Dibella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing was back with a bang at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City as Thomas Oosthuizen (19-0-1, 11 KO’s, 167lbs) put his IBO title on the line against Rowland Bryant (16-1, 11 KO’s, 168lbs) in a very high profile bout. It is thought that either fighter could see a showdown with Carl Froch in the near future. Both fighters fought a measured pace in the first three rounds, but it was clear that they both possessed some serious firepower as a few of their exchanges drew “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd.
Oosthuizen tried utilizing his 6”4’ height to his advantage, by fighting from the outside and dropping long blows. Bryant worked to counter Oosthuizen’s attack by coming over the top. That worked in the second round, as Bryant was able to land some hard shots upstairs. By the fourth, Oosthuizen had established his jab, which was working on keeping Bryant at bay. Bryant’s only response was to throw wild haymakers that smacked loudly against Oosthuizen’s gloves, but did no damage.
The fifth round saw Bryant try and work Oosthuizen into the ropes, but Oosthuizen was more than happy to allow Bryant to smother his own punches while allowing himself to chip away with small blows on the inside. The sixth saw a change of pace as Bryant was able to land a hard looping right hand that rocked Oosthuizen. He followed that up with multiple hooks with Oosthuizen against the ropes. Halfway through the round, things calmed down and Oosthuizen was back on the offensive throwing hard shots of his own. In the seventh and eighth rounds, things were back in Oosthuizen’s favor as he worked behind his jab and was able to back Bryant into the ropes on different occasions.
Throughout the bout, Oosthuizen incorporated body blows between his long punches from the outside. That might have taken a toll on Bryant because his punch output slowed to a near halt by the eighth round. He saw a glimmer of success in the ninth, where he landed three hard right hands against Oosthuizen, but provided little else. Oosthuizen came into the tenth landing some serious blows of his own, stunning Bryant with a hard combination.
The twelfth and final round saw Bryant come out swinging wildly for a Hail Mary style knockout, but that didn’t come. The final scores read 118-110, 117-111, and 117-111 in favor of Oosthuizen, giving him a unanimous decision victory.
Despite being the fight of lesser profile, Sean Monaghan (14-0, 9 KO’s, 176lbs) was actually the last bout of the evening when he took on George Armenta (14-9, 11 KO’s, 174lbs). Monaghan has a large and very boisterous following in the New York City area.
The ever improving Monaghan began the fight patiently, waiting for Armenta to open up with a wide punch. The opportunity came for Monaghan, and that was when he unleashed his hard blows. Armenta continued to be aggressive early on, but it was Monaghan who was landing the more telling blows; picking the right moments to make the most of his strength. Then, as the bell for the second round rang, Monaghan landed a powerful hook that sent Armenta crashing down to the canvas. Armenta’s corner was already in the corner with their stool out, but the referee was still required to count. Monaghan came out at the start of the third round throwing hard punches that rocked Armenta, but Armenta had already regained his composure by this point. But Monaghan remained aggressive and as the round was about to close, another hook sent Armenta down flat on his back. Armenta barely beat the count, but was completely dazed. The referee called a halt to the action at the 2:25 point of the third round, giving Monaghan a TKO victory.
The popular Boyd Melson (7-1, 3 KO’s, 154lbs) and his opponent, Khalik Memminger (6-8-3, 3 KO’s), created fireworks in their six round bout. Melson dominated early on; utilizing his superior ring generalship alongside his aggressive stance. Melson has a unique style where he often points his elbows outward while staying in a low crouch. What sets Melson apart from his opponents is that he is able to always be in range for his own attacks, while staying out of his opponent’s range.
The first five rounds of the bout saw Melson in total control. He landed multiple combinations from his southpaw stance, and Memminger found it difficult to move away from Melson’s right hook. The sixth round is what bought a gasp from the crowd. Memminger timed a straight right hand perfectly as Melson came forward. Melson was on shaky legs, and Memminger stormed in hoping to score a dramatic come from behind KO. He was able to land numerous hard punches flush against Melson’s head, but Melson stayed on his feet. After some time, Melson was able to regain his senses and mount an offensive of his own. As the final bell sounded, it was Melson who had his opponent backing up. The final scores all went for Melson as the judges had it the same with scores of 59-53, giving Melson the unanimous decision victory.
Heather Hardy (119lbs) made her much anticipated professional debut against Mikayla Nebel (0-2, 117lbs). Things did not start well for her as Nebel was able to score a hard right hand early in the first round that sent Hardy down. After the knockdown, Hardy came back strong, landing multiple punches while Nebel was back against the ropes. Nebel was only able to respond with her right hand…a powerful one. The second round saw Hardy maintain control with her high work rate. Nebel still used her right as a weapon, but Hardy’s output was a difference maker in that round. The third and fourth saw Hardy stun Nebel multiple times with her constant barrage. The final scores read 38-37 on all judges’ scorecards in favor of Hardy, giving her a unanimous decision victory.
Floriano Pagliara (13-4-1, 6 KO’s, 130½lbs) faced off against Willie Villanueva (10-4-2, 2 KO’s, 130½lbs) in a bout scheduled for six rounds. Both fighters hoped to establish themselves in the first two rounds, but neither was comfortably in control. By the third round, Villanueva was the one backing away from Pagliara due to higher punch volume. Villanueva’s only response was to occasionally counter with a hard hook. It would occasionally land, but Pagliara’s chin stayed strong. Pagliara remained in control in the fourth round, working Villanueva into the ropes time and time again. At this point in the fight, Villanueva’s looping counterpunches were not able to land, as Pagliara had timed the counter attacks from his tiring foe. The fifth round saw better action out of Villanueva, but there was a whole lot of running en between any bursts of action. Pagliara responded in the sixth round by coming out aggressive, strafing Villanueva against the ropes and bloodying his nose. The bout ended to cheers and the final scores read 58-56 for Villanueva, 58-56 for Pagliara, and 57-57, ruling the fight a split draw.
Zachary Ochoa (1-0, 1 KO, 139lbs) disposed of Cody Osbourne (0-2, 139lbs) in quick fashion. All it took was one short left hook, and Osbourne was on the canvas. He beat the count, but seemed visibly shaken in the corner, and the referee stopped the bout at the: 42 second point of the first round.
Jonathan Cepeda (11-0, 10 KO’s, 161lbs) made short work of his opponent, Orphius Waite (7-4-2, 5 KO’s). Cepeda came out and landed a huge blow early that sent Waite crashing to the canvas. Waite was able to beat the count, but was on very shaky legs. Cepeda saw this and pounced on Waite. The referee was forced to stop the bout, giving Cepeda a TKO victory in the first round.
The opening bout of the evening featured Allan Benitez (6-1-0, 1KO, 136lbs) in the ring against Osnel Charles (9-3-1, 1 KO, 133lbs). Benitez was in control throughout the six round bout, utilizing his superior footwork and hand speed. Charles remained competitive, but Benitez was too much, taking a unanimous decision victory of 59-57, 59-57, and 58-56.
