand early, sending a message that would land repeatedly in a decision as definitive as it was unanimous over Johnny Guillen of El Paso, Tex.

Guillen was considered the toughest test in Castro’s early career. He aced the test and nearly aced Guiillen in the process. Castro’s right dropped the once unbeaten Guillen late in the fifth. If there had been more than a few seconds left in the round, it might have been over.

But the tough Guillen (7-1-1, 3 KOs) survived, only to be handed his first defeat when the scorecards – 60-53 on all three — were announced after the sixth.

The Rest: San Antonio welterweight Benjamin Whitaker (10-1, 2 KOs) UD over John Ryan Grimaldo (9-7, 6 KOs) of
Fort Collins, Colo; Phoenix super-bantamweight Paul Romero (5-0-1, 1 KO) UD over Raymond Chacon (5-17) of Los Angeles; Phoenix featherweight Keenan Carbajal (7-3-1, 4 KOs) UD over Jose Silveira (15-16, 6 KOs) of Mexico; Phoenix super-flyweight Alexis Zazueta (6-0, 3 KO) UD over Sergio Lopez (2-3-1) of Las Ve

Christopher Diaz scored a 1st round stoppage over Alcides Santiago in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout at Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon. Puerto Rico.

Diaz jumped all over Santiago and he floored him with a hard right-left combination. Diaz did not ket up as he was all over Santiago and continued to land hard shots to the head and the bout was stopped at 2:26 of round one.

Diaz, 127 lbs of Baymon, PR is now 12-0 with 7 knockouts. Santiago of Lares, PR is 5-2.

Jason Sosa scored a 1st round stoppage over former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Sosa landed a perfect left hook-straight right combination that sent Belmontes to the deck. Belmontes tried to get to his feet but appeared to hurt his foot and the fight was stopped after the count reach 10 at 2:39 of round one.

Sosa, 130 lbs of Camden, NJ is 17-1-3 with 13 knockouts. Belmontes, 131 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is 19-8.

Jean Rivera scored a 1st round stoppage over Jose Roman in a scheduled 4-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Rivera scored two knockdowns and the bout was stopped.

Rivera, 121 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 3-0 with 2 knockouts. Roman, 122 lbs is 0-3.

Jean Torres made a successful pro debut by scoring a 65 second stoppage over Jonathan Guzman in a scheduled 4-round Lightweight bout.

Torres landed a straight right to the body that sent Guzman down for the 10-count.

Torres, 134 lbs of Trujillo Alto, PR is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Guzman, 133 lbs is 0-3.

Jovanni Santiago scored a 1st round stoppage over Leroy Padilla in a scheduled 6-round Welterweight bout..

The bout was stopped at 1:48 after a knockdown for Santiago, 144 lbs and is now 6-0-1 with 4 knockouts. Padilla, 142 lbs is 1-10.

By Norm Frauenheim

FORT McDOWELL, Ariz. — Former junior-flyweight champion Giovani Segura withdrew from a card Saturday night at We-Ke-Po Conference Center because opponent Juan Palacios of Nicaragua said he wasn’t ready, promoter Robert Vargas said before first bell.

Vargas said he spoke to Segura’s representatives before the card.

“They just told me that he needed more time to train,,” said Vargas of Iron Boy, which promoted the card in a joint venture with Roy Jones Jr.

Vargas said other dates were discussed.

Cards scheduled for Sept. 26 and Oct. 17 in Phoenix are possibilities for Segura-Palaciaos, Vargas said.

Segura (32-4-1, 28 KOs) had been talking about a bout with Roman Gonzalez, who is is scheduled to face Brian Viloria on the Gennady Golovkin card at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Oct.17. Segura has tried to stay busy since losing last September to Juan Francisco Estrada.

It’s the second time that Segura was

Former world champion Lucian Bute came back from a 19 month layoff to stop Andrea Di Luisa in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout at Bell Centre in Montreal.

In round four, Bute dropped Di Luisa with a straight left. Moments later, Bute landed a flurry of punches that had the corner of Di Luisa throw in the towel at 1:53 of round 4.

Bute, 170 lbs of Montreal, CAN is 32-2 with 25 knockouts. Di Luisa, 169 lbs of Italy is 17-3.

In a battle of previously undefeated Light Heavyweight, Elieder Alvarez won a 12-round unanimous decision over Isidro Prieto

In round three, Prieto was cut over the right eye.

Alvarez, 174.2 lbs of Montreal, CAN won by scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111 and is now 18-0. Prietro, 174.4 lbs of Buenos Airies, ARG is 24-1-3.

Caleb Plant remained undefeated by stopping Zolton Sera in the 1st round of their scheduled 8-round Middleweight bout.

Plant, 162.4 lbs of Nashville, TN scored 3 knockdowns and is 9-0 with 8 knockouts. Sera, 162.6 lbs of Budepest, HUN is 19-6.

NEWARK–Former world champions Steve Cunningham and Antonio Tarver battled to a 12-round split draw at Prudential Center.

Scores were 115-113 for Cunningham, 115-114 Tarver and 114-114.

Cunningham, 204 lbs of Philadelphia is now 28-7-1. Tarver, 217 lbs of Tampa is 31-6-1.

Krzystof Glowacki scored a thrilling 11th round stoppage over long reigning champion Marco Huck to capture the WBO Cruiserweight championship.

Huck was buckled in round one from a right hook. In round six, Huck dropped Glowacki with a left hook to the side of the head. the remained of the round produced thrilling action that had both guys rocking each other for the final two minutes.

Glowacki’s right eye was cut at the end of round nine. In round eleven, Glowacki landed a thdding right hook that sent Hick sprawling on his back. With Huck visibly hurt, Glowacki jumped on Huck and landed a flurry of punches and referee David Fields stopped the bout at 2:39 of round 11.

Glowacki, 198 lbs of Walcz, POL is now 25-0 with 16 knockouts. Huck, 199 lbs of Berlin, GER is 38-3-1.

Kamil Lasczyk won an 8-round unanimous decision over Oscauris Frias in a battle of undefeated Featherweights.

Lasczyk a knockdown in round four and Frias was deducted a point for hitting after the bell of round three.

Lasczyk,North Bergen, NJ won by scores of 80-70 on all cards and is now 21-0. Frias, 131 lbs of Nagua, DR is 16-1.

Luis Rosa remained undefeated with a technical unanimous decision over Giovanni Caro in a scheduled 8-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Rosa of New Haven, CT won by scores of 60-55, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 21-0. Caro of Mexico City is 24-17-4.

Jarrett Hurd scored a 7th round stoppage over Jeff Lentz in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout of undefeated fighters.

Hurd battered Lentz against the ropes until the bout was stopped at 2:59 of round seven.

Hurd of Accokeek, MD is 16-0 with 10 knockouts. Lentz of Lanoka Harbor, NJ is 5-1-1.

Mikkel LesPierre remained undefeated by scoring a 6-round unanimous decision over Kevin Womack Jr. in a Super Lightweight bout.

LesPierre of New York won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and is now 10-0. Womack of Baltomore is 7-7-3.

Artur Szpilka scored a 2nd round stoppage over Yasmany Consuegra in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Szpilka, 231 lbs of Wieliczka, POL is 20-1 with 15 knockouts. Consuegra, 230 lb of Miami is 17-2.

Maciej Sulecki scored a 1st round stoppage over Jose Rodriguez in a scheduled 8-round Super Middleweight bout.

Sulecki, 164 lbs of Warsaw, POL is now 20-0 with 6 knockouts. Rodriguez is 21-9.

Travis Kauffman scored a 1st round stoppage over Richard Carmack in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Kauffman dropped Carmack with a hard right hand for the the count at

Kauffman, 239 lbs of Reading, PA is now 29-1 with 21 knockouts. Carmack, 332 lbs of Kansas City is 13-7.

By Norm Frauenheim-

FORT McDOWELL, Ariz. –Former junior-flyweight champion Giovani Segura battles to get back into the world-title mix, this time at super-flyweight, Saturday night against Juan Palacios at We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center at Fort McDowell on the Yavapai Nation Reservation east of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Segura (32-4-1, 28 KOs), a Mexican now living and training in Southern California, is scheduled for a 10-rounder against Nicaraguan Juan Palacios (29-5-2, 22 KOs) on a seven-fight card, staged in a joint promotion by Roy Jones Jr. and Iron Boy of Phoenix.

Segura is coming off a loss last September in Mexico City to Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBA’s super-flyweight title in Mexico City. From 2008 through 2011, he held the WBO version of the 108-pound championships. Michael Carbajal, a Hall of Famer from nearby Phoenix, held that same title in the 1990s.

Louis Rose (12-2-1, 4 KOs) of Lynwood, Calif., is scheduled for the main event against Andrew Hernandez (9-1-1, 1 KO) for a minor junior-middleweight title.
First bell is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Carlos Ocampo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jhonny Navarrete in a Welterweight bout.

Ocampo dropped Navarrete in round one with a perfect right hand and cruised home to the victory by scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 97-92 and is now 16-0. Navarrete is 29-7-1.

Dimitrill Mikhailenko scored an 8th round stoppage over Johan Perez in a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Mikhailenko landed a big barrge of punches on a bloody Perez in round eight. A follow up flurry forced referee Ray Corona to stop the bout at 1:21 of round 8.

Mikhailenko, 146 lbs of Russia is 20-0 with 9 knockouts. Perez. 147 lba of Caracas, VEM is 20-3-1.

Manuel Avila scored a stoppage after six-rounds over Yoandris Salinas after Salinas could not continue due to a hand injury in their scheduled 10-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Avila dropped Salinas in round one from a perfect counter right. After Salinas got to his feet, the two engaged in a furious exchange.

Salinas hurt his hand and pulled the plug on the fight between round six and seven.

Avila, 121 1/2 lbs of Fairfield, CA is 18-0 with 8 knockouts. Salinas, 122 lbs of Miami, FL is 22-2-2.

Tevin Farmer scored an 8th round stoppage over Daulis Prescott in a scheduled 10-round Super Featherweight bout.

Farmer scored a knockdown in round four from a right hook. In round six, Farmer dropped Prescott again with a body shot but was deducted a point for hitting Prescott while he was down.

In round eight, Farmer dumped Prescott with a hard straight left that sent him on his back and the fight was stopped at 52 seconds of round eight.

Farmer, 130 lbs of Philadelphia is 20-4-1 with 5 knockouts. Prescott, 29 1/2 lbs of Baranquilla, COL is 29-3.

Sergio Mora was diagnosed with a fracted ankle and ligament tears from his bout with Daniel Jacobs last Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Mora’s injury was diagnosed Thursday, when he visited a doctor in his hometown of Los Angeles. An avulsion fracture occurs when a chunk of bone tears away from the main bone.

Mora suffered the injury when he fell awkwardly and got his ankle caught underneath him as he was knocked down in the second round of a fight against middleweight titleholder Daniel Jacobs on Aug. 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, in the co-feature of a Premier Boxing Champions card on ESPN.

“The X-rays show an avulsion fracture; more damage was shown on the MRI with ligament tears,” Mora said. “That’s what I heard pop, the doctor said.”

“Rehab and back in there,” he said. “[Manager] Al [Haymon] promised me a big fight next. No tuneup. Heal up properly first. I’ve broken my left ankle, that required surgery and still have pins. This is not as severe as that injury. It took me about two months to begin walking then. I can estimate less time for this injury.”

ATLANTIC CITY–Sergiy Derevyanchenko pounded out an 8-round unanimous decision over Elvin Ayala in a Middleweight bout at Ballys Atlantic City.

Devevyanchenko dominated and landed power shots that won hi every round to the tune of 80-72 twice and 80-71 to raise his record to 6-0. Ayala is 28-7-1.

“I am happy with my performance. I would have liked to have scored the knockout, but Elvin showed he has a lot of heart,” said Derevyanchenko. “I was able to work on a lot of different things and show a lot of different dimensions to my game.

“This was my first time going eight rounds and I feel great. My stamina was great and I was able to do pretty much everything that I wanted to do in there. Elvin was my toughest opponent to date and I think that I passed this test with flying colors.

“I feel that I need a few more fights, and a few more good learning experiences like this, but a world title is not too far down the road. I trust my team behind me to guide me in the right direction, and when they tell me that I am ready, then I will be.”

“The kid can flat out fight,” said Ayala. “He without a doubt has championship caliber. I tip my hat off to him. I thought that I would be able to do something to neutralize him in there, but he was the better man tonight. He has a very bright future.

Ievgen Khytrov took a few round to get going but he scored a 8th round stoppage in the final scheduled round of his Middleweight bout with Nick Brinson.

Brinson was befuddling Khytrov with quick combinations that started swelling under the right eye of Khytrov in round four.

Khyrtov started landing the heavy shots in round six and in round seven, he rocked Brinson for the better part of the round. Brinson did well by not hitting the deck in the seventh. In round eight, Khytrov rocked Brinson with a hard left hook that sent him across the ring into the corner. Brinson took several more hard blows and the fight was stopped just as Brinson was taking a knee at 2:39 of round eight.

Kyhtrov, 159 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Brinson, 159 lbs of Albany, NY is 17-4-2.

“This was a tough fight for me. I had some discomfort in my stomach back in the dressing room, I just didn’t feel 100 percent, and it took me a couple of rounds to find my rhythm,” said Khytrov. “Brinson had a good game plan and had some success early, but I never worried. I knew I was hurting him with my shots and I felt him breaking down as the rounds wore on.

“This was a good learning experience for me and my career. I fought through some adversity and still was still able to secure the victory. I feel that I am ready for some of the biggest name in the 160-pound division but I have faith in my team, my trainers, managers and promoters, and they will do whatever is best for me. Whatever they decide is best, I will be ready for and ready to put on a spectacular performance.”

“I am fine. I am upset with the stoppage, said Brinson. “Our game plan was to box and give him a lot of lateral movement. I felt his strength on the inside, so we worked to outbox him and overwhelm him with the jab.

“I took a knee to recoup. I wasn’t knocked out. I knew where I was. I thought the smart thing to do was take a knee and get myself back together. He was coming on strong, but I knew there wasn’t much time left at all in the fight. I looked at the ref and I told him I was fine and he still stopped the fight. It is upsetting to me. I was winning the fight.

“I would love a rematch. It was a great fight, and I think the fans loved it. If a rematch is on the table I would take it right away.”

In an entertaining and competitive 8-round Jr. Welterweight fight, Regis Prograis won a 8-round unanimous decision over Amos Cowart

It was Prograis who put his punches together in the first part of the punch as he landed crisp combiation where Cowart landed effectively but one at a time. At the end of round seven, the two had a furious exchange that sw both guys landing hard shots on each other. The flurry drew blood from the nose of Prograis. Cowart started to drip blood from his nose in the final frame.

Prograis, 139 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 80-72 twice & 79-71 and id now 15-0. Cowart, 139 lbs of Groveland, FL is now 11-1-1.

Prograis landed 381 of 909 punches while Cowart was 129 of 461.

“I feel great, I am ready to go a couple more rounds,” said Prograis. “This was a great fight for me. I was able to show another dimension and box.

“I have been going in there and just walking guys down and putting them away, but Amos came to fight. He showed that he has a huge heart and a great chin, because I hit him with some big shots and he kept coming, so I tip my hat off to him.

“He was a true warrior in there, he hit me with some good shots, but we expected that coming in and were prepared for that. I am very happy with my performance. This is just the beginning for me.”
Cowart, who moved up in weight for this matchup, admitted Prograis was the better fighter.

“He is a really good fighter,” said Cowart. “I was expecting him to come in and go toe-to-toe. He never hurt me, but he was more active.

“He was able to adjust in there. He was the better man tonight. I think it was a very exciting fight, and I wish I would have let my hands go more. I showed that I am true warrior though and I will be back and learn from this.”

Thomas LaManna won an 8-round unanimous decision over Josh Robertson in a rematch of Middleweights.

LaManna. 158 lbs of Millville, NJ jabbed and worked the body well and won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 17-1. Robertson, 160 lbs of Lynchburg, VA is 7-9.

Joey Dawejko needed one uppercut to dispose of Robert Dunton in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweoght bout.

Dawejko landed an uppercut that put Dunton down on the canvas and the bout was stopped at 31 seconds of round one.

Dawejko, 236 lbs of Philadelphia is now 15-4-2 with 8 knockouts. Dunton, 236 lbs of Wilmington. DE s 11-15-1.

Noel Murphy scored a 1st round stoppage over Stacy Anderson in a scheduled 4-round Welterweight bout

Murphy dropped ANderson with a hard right hook. Anderson got to his feet but was dropped by a barrage of punches that was punctuated by a right hook and the fight was topped at 2:27 of round one.

Murphy, 145 lbs of Woodlawn, NY via Ireland is now 3-0 with 2 knockouts. Anderson, 145 lbs of Washington, DC is 0-3.

Anthony Burgin scored an impressive first round stoppage over Justin Johnson in a scheduled 6-round Lightweight bout.

In round one, Burgin landed a solid counter right that put Johnson down. Seconds later, Burgin landed a combination to the body that \put Johnson down for a second time. Johnson was clearly hurt and a hard combination put Johnson down for a 3rd and final time and referee Sparkle Lee stopped the bout at 2:57 of round one.

Burgin, 135 lbs of Philadelphia is 9-1 with 2 knockouts. Johnson, 136 lbs of Pittsburgh, PA is 7-9-4.

Avtandil Khurtsidze scored a 1st round stoppage over Melvin Betancourt in a scheduled 8-round Middleweight bout.

Khurtsidze landed a left hook that put Netancourt flat on his back. Betancourt got up but was unstable and referee Earl Brown stopped the bout at 2:22 of round one.

Khurtsidze. 163 lbs of Brooklyn is now 31-2-2 with 20 knockouts. Betancourt, 162 lbs of Miami, FL is 29-3.

Roy Tapia remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Juan Luis Hernandez in a scheduled 8-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Tapia dropped Hernandez in round two and again in round three with a crushing left hook and the bout was stopped at 1:49.

Tapia, 122 3/4 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA is 11-0-2 with 6 knockouts. Hernandez, 122 1/2 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 18-6-1.

Hector Tanajara Jr. destroyed Thomas De leon in one round of their scheduled 4-round Super Lightweight bout.

Tanajara dropped De Leon with a 4 punch combination and then ended the fight with a perfect right hand that sent De Leon down for the 10 count at 1:14.

Tanajara, 134 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 1-0 with 1 knockout. De Leon, 137 3/4 lbs of Grand Rapids, MI is 0-3.

18 year-old Jonathan Navarro made a successful pro debut with a 1st round stoppage over Andrew Gomez in a scheduled 4-round Jr. welterweight bout.

Navarro dropped Gomez in round one from a left uppercut. Seconds later a flurry sent Gomez to canvas again and the fight was halted at 1:03 of round one.

Navarro, 139 3/4 lbs of East Los Angeles is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Gomez, 139 lbs of Glavaston, TX is 0-2.

AL Haymon has added yet another network to his stable of broadcasters at Premier Boxing Champions will debut on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes beginning on September 8 according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

the cable sports network will televise 21 cards through June 2016. They will take place on Tuesday nights, hence the FS1 marketing slogan of “Toe-To-Toe Tuesdays.

“We’ve been invested in boxing as a cornerstone property since launching Fox Sports 1,” said David Nathanson, head of business operations for Fox Sports. “Premier Boxing Champions delivers high-profile, high-quality programming that is breaking viewership records in the boxing space. There is no question that this deal makes Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes true destinations for boxing fans.”

• Sept. 15: Rising welterweight contender Sammy Vasquez (19-0, 13 KOs) against Jose Lopez (25-3-1, 15 KOs). Light heavyweights Thomas Williams Jr. (18-1, 12 KOs) and Umberto Savigne (12-2, 9 KOs) will meet in the co-feature.

• Sept. 22: Junior middleweight contender Julian Williams (20-0-1, 12 KOs) takes on Luciano Cuello (35-3, 17 KOs). Junior featherweight Moises Flores (23-0, 16 KOs) will defend his interim title against Luis Emmanuel Cusolito (21-1, 19 KOs) in the co-feature.

• Sept. 29: Junior lightweight titlist Javier Fortuna (28-0-1, 20 KOs) will make his first defense when he faces Carlos Velazquez (19-1, 12 KOs). In the co-feature, junior middleweight Domonique Dolton (17-0, 9 KOs) will face 2012 Mexican Olympian Oscar Molina (13-0, 10 KOs).

Brian Kenny, the former longtime host of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights and, more recently, Showtime’s “Showtime Championship Boxing,” will serve as host of the series.

“I’m so excited to be working on Fox Sports 1 on this new PBC series,” Kenny said. “We’re looking forward to making boxing even more accessible to the fans, providing world class matchups and putting the spotlight on fighters, who deserve to be seen by both hardcore and mainstream fans. We will be real with the audience, show them respect and give them the landscape of the boxing world.”

Juan Carlos Payano retained the WBA Bantamweight title with a 12-round split decision over former three-time US Olympian Rau’She Warren at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.

Payano was deducted a point in round three for hitting behind the head.

Payano was cut on his forehead in round eight due to an accidental headbutt. Warren was deducted two points in round nine for pushing Payano. Later in the round, Payano was cut badly on his right eye from an accidental headbutt.

Payano, 118 lbs of Miami won by scores of 113-111 twice while Warren took a card 115-109.

Payano is now 17-0. Warren, 117 lbs of Cincinnati. OH is 13-1.

Jorge Cota won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yudel Jhonson in a 10-round Super Welterweight bout.

Jhonson was deducted a point for pushing and punching in round six. Jhonson was controversially dropped when in round eight no punch was landed but Jhonson went to the canvas. Cota scored two more knockdowns in round nine, when Cota landed a flurry of punches and the 2nd knockdown was caused from a solid right.

Cota of Los Mochis, MX won by scores of 96-91 and 95-92 twice and is now 25-1. Jhonson of Havana, CUB is 17-2.

John Jackson won a 10-round unanimous decision over Denis Laurente in a Super Welterweight bout.

In round three, Jackson dropped Laurente with a perfect right.

Jackson of the US Virgin Islands won by scores of 100-89 on all three cards and is now 20-2. Laurente of the Philippines is 49-6-5

Former world title challenger, Chris Avalos won an 8-round unanimous decision over Rey Perez in a Featherweight bout at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

Avalos, 126 1/2 lbs of Lancaster, CA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 26-3. Perez, 125 1/4 lbs of the Philippines is now 20-7

Casey Ramos scored a 8-round unanimous decision over Daniel Evangelista Jr. in a lightweight bout.

Ramos, 132 lbs of Dallas, TX won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 20-0. Evangelista, 130 1/4 lbs of Mexico City, MX is 20-7.

BROOKLYN–Danny Garcia made is Welterweight debut with an emphatic 9th round stoppage over Paulie Malignaggi in a battle of former world champions in from of 7,237 at Barclays Center.

Garica controlled the action for most of the fight as he came forward winging and connecting power shots from the opening bell. Malignaggi’s right flank was red from absorbing body punches and he started to bleed from around his right eye as early as round three. Malignaggi had short yet unpowerful bursts of offense as he connected on some jabs and counter rights that may won him a couple rounds. It was Garcia who dominated with the effective punches as the blood got worse for Malignaggi in round eight.

In round nine, Garcia was sensing that Maliganggi did not have much left landed several more hard combinations and the bout was stopped at 2:22 of round nine.

Garcia, 146.6 lbs of Philadelphia made his maiden voyage at Welterweight is now 31-0 with 18 knockouts. Malignaggi, 146.8 lbs of Brooklyn. NY is now 33-7.

DANNY GARCIA

“First I want to thank God, team Garcia, ESPN, Al Haymon and the fans. My dad wanted me to be sharp and throw more straight punches.

“I felt a lot stronger. In the 9th round I felt like it was round 1. I need to work on shortening up punches and sticking with the game plan.

“Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter are great fighters in this division, and they’re both represented by Al Haymon so if they want we can make it happen.”

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

“I was trying to dictate the pace b/c I didn’t want him to get into a groove. He’s a hard puncher and I didn’t want to give him confidence to land a big shot. I wanted to dictate with my jab and keep him missing so he’d second guess on throwing his power. The less power shots he throws the less power shots he could hit me with. I was trying to take a bit of his confidence. He was walking me down fairly well behind the jab. He cut me in the 4th and I think that upped his confidence. I never could get control of the pace though. In spots I felt I was giving up less ground and I had him missing. He got back on his groove though and he had a strong advantage maybe 70% to 30%…

“I think Danny can be an upper echelon fighter, he already is. And he can put his name in the history books. He has a lot of talent. People don’t realize he has a lot of character too. He has a very good poker face. He doesn’t get frustrated, and if he does he doesn’t show it to you. His father’s a great trainer and he really stays on him. Danny listens and they have a great relationship. Every time a round would start it was like he was fresh. Even at the end of rounds when I gave him something to think about he came back, and that’s really important.

“I’ve got a really good job commentating and watching great fighters fight ringside. I hope to sit around ringside for a long time. I felt like if I couldn’t put up a great performance tonight then it would be my last. I was trying to hang tough as much as I could. I remember when I was taking big shots I just kept thinking ‘Don’t give in. This is your last night if you give in. Don’t show that you’re going to give in. If you can show that you’re still hungry for it then you’ll convince yourself that this isn’t the end.’ I wanted to keep showing that I want it. Little by little he broke me down, and I have no problem with the stoppage.

“I’m probably not fighting again. You hate to make an emotional decision. My career started in Brooklyn 14 years ago. If it ends in Brooklyn tonight then at least I ended it at home where I’m from and in front of the greatest fans in the world”

Danny Jacobs retained his WBA Middleweight title with a 2nd round stoppage over Sergio Mora.

Jacobs drew first in round one as he landed a perfect right uppercut that sent Mora to the ground. Seconds later, It was Mora landed a perfectly timed left hook with Jacobs coming in that sent Jacobs to the deck. In round two, Jacobs landed a little combination that sent Mora to the canvas for a 2nd time and Mora rolled his ankle. When Mora got to his feet he was limping and could not continue at 2:55 of round two.

Jacobs, 159.8 lbs of Brooklyn is now 30-0 with 27 knockouts. Mora, 159.2 lbs of Los Angles, CA is 28-4-2.

DANIEL JACOBS

“No rematch, no reason to go backwards. Thank God for this victory, but I’m not going to give him a rematch just b/c.”

“I said did a guy w/ 9 knockdowns really knock me down?

“What’s next? I’ll leave it up to my manager Al Haymon and see what he says. I think these Brooklynites deserve something special and I think me and Kid Chocolate would be that special fight here at Barclays. And we’re on the “A” side now, we’re champions, so let’s do it!”

SERGIO MORA

Spoken to his corner man “I know it’s broken. I heard it pop.”

“I heard my knee pop and want to see replay b/c I know my ankle is broken,

“The commission told me anything less than four rounds then it’s a no contest. If you ask Danny I know he heard it too.

“I told you I came here to fight. I give him credit, but I came to take this championship. I want a rematch.”

Adam Kownacki scored a 2nd round stoppage over Maurenzo Smith in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Kownacki dropped Smith with a right hand and the fight was stopped at 2:26 of round two.

Kownacki. 251.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Smith, 258.2 lbs of Houston, TX is 12-10-3.

Rafael Vasquez scored a 1st round stoppage over Mario Macias in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

Vasquez dropped dropped Macias with a right hand and the bout was stopped 67 seconds into the fight.

Vasquez, 125.2 lbs is 16-1 with 13 knockouts. Macias, 126 lbs of Mexico is 26-17.

Popular Heather Hardy scored a 7th round stoppage over Renata Domsodi in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

Domsodi began to bleed from her mouth in round three. The blood began to pour out and Hardy continued her assault until the bout was stopped 1 second into round seven.

Hardy, 121.2 lbs of Brooklyn is 14-0 with 3 knockouts. Domsodi, 121.6 lbs of Budapest, HUN is 12-7.

Thomas Velasquez made a successful pro debut with a stoppage in the 4th and final round of his Jr. Lightweight bout with Gabriel Braxton.

Velasquez dominated the bout with his aggressive style and in round four dropped Braxton hard with a right hand and the fight was stopped at 1:20 of round four.

Velasquez. 127.2 lbs of Philadelphia is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Braxton, 127.2 lbs of Red Oak, GA is 2-11.

Titus Williams made a successful pro debut as he won a 4-round unanimous decision over Micha Branch in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Williams, 128 lbs of Elmont, NY. Branch, 130 lbs of Cincinnati, is 2-15-1.

Prichard Colon remained perfect by blowing out Michael Finney in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Colon landed a huge right that was quickly followed up by a hard combination that snapped Finney’s head back several times before he hit the canvas. The fight was stopped upon Finney getting to his feet at 1:23 of round two.

Colon, 147.2 lbs of Orocovis, PR is 15-0 with 12 knockouts. Finney, 147.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 12-4-1.