BROOKLYN, NY –Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-0, 22KO) returned to the ring from a 22-month hiatus and retained his WBA World Welterweight title, defeating Josesito Lopez (36-8, 19KO) by majority decision in the main event of a PBC on FOX card in front of 9,623 fans at the Barclays Center.
The fight was anything but a breeze for the 30 year-old champion, who for the first time in his career found himself in serious danger of being stopped midway through the contest.
But in the early goings, Thurman looked sharp — his movement on point, his punches accurate. As the second round drew to a close, both fighter’s threw simultaneous left hooks. Thurman’s shorter and crisper hook, however, was the only one that reached the intended target and exploded on Lopez’s chin, sending him to the mat.
In the 4th round, the 34 year-old Lopez began finding his target a bit more, but was seemingly two Thurman punches in exchange for landing one of his own.
In the 7th, Lopez finally caught Thurman with a left hand that wobbled the champ. For the next minute-plus, Lopez cranked up the heat. The fighter they call “Riverside Rocky” stalked a wounded Thurman and time and again snapped his head back with punches thrown from all angles. Thurman was somehow able to weather the storm, however, and by the end of the round was landing return fire on Lopez.
Thurman regained his composure and control in the 8th, snuffing out any momentum Lopez hoped to build upon from the previous round.
Credit California’s Lopez, who round after round was willing to take some of Thurman’s best shots in order to try to land a big punch of his own. And make no mistake, the punches Thurman were landing would have dropped and stopped the vast majority of opponents.
At the end of the championship rounds, Jimmy Lennon, Jr. read scores of 113-113 (Don Ackerman), 115-112 (Steve Weisfeld), and 117-111 (Tom Schreck), for Thurman. The 113-113 Ackerman was controversially close. 15rounds.com scored the contest 117-110 for Thurman.
It was Thurman’s first time back between the ropes since winning the WBC middleweight title via split decision against Danny Garcia in March 2017. Since then the 30 year-old Floridian has had his right elbow surgically repaired and also suffered a left hand injury that required months to heal. Due to inactivity, Thurman was forced to vacate his WBC strap in April 2018.
Thurman has stated that he’d like two tune-up type bouts before he rumbles with the other A-side talent in the stacked welterweight division. Of course, the PBC also has champions Errol Spence, Jr. (IBF), Shawn Porter (WBC), and Manny Pacquiao (WBA interim and Thurman mandatory) under promotional contract. A less realistic future opponent for Thurman is Terence Crawford (WBO), who is under contract with Top Rank.
The veteran Lopez is now 0-3 in world title fights, having come up short against Canelo Alvarez (2012) and Andre Berto (2015). His signature win remains his against former world champion Victor Ortiz, who he retired after 9 rounds.
“He had me buzzed and shaken up in the seventh round, but I tried to stay on the outside away,” Thurman said afterward. “I was a little off in my prediction of how long his arms were. He lunged in and was really willing to commit to the knockout.”
With regards to facing his WBA mandatory challenger, Thurman said, “I would most likely definitely take the Manny Pacquiao fight this year. I feel good. That was a beautiful fight. I’m ready to fight wherever Pacquiao wants it.”
Polish Puncher Kownacki Stops Washington In 2
Polish-born Brooklyn-based heavyweight Adam Kownacki continues to thrust himself into the mix in the heavyweight division. Tonight, it took the 258.5 lb. man they call “Babyface” less than a round and a half to blast out former title challenger, Gerald Washington (19-3-1, 12KO).
The 29 year-old Kownacki came out firing from the opening bell willingly exchanging with his 6’6” counterpart. About midway through the opening round, Kownacki hurt Washington with a right for the first time. He continued his onslaught, firing away for the rest of the round, but Washington managed to survive.
In the second, Washington came out recharged, and the big Californian quickly unloaded on Kownacki, who was sporting a cut over his left eye. Once his offensive attack wish finished, however, it was Kownacki’s turn. The 6’3” Pole threw a hammer of a right hand that wobbled Washington, and he followed it up with a flurry that resulted in Washington hitting the mat hard. Washington just barely beat referee Harvey Dock’s ten count and was able to continue, only to be met just seconds later by more Kownacki fists, prompting Dock to step in and stop the fight at the 1:09 mark of round 2.
Kownacki has now fought 6 of his last 7 fights at the Barclays Center, which has become his second home. And as per usual, he again enjoyed enjoyed hometown support as hundreds of his Polish fans decked out in their country’s red and white, filled the arena.
“It’s amazing to have this support from the Polish fans,” Kownacki said post-fight. “It definitely gives me extra energy.”
Further, in his last five fights, the father-to-be has defeated opponents whose combined records tally 109-6-2. The win streak now includes victories against former title challengers Washington and Artur Szpilka, as well as former IBF Heavyweight Champion, Charles Martin, who Kownacki outpointed in September.
Washington’s only other career defeats also came via stoppage, first against WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder and later against undefeated contender Jerrell “Big Baby” Miller.
“I trained hard for this fight. I prepared for 10 hard rounds, but I’m glad I got it done and ended it as fast as I did,” Kownacki said.
He continued, “We stuck with the game plan. I’m a pressure fighter. I worked on sitting down on my punches and I proved that I have great power when I do that.”
“King Tug” One Step Closer To Title, Decisions Marrero
In just his eleventh professional fight, Tugstsgot “King Tug” Nyambayar (11-0, 9KO) inched one step closer to a championship belt, defeating veteran Dominican southpaw Claudio Marrero (23-3, 17KO) via unanimous decision in a 12-round WBC featherweight title eliminator that kicked off the nationally televised FOX portion of the card. Scores were 114-113, 115-112, and 116-11, all for the Mongolian, Nyambayar.
It wasn’t easy and it certainly wasn’t pretty, but Nyambayar, a former 2012 Olympic silver medalist grinded and countered his way past the crafty 29 year-old Dominican, Marrero.
Nyambayar, 26, had his first major success in the third round when he hurt and momentarily wobbled the former title challenger, Marrero, with a right hand. He followed this up with a brief flurry, but ultimately called off the attack when Marrero quickly regained composure.
As the fight progressed, there were times when Nyambayar was patient, but calculating. Other times, especially in the middle rounds, he was passive — too passive, letting rounds slip away.
Marrero took advantage of “King Tug’s” passiveness, especially in round 5 and 9, when he aggressively came off his stool, firing away on his almost-unsuspecting opponent.
About a minute into the tenth round, referee Benjy Esteves docked Marrero a point for landing a half-hearted right hand during a break. Shortly after, Nyambar landed a low-blow that doubled Marrero over in pain. The fight was stopped to allow Marrero time to recover and no point was deducted from Nyambayar.
Nyambayar is now in place as the mandatory challenger for Gary Russell, Jr.’s WBC Featherweight title.
“We had a really good camp so this is just me putting the pressure and pace that we worked on in camp and using it in the ring,” Nyambayar said. “This sets me up for big fights. Whatever big fights are presented to us, we’ll take it.”
Colbert Earns Hard Fought UD Against Hernandez
Brooklyn’s Chris “Lil’ BHopp” Colbert turned away his stiffest competition to date, earning an 8 round unanimous decision against Chicago’s Josh Hernandez (8-2, 7KO) in a super featherweight contest.
Considering Hernandez’s resume, 7KOs in 8 wins, Colbert fought a smart fight early on, allowing Hernandez to be the aggressor, luring him in close, and skillfully countering. Colbert was by no means reluctant to exchange with his 23 year-old counterpart, but he had no reason to do so.
But as the the rounds bore on, the 22 year-old Colbert began to tire, and his lateral movement slowed. Hernandez kept the heat on and seemingly backed Colbert against the ropes or into a corner for long stretches in each of the last 4 rounds. Hernandez would unload and Colbert would absorb. And then Colbert, who trains out of Atlas Cops & Kids in Flatbush, Brooklyn, would unload and Hernandez would absorb. But these weren’t 50/50 exchanges and Colbert consistently bested Hernandez when the two traded blows.
In the end, all three judges scored the contest widely for Colbert, 79-73.
The result marks the second career loss for Chicago’s Hernandez, who was fighting outside of Illinois for the first time in his career. His only other defeat came via stoppage against Gavino Gauman in April 2017, a loss he avenged just three months later.
“He put up a great fight,” Colbert said, giving Hernandez well-deserved credit. “Today I decided not to give the crowd a boxing lesson, I decided I wanted to show them that I can stand and fight with anybody if I choose to.”
He went on, “I have very high-quality fight and I’m getting better and better as we go. I’m looking forward to getting more opportunities.”
Russell Scores TKO2 Over Almazan
2016 US Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell (8-0, 8KO) easily disposed of Mexican-American Roberto Almazan (7-9, 2KO), scoring 3 knockdowns inside 2 rounds to earn a TKO victory.
Russell, the 22 year-old younger brother of WBC World Featherweight champion Gary Russell, Jr., threw fists fast and furious from the opening bell, smothering his 20 year-old counterpart, preventing him from mounting any counter attack.
About a minute into the bout, after a brief exchange near the blue corner, Almazon took a knee. He claimed he was pushed down, but referee Shada Murdaugh disagreed and administered a ten count.
Maryland’s Russell knocked down Almazon down twice more in the 2nd, once courtesy of left-right combo, and the second via a flurry of punches that culminated with one final right that forced Almazon to a knee for the last time. Murdaugh stopped the fight at the :59 second mark of round 2.
“I listened to my corner’s directions and they told me that the hook was going to be there when he shot his left hand,” Russell said afterward. I went to my hook position and I was ready to catch and fire.”
“This is nothing new to me” he continued. “I just try to execute what I’m told and sharpen my craft. We’re going back to the drawing board and we’ll be patient.”
Booker Gifts De Angel 10th Career Defeat via UD
In the first fight of the FS1-televised portion of the card, undefeated southpaw Chordale “The Gift” Booker (14-0, 7KO) worked hard to earn a wide 8 round unanimous decision against Colombian slugger Juan De Angel (21-10-1, 18KO) in a middleweight contest.
Booker set the range early and controlled most of the action with his jab, peppering in straight lefts with precision. As the punches added up, De Angel slowed down. Eventually in the 7th round, a Booker left uppercut dropped De Angel down to a knee. The Colombian beat the ensuing ten count and powered through the rest of the 7th and 8th rounds to hear the final bell.
In the end, all judges scored the bout widely for the 27 year-old Stamford, CT fighter: 80-71 and 79-72.
Booker now joins the likes of Austin Trout and Caleb Plant, who’ve also secured wins against De Angel. The result makes it 9 losses in 9 fights in America for the Colombian.
“I’m about to make a list of fighters that I want to face to propel me to the next level,” Booker said post-fight. “ I’m going to keep climbing and fighting better opponents. I thought I had a good performance today, but not great. I feel like I showed that I have a lot I can do in this sport.
Fulton Drops Olea Twice En Route To TKO5
Philadelphia’s Stephen Fulton (15-0, 7KO) improved his already perfect record, recording a 5th round TKO stoppage against Colombian Marlon Olea (14-4,12KO) in a featherweight bout slated for 8.
Fulton battered Olea from the onset and eventually broke through late in the 4th round when he dropped Olea to a knee courtesy of a beautifully thrown left hook. The 24 year-old Fulton picked up where he left off in the 5th and again landed a crisp left on the button that brought Olea to a knee. Referee Shada Murdaugh decided that was enough punishment and called a stop the fight at the 1:39 mark of round 5.
Olea’s winless streak on US soil continues, as he drops to 0-4. All his wins have come in his native Colombia.
Duncan TKOs Garcia-Flores In 3
Undefeated middleweight Mark Duncan (3-0, 3KO) returned to the Barclays Center for the second time in 34 days and scored a TKO3 against Daniel Garcia-Flores (0-3) in a bout scheduled for 4.
The Maryland-native Duncan, who last fought at the Barclays Center in December on the Charlo brother’s undercard, battered Garcia-Flores early and often. Punches and damage quickly accumulated and midway through the 3rd round, the ringside physician jumped up on the apron and signaled to the referee to stop the contest. The official time of the stoppage comes at the 1:15 mark of round 3.
Irby Counters His Way Past Figueroa
Maryland’s Tyrek Irby (6-0, 2KO) remained perfect, earning a 4 round unanimous decision over Jonathan Figueroa (2-2, 1KO) in a welterweight scrap.
It was a contrast of styles as the 27 year-old Connecticut fighter, Figueroa, charged for all twelve minutes, while the 25 year-old Maryland man, Irby, slickly countered his way to an easy decision. Scores read 39-37×2 and 40-36 for Irby.
Deets Stuns Wilder, KOs Him In 4th
In a shocking upset, 33 year-old veteran William Deets (7-12, 3KO) came from behind to KO Marsellos Wilder (3-1, 2KO) with just :25 seconds remaining in their 4 round cruiserweight contest.
Wilder, the 29 year-old younger brother of WBC Heavyweight Champion, Deontay Wilder, was easily outpointing his rugged counterpart, having won each of the first 3 rounds. The Alabama-native Wilder first hurt Deets with a huge left near the end of the first that put Deet’s on unsteady legs, sending him stumbling back to his corner after the bell. At various times during the next two-plus rounds it looked like Wilder could stop Deets but he never sealed the deal.
Then late in the fourth, Deets flipped the script. The Nebraskan connected with a huge left hook — a punch he’d attempted and misfired with at least ten times during the bout — and flattened Wilder. Wilder initially got to his feet during the referee’s ten count, but stumbled to the ropes where his legs failed to keep him steady. The official time of the KO came at the 2:35 mark of round 4. The result marks the first professional defeat for Wilder, whose brother was on hand to witness to bout.
Time will tell if anything changes, but as of now, Wilder’s next contest is slated to take place next month in the UK on the undercard of Chris Eubanks, Jr. v. James DeGale.
Cruz Stops Florez In 2
In the second of the non-televised swing bouts, Puerto Rican welterweight Miguel Cruz (18-1, 12KO) made quick work of his Colombian counterpart, Luis E. Florez (24-12, 20KO) blitzing him out of the ring inside 2. The official stoppage came at at the 2:21 mark of round 2. Cruz bounced back nicely from suffering his lone career defeat courtesy of Josesito Lopez last April.
Glanton Stays Perfect, TKOs Fenderson In 2
In the first of two non-televised swing bouts, Atlanta’s Brandon Glanton (8-0, 7KO) battered fellow light heavyweight Jerhed Fenderson (4-9, 2KO) en route to a second round TKO in a contest slated for 4. The official time of the stoppage came at the 2:49 mark of round 2
Teal Opens Card With A Bang
In the first of thirteen fights from the Barclays Center, Florida super middleweight Mycheal Teal (2-0, 2KO) needed :30 seconds to dispose of winless Jacob Landin (0-3) of Texas.
