San Antonio, TX—Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield, 134.5 14-0 (11KOs) of Austin, Tx fought Haskell Rhodes 134.5 Lbs 28-4-1 (13KOs) fighting out of Las Vegas, NV. The pressure of headlining a major card did not have a negative effect on the young prospect he even braced it during the match. As this was a last minute change due to Vergil Ortiz having to withdraw by fainting Thursday. While it was not what the fights wanted when booking their trip, he gave the fans a show that almost forget it was a Vergil fight card. Dealing with the affect of homelessness one can say it helped him take on big adversities head on with out hesitation and welcome any new challenges.
In what looked to be a quick fight as Schofield was out classing rhodes in the first 2 rounds snapping his head back with powerful jabs, and being poised not leaving himself open for a counter punch. Then the fight evened out as Rhodes started to garner some energy taking Schofields shots and giving him some as well. That all changed once the 7th round came as Floyd at the half way point of the round floored Rhodes with a short left hook to the face beating the 10 count Rhodes got up and regrouped but it short lived as he was knocked down again by a barrage of punches with 56 second left in the round. Looking to close out the schofield was in fifth gear in the 8th attacking and getting the 3rd knock down of the fight. With a uppercut to the body that had a delay getting Rhodes to the mat, similar to a liver shot would take. Dangerously having the count reach 8 almost 9 this time, none the less Rhodes did get up and continue to make it out of the round. In the 9th round schofield was cut under his left eye but not from a punch rather a brutal headbutt opening a huge gash.
Before the start of the last round(10th) the referee took Schofield to see the ring side doctor in which he said the fight can continue, Floyd used the crowds energy to electrify his performance to closed out the night. With all 3 Judges and everyone in the AT&T Center seeing it 100-87 unanimous decision in favor of “Kid Austin”. When asked about the headbutt he stated “its boxing you have to face adversity” and then called out 2020 silver medalist Keyshawn Davis 8-0 (6KOs) “send the contract and stop playing”. In the post fight conference Schofield again followed up calling out Davis, how ever his co-promoter Bernard Hopkins had another idea by putting it out there that he should Jojo Diaz next.
Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. 141.5 Lbs 32-4-1 (32KOs) the pride South El Monte CA faced Jerry Perez 138Lbs 14-2-1 (11KOs) Harbor City, CA
JOJO looked re focused as he stated in the weigh ins. Even though Jojo he missed weight From the first round he was sharp and used his ring experience to his advantage. Staying to get what he needed then backing out not letting Jerry the chance to offer what he had. Perez did not back down as JoJo was giving him some hard shots. As the fight continued Perez gained some traction and he and JoJo went back and forth giving the fans a performance to talk about. In the 5th round Diaz look to have stunned Perez with a left hook to the side of the head. Followed by a combination to the head of Perez in which he took the hits well. The fights entirety was a fight that fans can enjoy with both fighters going at it and not backing down. JoJo came out the winner and rightfully so, earning a unanimous decision judges Alvarez and Robles scoring it 97-93 and Ciaz having it 98-92. In post fight conference Diaz stated that he felt Great physically and mentally, wants to be a good role model for the younger generation. JoJo did look refocused in the ring tonight as he utilized his experience and boxing skills and called out the names of William Zepeda 28-0 24KOs in which he lost by unanimous decision, Shakur Stevenson, and another revenge match with Mercito Gesta 34-3-3 17KOs who he lost by Majority Decision in March of this year.
Marlén Esparza 111.5 13-1 (1KO) Houston, TX vs Gabriela Alaniz 14-0 (6KOs) fighting out of Buenos Aries, ARG in this Fly weight fight for the unified title from the first bell rang both fighters came out swinging and had the interest of the crowd. ‘La Chucky’ landed a few more and cause Esparza to bleed from her left eye. In what could be the flight of the night it was all action with Gabriela’s relentless straight forward attack and Marlens counter punches. As the fight went on each fighter proved they were ready give it their all and leave it in the ring. In the weigh in Marlén stated that “La Chucky is just a name of a doll and is not scared” which she proved standing and exchanging blows. Gabriela stated that she is “excited and wants to win”. Both of these women are giving the fans what they were selling. In a phone booth type fight it went the distance with Espraza edging Alaniz by Majority Decison 95-95, 99-91, 97-93 on the 3 judges score cards. With the disapproval from the crowd who thought “La Chucky” Alaniz won the fight getting boos from her home state fans.
Eric Tudor 155.5 8-0 (6KOs) of Fort Lauderdale FL took on Reggie Harris Jr 162.5 7-3 (3KOs) what a way to start the broadcast with a quick knock down as Tudor sends Harris jr to the mat with a monstrous right hook to the head. The action continued to the 3rd with both fighters exchanging punch leading up to Harris losing his mouth guard.
Harris had the better forth by stunning Tudor and sending him to the ropes, trying to capitalize on it, Harris rush but was met with better defense. Not landing any clear shots Tudor recovered and even starting to tease Harris by patting his head, before again knocking his mouth guard out.
Harris took advantage of how low tudors kept his left hand through out the fight especially in the 7th round. However Eric seemed to still be in control stunning Reggie with a left and rights to the head but what did most damage was a left to his ear is what made Harris wobble. Tudor closed out the bout earning a hard fought win by Unanimous decision 77-74 on one of the judges and with the other two scoring the bout 78-73. In the post fight conference Tudor told reporters that the weight advantage played a role and he made the mistake of making the fight harder than it should have been. He looks to continue to develop through the remaining of the year and wants to keep active.
Tristan “Sweet T” Kalkreuth 10-1 7(KOs) Duncanville, TX took on “Mighty” Joe Jones 13-8 (10KOs) of Jersey City, NJ 2nd fight on the Schofield VS Rhodes undercard. Sweet T made his 12th pro fight look too sweet. Utilizing his right hand to dominate the fight knocking down Jones 2 times in the 2nd round almost not making the count each time, taking full advantage of the 8 count. The 3rd and final knock down was was enough for Sweet T to end the fight. The official time was 2:12 of the 2nd by Knock out.
In a Dynamite opening attraction, Darius Fulghum 176.5LBS 5-0 (5Kos) of Houston TX lived up to his nickname “TNT” taking out Jeremiah Curtright 178.5LBS 2-1 (2Kos) of ST. Charles MO by TKO. The referee stopped the bout in the 3rd at the 2:17 mark. Since the 1st round Darius used his boxing skills to penetrate Jeremiah Curtrights High and tight defense. Knocking Jeremiah mouth piece twice before the round ended. In the 2nd it was more of the same Darius was getting through the guard using upper cuts, TNT took a clean right but it did not faze him. Curtright was worn out by the end of the round stopping and taking some deep breathes and then leaning on the ropes before sitting. Knowing his opponent was tired Fulghum took advantage and came out to end the fight Knocking down Jeremiah twice with right hooks to the head. Using a combination of body shots and uppercuts the referee came in to stop the bout earning him his 6th victory and with 6 Kos.
