Austin Williams won a 12-round unanimous decision over Patrice Volny at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Williams, 160 lbs of Houston won by scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 115-113 and is now 18-1. Volny of Montreal is 19-2.

Edgar Berlanga stopped Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz in the opening round of their 10-round super middleweight bout.

In round one, Berlanga dropped Ortiz with a left hook on the chin. Seconds later, it was a crushing right that slumped Ortiz down again. Ortiz continued, all be it for just a few seconds as Berlanga landed a hard right that buckled Ortiz to the ropes and the fight was stopped at 2:31.

Berlanga, 169 1/2 lbs of Brooklyn, NY was a pound and a half over the mandated weight, was making his first appearance since his spirited loss to Canelo Alvarez and is now 23-1 with 18 knockouts. Gonzalez-Ortiz, 167 1/2 lbs of Puerto Rico is 20-1-1.

2024 Olympic Bronze Medal winner Amari Jones made a successful pro debut with a second round stoppage of Alessio Mastronunzio in a six-round junior middleweight bout.

In round one, Jones battered Mastrnunzio to the point that he opened up a cut over the right eye. Jones came up and landed five fights to the face and the fight was stopped at 22 seconds.

Jones, 149 1/2 lbs of Orlando is 1-0 with one knockout. Mastronunio, 152 1/4 lbs of Ardea Lassio, ITA is 13-7.

Former world title challenger Jamaine Ortiz won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yomar Alamo in a junior welterweight bout.

Ortiz had swelling on the right side of his face in the opening round.

Ortiz, 140 lbs of Worcester, MA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92 and is now 19-2-1. Alamo, 139 1/2 lbs of Aguas Buenas, PR is 22-4-1.

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – Middleweight prospect Amari Jones moved into the main event spotlight in commanding fashion before his hometown supporters with a third-round stoppage of veteran journeyman Daniel Echeverria to conclude a nine-bout card at the Oakland Marriott City Center on Saturday night.  

From the opening bell, it was fairly clear Echeverria (21-13, 18 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico would be fighting up an insurmountable hill for as long as the bout lasted. Jones (13-0, 12 KOs) of Oakland, fighting for the second time in four months, may have held back on the gas in the opening rounds to ensure his friends and family had enough time to take some photos and enjoy themselves before he sent them to the exits with a smile. 

The Oakland-born Jones, 160, took his main event position seriously, adding to the spectacle of the night as he was led to the ring with a walkout performance by Vallejo hip hop artist DaBoii, before zeroing-in on his opponent Echeverria, 161.5. 

After feeling out his southpaw opponent for the first half of round one, Jones opted to join Echeverria in the unorthodox stance and landed a left that had the Mexican fighter looking to clinch late in the round. Jones then switched back to orthodox to finish the first, landing with a clean overhand right to conclude the first three minutes. 

With Jones back in the orthodox stance to begin round two, Echeverria got his courage up and had a brief moment of aggression, leading in with a left. Jones saw the opening and landed a left to the body that dropped the southpaw to the seat of his pants. Echeverria rose quickly, appealing to referee Dan Stell that it was their leg entanglement that caused him to lose his footing. Despite the protest, Stell continued his mandatory eight count before action resumed. 

Early in the third, Echeverria went down to his knee on his own volition, before returning upright to take some unprotected head shots. The combination of unsteady legs and lack of defense appeared to bring the referee into the nearby, looking-for-a-reason to stop the fight position. When Jones obliged by landing a chopping left to down Echeverria to all fours, referee Stell immediately waved off the bout, despite further protest from the overmatched journeyman. Official time was 1:39 of the third. 

With the victory, Jones, who looked untouched after the bout, maintains his position on the upcoming “Thunder Showdown” card set for September 21st at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. With the strong turnout on Saturday, hope for an Oakland return looks probable in the near future. Saturday’s event, promoted by Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions and Upper Cut Promotions, marked the first pro boxing event held in Oakland since 2018. 

In the last appetizer before the main event, “Sugar” Suray Mahmutovic (7-1-1, 6 KOs) of Daly City, California worked off the rust of a fifteen month layoff, scoring a six-round unanimous decision over a tentative Anthony Hollaway (7-7-3, 6 KOs) of Peoria, Illinois. 

In what had the potential to be an entertaining and competitive match on paper, neither Mahmutovic, 177.1, nor Hollaway, 178, looked eager to make the fight. After three rounds, Mahmutovic picked up the pace a bit in round four, finding Hollaway with more regularity with clean punches. Despite their knockout-heavy records, neither fighter looked eager to add a seventh stoppage to their six career kayo tally.  

After six completed rounds, judge Rey Danseco scored the bout a shutout for Mahmutovic, 60-54, while judges Kermit Bayliss and Brian Tsukamoto both had it 59-55. 

In perhaps a tougher assignment than expected, super featherweight prospect Gabriel Garcia (11-0, 6 KOs) of Antioch, California moved past a game road warrior in Giovanni Gutierrez (11-10-1, 6 KOs of Tipitapa, Managua, Nicaragua by six-round unanimous decision. 

The bout would end up including point deductions from both fighters, after many more warnings to each for various infractions, including low blows and hitting behind the head. Despite his opponent’s less than stellar physique, Garcia, 129.1, did not opt for a concentrated body attack that may have slowed the well-traveled Gutierrez, 129. 

Prior to the point deductions, Garcia landed a short right in close at the ten second warning of round four that dropped Gutierrez, who debated with referee Dan Stell that an entanglement caused him to lose his footing and not a punch. After the bell, Gutierrez, who was in a full sprint, swung wildly and missed with what would have been a blatant late punch, but served as a precursor to the later deductions. 

After the rough-and-tumble bout, all three judges scored the contest for Garcia, despite not agreeing on the scoring itself. Judge Rey Danseco had it 56-53, judge Brian Tsukamoto scored it 57-54 and Kermit Bayliss turned in what was a shutout after one point deduction, 59-52. 

Stanford University student Dante Kirkman (2-0) of Palo Alto, California pressed journeyman Miguel Soto-Garcia (1-4) of Fresno by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico over four-rounds en route to a one-sided unanimous decision victory.

Kirkman, 153, was clearly the more technically sound and athletically gifted fighter, but Soto-Garcia, 152.5, knew how to tie up when he found himself in any trouble. Down the stretch, Kirkman went into full headhunter mode, when some well-placed body work may have made his night easier.  

In the end, all three judges were in agreement on the shutout victory for Kirkman as Brian Tsukamoto, Rey Danseco and Kermit Bayliss all had it 40-36. 

In his professional debut, Marcos Antonio Perez (1-0) of Brentwood, California battled his way to a four-round unanimous decision over Ebert Diaz (1-2-1, 1 KO) of Richmond, California in a thrilling back-and-forth affair.

Perez, 144, and Diaz, 143.5, opted to stay in the pocket and trade, much to the delight of the crowd on hand. Despite landing maybe the most telling blow in the bout, a right that rocked Perez early in the third, Diaz was shutout on the card of Brian Tsukamoto, while judges Kermit Bayliss and Rey Danseco both had it 39-37, all for Perez.

Alton Wiggins (1-1) of Modesto, California scored a workmanlike four-round majority decision over late replacement opponent Henry Rivera (2-8, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wiggins, 158.2, and the Oakland-born Rivera, 158.2, traded on fairly even terms over the course of the four rounds, but judges Brian Tsukamoto and Rey Danseco both had it a shutout, 40-36 for Wiggins. Judge Kermit Bayliss was the lone dissenting scorer, scoring the bout even 38-38.

Making his long-awaited debut, former amateur standout Kyle Lacanlale (1-0, 1 KO) of San Ramon, California steamrolled Michael Hernandez (0-4) of Banning, California on his way to a first-round stoppage.

Lacanlale, 126.5, quickly hurt Hernandez, 122.5, with one of the first combinations he threw. When Lacanlale eventually dropped Hernandez near the blue corner, referee Kru Michael Rinaldi began a count, before eventually waving off the bout at 1:00 of round one.

In his professional debut, Braulio Ceja Navarro (1-0, 1 KO) of Concord, California forced his will on a game Jaycee King (0-2) of Sacramento, California en route scoring a third-round stoppage.

Ceja Navarro, 132, landed a short right hand late in round one that dropped King, 132, near a neutral corner. Ceja Navarro rocked King again with a combination before the bell sounded to end the first. Ceja Navarro continued the pressure and rocked King again midway through the second round.

By the start of the third, referee Dan Stell was taking a closer look. When Ceja Navarro uncorked a combination early in the round, referee Dan Stell had seen enough. King was stopped standing at :32 of round three. 

In the opening bout, Tony Hirsch Jr. (4-0-2, 3 KOs) of Oakland earned a hard-fought four-round unanimous decision over a determined David Reyes Jr. (3-2-1, 2 KOs) of Fresno, California.

Hirsch, 138.5, was successful controlling the distance and catching the onrushing Reyes, 138.5, on the way inside. Every round featured two-way action, but Hirsch was more adept defensively on the inside.

Judges Brian Tsukamoto, Kermit Bayliss and Rey Danseco all scored the bout 39-37 for Hirsch, who made good in his hometown debut. 

Upper Cut Promotions, co-promoter of Saturday’s event along with Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions, hosts their next event on Saturday, September 21st at the Venue at Thunder Valley, a brand new event space at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. Tickets for the event are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected] 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – Once one of the greatest sporting towns in all of the country, in just over a month’s time, “The Town” will no longer field a team in any of the three major sports leagues. All three Oakland franchises, world champions many times over, have left a void on the green pages of the local newspaper and in the hearts of many local sports fans. Once upon a time, professional boxing served as perhaps the fourth major sport in town. This Saturday night at the Oakland Marriott City Center, well-regarded middleweight prospect Amari Jones, Oakland-born, aims to take his first steps in rebranding his hometown as a fight town when he takes on veteran Daniel Echeverria in the eight-round main event of “Showdown in the Town.” 

As late as the 1960’s, monthly pro boxing events were held in either the Oakland Coliseum or Oakland Auditorium. When Andre Ward made his Oakland debut as a professional by claiming his first world championship over Mikkel Kessler in November 2009, it began a nine-year run of big time fights in town, making the former Olympic gold medalist essentially the fourth major sporting franchise across the bridge from San Francisco. Since Ward’s last hometown card in 2016, just one event has been held in Oakland, taking place in 2018.

Should Saturday’s event be a success, promoters will surely look to bring the sweet science back to prominence in the region. Much of that, however, will hinge on Jones; how he draws and how he performs. Thus far, Jones has performed at every turn, garnering praise from many fight prognosticators both locally and nationally. 

Jones (12-0, 11 KOs) was last seen making his New York debut in April, stopping previously once-beaten Armel Mbumba-Yassa in the sixth-round while winning every round on the cards to that point in the fight. Last December, Jones, who trains out of the Lion’s Den Boxing Gym in Pittsburg, made his Bay Area debut with a dominant fifth-round kayo of rugged Quilisto Madera at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Jones was the first to the scale on Friday afternoon, scaling 160-pounds even.

Attempting to spoil the homecoming party will be veteran Daniel Echeverria (21-12, 18 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. “Tocado” has been fighting professionally since 2012, debuting as a junior welterweight before gradually moving up the scale over the following twelve years. Notable names on his resume include Jorge Paez Jr., Carlos Ocampo and Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Echevarria came up short in those step-up bouts. The Mexican native also came up short when it came to making the contracted 161-pounds on Friday. After scaling one-half-of-a-pound over, Echeverria made a brief attempt at dropping the extra weight, but soon opted for the fine instead. 

In the co-main event, Gabriel Garcia (10-0, 6 KOs) of Antioch, California will take on Giovanni Gutierrez (11-9-1, 6 KOs of Tipitapa, Managua, Nicaragua in a six-round super featherweight bout. Garcia, a Lion’s Den gym mate of Jones, made the move to fighting in the United States last year, after beginning his pro run in Mexico, with two six-round decisions in California and Nevada respectively. Gutierrez has struggled since making his move to campaigning in the United States, while also being matched against undefeated fighters in six of his last seven contests. Garcia scaled 129.1-pounds, while Gutierrez made 129-even. 

In an intriguing six-round light heavyweight bout, “Sugar” Suray Mahmutovic (6-1-1, 6 KOs) of Daly City, California returns to the ring after a year away to take on veteran puncher Anthony Hollaway (7-6-3, 6 KOs) of Peoria, Illinois. Mahmutovic is looking to rebound from his only defeat, a hard-fought majority decision loss to then-unbeaten prospect Sonny McEwen in May of last year. McEwen is a then-unbeaten prospect because he ran into Hollaway this past March. In a rematch of a January 2023 bout in which Hollaway dropped McEwen, but settled for a six-round unanimous defeat, the Peoria fighter stopped McEwen in under two rounds. Mahmutovic weighed in at 177.1-pounds, while Hollaway made 178-even. 

In a four-round junior welterweight bout that may rival the Mahmutovic-Hollaway clash for fight of the night honors when the night is over, Tony Hirsch Jr. (3-0-2, 3 KOs) of Oakland will take on rugged David Reyes Jr. (3-1-1, 2 KOs) of Fresno, California. Hirsch, son of longtime middleweight spoiler Tony Hirsch, will be fighting at home for the first time as a professional. Reyes, a tough choice opponent for a hometown debut, has gone unbeaten since a close defeat to Pedro Angel Cruz in his first pro fight in May of last year. Hirsch and Reyes weighed-in identically at 138.5-pounds.  

Making his highly anticipated professional debut, Concord, California’s Braulio Ceja Navarro will meet Jaycee King (0-1) of Sacramento, California in a four-round lightweight bout. The 19-year-old Navarro, fighting out of the Lion’s Den Boxing Gym, weighed-in at 132-pounds. King, who just turned professional on August 1st, dropping a decision to Dorrel Fore Jr., also made 132-pounds on the nose. 

In another long awaited pro debut, Kyle Lacanlale of San Ramon, California will take on Michael Hernandez (0-3) of Banning, California in a four-round featherweight bout. Lacanlale, who now has former world middleweight champion James Page joining his father Lyndon Lacanlale in training him, made 126.5-pounds. Hernandez, yet to see the final bell as a pro, scaled 122.5-pounds. 

Alton Wiggins (0-1) of Modesto, California will take on replacement opponent Henry Rivera (2-7, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a four-round middleweight bout. Wiggins, born town over in Berkeley, and the Oakland-born Rivera, both scaled 158.2-pounds on Friday afternoon. 

Making his much looked-forward-to professional debut, tattoo artist and former California Golden Gloves champion Marcos Antonio Perez of Brentwood, California takes on tough assignment Ebert Diaz (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Richmond, California in what should be an entertaining four-round welterweight fight. The Oakland-born Perez, also known as “Smokey P,” weighed-in at 144-pounds. Diaz, a frequent sparring partner of lightweight prospect Manuel Jaimes, made 143.5-pounds. 

Stanford University student and undefeated boxer Dante Kirkman (1-0) of Palo Alto, California takes on unorthodox Miguel Soto-Garcia (1-3) of Fresno by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a four-round light middleweight bout. Kirkman, a decorated former amateur trained by the well-respected Eddie Croft, came in at 153-pounds. Soto-Garcia, up ten pounds from his last bout just 28 days ago, scaled 152.5-pounds on Friday. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Middleweights, 8 Rounds

Jones 160

Echeverria 161.5*

Super featherweights, 6 Rounds

Garcia 129.1

Gutierrez 129

Light heavyweights, 6 Rounds

Mahmutovic 177.1

Hollaway 178

Light welterweights, 4 Rounds

Hirsch Jr. 138.5

Reyes Jr. 138.5

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Ceja Navarro 132

King 132

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Lacanlale 126.5

Hernandez 122.5

Welterweights, 4 Rounds

Wiggins 158.2

Rivera 158.2

Welterweights, 4 Rounds

Perez 144

Diaz 143.5

Light middleweights, 4 Rounds

Kirkman 153

Soto-Garcia 152.5

*Echeverria .5 pounds over contracted weight. After brief attempt at shedding excess, opted for a fine instead. 

Tickets for the event, promoted by Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions and Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com or at the door on Saturday night. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected] 

BROOKLYN, NY–Ryan Garcia scored the biggest win of his career as he sent Devin Haney to the canvas three times en-route to a 12-round split decision at Barclays Center.

Round one saw Garcia get off to a fast start as he landed some hard left hooks and backed Haney up. One particular left hook buckled Haney. Haney had a solid round three as he was good with the jab and landed a left hook that sent Garcia back.

The fight turned in round seven when Garcia landed a left hook that deposited Haney on the canvas. Garcia was deduced a point for hitting on the break. Garcia was relentless and hurt Haney several more times in what was a tumultuous round for Haney. In round 10, Garcia dropped Haney for a second time when he lanced a perfect three punch combination in the corner. Later in the round, Garcia hurt Haney again with a perfect left hook to the head. Garcia dropped Haney for a third time with another perfect left hook to the chin.

Garcia landed 106 of 285 punches. Haney was 87 of 214.

Garcia, 143.4 lbs of Victorville, CA won by scores of 115-109 and 114-110. Once card was even at 112-112.

Garcia is now 25-1. Haney, 140 lbs of Las Vegas is 31-1.

“I shouldn’t have put too much pressure on myself to stop him, because every time I hurt him, I went crazy and I couldn’t stop him,” said Ryan Garcia. “I think the ref should’ve stopped the fight. He (Haney) was really hurt. I felt bad, I even looked at Bill to stop the fight. [Regarding the point being deducted in seventh round] The guy was holding me for dear life, and I felt the opportunity to keep swinging while my hands were free. I should’ve knocked him out that seventh round. They stole that from me. I’m surprised he has so much heart and recovery. He got wobbled bad in the first round. I thought it was over. He even hurt me with a hook. At the end of the day, I’m going to fight him, win or lose.” 

“Ryan just shocked the world and proved once and for all that he is the face of boxing and a pound-for-pound athlete in our sport,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “Despite all of the talk from armchair psychologists and so-called boxing pundits, Ryan clearly had a plan and executed it.” 

Barboza Decisions McComb

Arnold Barboza Jr. remained undefeated with a 10-round split decision over Sean McComb in a super lightweight bout.

Barboza landed 99 of 443 punches. McComb was 107 of 488.

Barboza, 139.4 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 96-94 and 97-93 while McComb took a card 98-92.

Barboza is now 30-0. McComb, 139.4 lbs of Belfast, IRE is 19-2.

“I felt good. It was a very tricky fight,” said Arnold Barboza Jr., “He was a lefty, tall and he moved a lot. He gave me a lot of trouble, but it was a learning experience. I’ll be back better. We’re going to talk to Oscar and see what’s next.” 

Melikuziev wins Technical Decision over Dibombe

Bektemir Melikuziev won a technical decision over previously undefeated Pierre Dimbombe when cuts from both fighters forced a stoppage.

In round two, Dibombe was cut badly over his right eye from an accidental headbutt. In round five, Melikuziev dropped Dibombe with a straight left. Later in the round , another headbutt caused a nasty cut on Melikeziev’s left eyelid.

The bout was stopped in round eight due to the cut on Dibombe’s right eye.

Melikuziev was 80 of 276 punches. Dibombe was 58 if 237.

Melikuziev, 167.8 lbs of Uzbekistan won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 14-1. Dibombe, 166.6 lbs of Nantes, FRA is 22-1-1.

“He was a good opponent. Unfortunately, the fight was stopped,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “During the fight he kept coming forward with his head. There was nothing I could do. I just needed another minute or two in the ring to finish the fight. I slowed down a bit because I felt that my opponent was getting tired.” 

Daniel Jimenez Decisions John Ramirez

Daniel Jimenez upset John Ramirez via 12-round unanimous decision in a super flyweight bout.

In round 12, Ramirez was bleeding over his right eye.

Jimenez landed 191 of 722 pages. Ramirez was 142 of 531.

Jimenez, 114.8 lbs of Catagro, CR won by scores of 117-111 twice and 116-112 and is now 16-1. Ramirez, 114.2 lbs was ranked number-one by the WBA and had a title shot lined up for later in the summer, but that seems to have gone by the wayside and is now 13-1.

“I am very happy to become a champion again. I want to thank Golden Boy for the opportunity,” said David Jimenez. “I am ready to plan for what’s next. I felt great in the ring, and I felt like I was controlling the fight from the second round. Scrappy has a good punch and is a good boxer. Like all fighters, I want to become undisputed.”

Conwell Stops Gallimore in 6

World-Ranked Charles Conwell stopped Nathaniel Gallimore in round six of scheduled 10-round super welterweight bout.

In round five, Conwell opened up a huge flurry that backed Gallimore up. Conwell continued to batter Gallimore until the fight was stopped at 56 seconds.

Conwell, 153 lbs of Cleveland is 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Gallimore, 153 lbs of Des Plaines, IL is 22-8-1.

“I feel good,” said Charles Conwell. “It was the coming back party. I thought he was a tough-game fighter. He came with a lot of experience, but I did what no other fighter has done. I stopped him in the sixth round. I don’t think any other fighter has beat him as bad as I did. He was a tough fighter and I appreciate him for taking the fight. We’re looking to get back in the ring asap, sometime in July or August. I’m back in the gym getting better. The ring rust is off. We’re ready for what’s next.” 

Former three-time world title challenger Sergiy Dereyvyanchenko won a 10-round unanimous decision over Vaughn Alexander in a super middleweight bout.

Derevyancenko dropped Alexander with a body shot in round eight.

Derevyanchenko, 167.4 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 100-89 on all cards and is now 15-5. Alexander, 167.4 lbs of Saint Louis is 18-11-1.

Darius Fulgham stopped Cristian Olivas in round four of a scheduled eight-round super middleweight fight.

The time of the stoppage was 50 seconds of round four for Fulgham, 167.4 lbs of Houston, TX is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Olivas,

Jonathan Canas won a four-round unanimous decision over Markus Bowes in a super lightweight bout.

Canas, 137.6 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by 40-36 sores on all cards and is now 4-0. Bowes, 140 lbs of Roxboro, NC is 2-6.

Amari Jones stopped Armei Mbumba-Yassa om round six of a scheduled eight-round super lightweight bout.

Jones dropped Mbumna-Yassa in rounds one and six. Jones ended the fight with a flurry and the bout was stopped at 39 seconds.

Jones, 159.2 lbs of Las Vegas is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Mbumba-Yassa, 160.4 lbs Remscheild, GER is 10-2.

Kevin Newman II scored a fourth round stoppage over Eric Robles in a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight bout.

Newman dropped Robles in round four and the bout was stopped at 1:53.

Newman, 173.4 lbs of Las Vegas is now 16-3-1. Robles, 177.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 9-4.

Pedro Bogarro drooped Shamar Canal in the second round en-route to a six-round unanimous decision in a super lightweight bout.

Bogaro, 135.8 lbs of Sonora, MEX won by scores of 60-53 on all cards ans is now 8-1. Canal. 135 lbs of Albany, NY is 7-1.

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA  — The former unified lightweight champion Devin Haney impressed in his 140-pound debut, issuing Regis Prograis the most one-sided defeat of his career en route to claiming the WBC light welterweight title before his hometown crowd.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada was just too much of everything for Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) of Houston, Texas by way of New Orleans, Louisiana over the twelve rounds.

After a feeling out opening stanza, the fight was all Haney. In the second round, Haney, 140, began to find the angles he needed to land, which he did with one right uppercut in particular.

Early in the third, Haney scored a knockdown with a lead right over the top of Prograis’ guard.

Prograis, 139, came out for the fourth on steady legs, but the challenger continued to give him a boxing lesson as the fight wore on. Haney landed a crisp one-two combination to punctuate the fourth round.

Haney continued to blister Prograis with combinations in the fifth round, while also putting some money in the bank via a body attack.

The one-two worked again for Haney as he rocked Prograis back on his heels with less than a minute to go in the sixth.

The pace slowed in the seventh, with Prograis was unwilling to let his hands go. The referee and the ringside doctor took a long look in the Prograis’ corner prior to the eighth.

Haney led the action in the eighth and ninth, but with less and less to counter, the Bay Area native was content to box and move. With a minute to go in the ninth, Prograis over extended himself with a left and Haney made him pay with a clubbing right that excited the crowd.

Haney seemed satisfied sending the bout to the cards as he exhibited some flashy defense in the championship rounds, but never pressed for the stoppage as he outboxed Prograis from bell-to-bell.

In the end, all three judges scored the shutout for Haney, 120-107. The question now is where does Haney go next. 140-pounds is one of the deepest divisions in boxing, but the Haneys have already floated designs on the welterweight division. Promoter Eddie Hearn floated the name of Ryan Garcia after the bout, but that seems like an unlikely prospect.

In the final appetizer before the main event, WBO #11 ranked light welterweight Liam Paro scored two knockdowns early in the sixth en route to stopping Montana Love midway through the round.

Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio fought on even terms early in the fight. There was not much to distinguish the two as the boo birds derided the lack of early action. 

Things heated up a bit more late in the fifth, but it was the sixth where the fight took a quick turn. Paro, 140, landed clean with a left uppercut that sent Love, 140, to the seat of his pants for the first knockdown. 

When action resumed, Paro moved in aggressively, eventually landing a straight left that sent Love down for a second time. Love made it to his feet, but when Paro forced him into a neutral corner with a flurry, Love covered up for too long for referee Thomas Taylor’s liking. The referee stopped the fight at 1:49 of round six.

With the win, Paro, who had a scheduled title bout against Regis Prograis slip between his fingers due to injury earlier this year, claimed the vacant regional WBO Intercontinental 140-pound title.

Cruz Takes out Straffon in 3

Fast-rising lightweight prospect Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba completely steamrolled normally durable Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico en route to a third-round stoppage. 

Cruz, 134.4, let loose with both hands from the opening bell. It was all Straffon, 134, could do to weather the onslaught. The second round was especially one-sided, as Cruz straffed Straffon with everything in his arsenal.

Early in the third round, Cruz pressed Straffon into a neutral corner, landing clean with both hands. Having seen enough of the mismatch, referee Edward Collantes leaped in to stop the bout at :53 of the third round. 

With the win, Cruz successfully defended his IBF International lightweight title and claimed the vacant WBA Continental Latin America lightweight title. 

Yoshida Upsets Bridges to Claim Bantamweight Title

Coming in on short notice, Miyo Yoshida (17-4) of New York, New York by way of Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan upset media darling Ebanie Bridges (9-2, 4 KOs) of New South Wales, Australia to claim the IBF bantamweight championship by ten-round unanimous decision. 

Yoshida, 117.6, was in the face of the champion Bridges, 117.8, from the get-go and never took a backward step. Yoshida, despite having campaigned mainly in the 115-pound super flyweight division throughout her career, looked like the bigger fighter and landed the harder shots.

Bridges, fighting for the first time in a year with a surgically-repaired right hand,  never was able to force Yoshida into any sort of retreat and ate the more eye-catching shots as they exchanged throughout a fight fought completely on the inside. 

Yoshida, who entered the ring as the IBF #10 ranked bantamweight and had fought just one month ago in a losing effort to Shurretta Metcalf, closed out the fight strong and raised her hands in celebration as the final bell rang. In the end, all three judges scored the fight wide for Yoshida by scores of 97-93 and 99-91 twice

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones (11-0, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Oakland, California was impressive in his Bay Area homecoming as he stopped tough veteran Quilisto Madera (14-5, 9 KOs) of Stockton, California in the fifth-round. 

Jones, 159.2 controlled Madera, 160, in the opening round with his jab. As the fight progressed into round three, Jones’ right hand came more into play and became the dominant punch of the fight. 

The end of round four got Jones’ home crowd excited as a right hand snapped Madera’s head back against the turnbuckle and set off an exchange along the ropes. 

Jones picked right up where he left off early in the fifth. With Jones landing clean, two-handed combinations as Madera backed against the ropes, referee Thomas Taylor leaped in to stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:44 of the fifth round. 

Beatriz Ferreira (4-0, 2 KOs) of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil saw her own blood for the first time as a professional en route to an eight-round stoppage of a game Destiny Jones (5-2, 2 KOs) of Austin, Texas.

Ferreira, 130, found a willing opponent in Jones, 129.8, who had her moments throughout the bout. Ferreira is just a fearless punching machine and Jones had to work hard to keep pace. Twice Ferreira knocked Jones’ mouthpiece out, once with a right late in the second and again in the fourth.

After Jones drew blood with an accidental elbow late in round four, Ferreira seemed more determined to go for the stoppage as the fight progressed. Ferreira eventually landed with a sweeping left hook with seconds to go in round seven that dropped Jones, who was leaning that way.

At the beginning of round eight, Jones did not react well when asked to touch gloves and referee Edward Collantes asked the doctor for a look. On the advice of the doctor, Collantes stopped the bout. Official time of stoppage was :05 of round eight.

In the opening bout, Shamar Canal (7-0, 4 KOs) of Albany, New York continued his rise with a dominant six-round unanimous decision over veteran Jose Antonio Meza (8-9, 2 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. 

Canal, 132, had too many dimensions for the durable Meza. After comfortably outboxing Meza, 131.8, over the early rounds, Canal pressed on the gas in the last two and finally broke through with a straight right that dropped the Mexican native late in the sixth. All three judges were in agreement on the shutout, 60-53.

LAS VEGAS –If this was chess, TheGrandMaster got robbed.

That at least, was the verdict from an angry crowd that booed a unanimous decision handed down by three judges in favor of Devin Haney over Vasiliy Lomachenko Saturday night in a contentious pay-per-view fight for the undisputed title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The chants of Loma, Loma quickly turned to boos when the scorecards were announced. It was 115-113, 116-112, 115-113, all for Haney. On the 15 Rounds card, it was 116-112 for Lomachenko. 

The outrage reflects what was a tough fight to score. It also proved that boxing isn’t chess. It’s subjective. 

Checkmate only happens on a game board. 

On the canvas, just about anything can happen.

And it  did throughout Haney-Lomachenko in a bout that included more subtle twists and turns than anything wild. To wit: There were no decisive knockdowns. There was just a lot of footwork and counters.

In the beginning the subtlety seemed to belong to Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs), who appeared to dictate pace while landing purposeful jabs. Early on, it looked as if Haney (30-0, 15 KOs)  was confused. Slowly and subtly, however, the momentum appeared to shift, slowly towards Haney, who seemed to control the center of the ring with superior size and strength. He was beginning to land body punches.

From their ringside seats, the judges saw what fans in the upper deck didn’t. Haney was scoring, but not enough to convince those fans or Lomachenko.

“I don’t want to talk about [the decision].” Lomachenko said. “All the people saw what happened today. I think I showed that I can still be in boxing. I’m in good shape now. And see you next time.”

“I can’t talk about this right now. It’s not a comfortable moment for me. Thank you to everyone who came. Before, I thought he would be better. He’s a tough fighter. He’s a good fighter.  But he’s not a pound-for-pound fighter.”

Haney, of course saw it differently. He believes his destiny is to be the very best, pound-for-pound. He was modest about his decision over Lomahenko. He heard the boos, too. But he also believed his destiny was still there, still intact.

“He’s a crafty fighter,” Haney said. “He turns it up in the championship rounds. I just have to take my hat off to him. He’s a great fighter.

“This is all experience. Me and my team are going to go back to the house, watch the fight and reflect on it. I’ve been at 135 (lightweight) for a long, long time. 

“This is my 30^th fight. I’ve been here at 135 since I was 16 years old. We’re going to go back to the lab and figure out what’s next.”

Oscar Valdez back with unanimous decision

Oscar Valdez Jr. was back, back to rediscover himself.

Mission accomplished.

Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs) did it Saturday night in a rematch against Adam Lopez, who knocked him down and might have left him with some hard questions a couple of years ago.

He’ll never erase the knockdown. But he answered some of the questions with a solid performance in winning a 98-92, 98-91, 97-93 decision over Lopez in a fight before the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Devin Haney rematch at the MGM Grand.

It wasn;t always easy. Then again, it never is for the resilient Valdez, who was fighting for the first time since Shakur Stevenson beat him badly 13 months ago.

Above all, his victory over Lopez was a sure sign that Valdez is still a contender at junior-lightweight. In beating Lopez, he resurrected the possibility of an intrigving bout with fellow Mexican Emanuel Navarrete.

An earlier date with Navarrete in Glendale at Desert Diamond Arena near Phoenix was put on hold because Valdez hurt his ribs in a fall down some stairs. But the possibility is back on. Now, Top Rank is looking to stage Valdez-Navarrete in August.

 A re-energized Valdez  was there Saturday in the opening rounds. There was some familiar power in his left hand. There was also a precise, purposeful jab. He put Lopez on his back foot, the first step in an early retreat. 

But the younger Lopez flashed some of his aggression, stepping forward midway through the third and again late in the fourth with punches powerful enough for Valdez to be wary. Valdez continued to move forward. But he had to be careful that he wasn’t moving into a trap. Lopez appeared to gain some momentum in the fourth and again in the fifth. But it slowed when Valdez landed a couple of stinging left hands.

In the sixth, Lopez began to move, side to side. Back and forth. Always on his toes. It was a dance that forced the older Valdez into a chase. Catch me, if you can. In the sixth, Valdez could not.

In the seventh and eighth, Lopez ( 16-5, 6 KOs) continued to move his feet. It was elusive and – at times — effective. Yet it seemed to frustrate only the Valdez fans, many of whom had traveled to Vegas from his Mexican hometown, Nogales, south of Tucson . They chanted: “Oscar, Oscar.” They also booed Lopez. All the while, Valdez, true to the bulldog-like tattoo on  his chest, moved forward, ever forward.

In the tenth and final rounds, Valdez’ stubborn patience paid off. He took the spring out of Lopez’s feet, rocking him repeatedly with left hands. Both fighters tripped and tumbled onto the canvas like pro wrestlers once. Then, Lopez slipped, apparently tripping over his own feet.

In the end, only Valdez was still standing, a winner for the 31st time in a long career

Raymond Muratalia wins 2nd-round TKO

Raymond Muratalia talked about delivering a statement.

He did.

He delivered a couple of them.

First, he blew away Jeremia Nakathila within two rounds, a quick TKO that helped support his stated claim on being among the best lightweights.

Then, he stated he wanted the winner of the fight that was about to happen between Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko for the undisputed title Saturday night at the MGM Garden Garden Arena.

“I think I sent a big message to the lightweight division,” Muratalia (18-0, 15 KOs) said. “Nobody has ever stopped Nakathila. I just stopped him in the second round. I think that’s a huge statement.”

“I want the winner of the main event, That’s who I want.”

Nakathila (23-3, 19  KOs), of Namibia, never had much of a chance against the fighter from Fresno, Calif., who trapped him in the corner midway through the second round and unleashed a succession of blows, Referee Robert Hall stepped in and ended it at 2:46 of the round.

Junto Nakatani delivers scary KO

In the beginning, it was one sided. In the end, it was scary.

From start to finish, Junto Nakatani controlled all of it, knocking down Andrew Moloney in the second round, breaking him down with almost clinical efficiency in the middle rounds, flooring him again in the eleventh and then finishing him in the twelfth with punch that left the Aussie flat on his back for several perilous moments.

Moloney never had a chance in a title fight featured on the Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko card Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. But he had plenty of courage, enough to endanger him against the proficient Nakatani (25-0,19 KOs), the World Boxing Organization’s new junior-bantamweight champion.

The finishing blow was set up by a couple of glancing right hands from Nakatani. He ducked once, then landed a glancing right. He ducked again, landing another. Moloney (26-3, 16 KOs) dropped his hands, leaned forward and directly into an incoming left. It looked as if he was unconscious before he hit the canvas and rolled flat onto his back.

He stayed there motionless until he was helped onto a stool, looking as if he had no clue where he was. Then, there was a glimmer of recognition He was helped to his feet. The crowd applauded. Then, cheered. Then, exhaled in relief.

Rosenberger fights Al Walsh to standstill in split draw

Daniel Rosenberger knows the name. Knows what it means. Ali is boxing royalty.

But for eight rounds he wouldn’t be intimidated by the name and all it represents.

Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s grandson, was just another fighter to Rosenberger and a growing crowd of fans on the Vasiliy Lomachenko–Devin Haney undercard Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Rosenberger (13-9-5, 4 KOs) a middleweight from Youngstown Ohio, fought Ali Walsh to a standstill — a split draw. A debatable one, too. 

In his nine-fight career, it was the first blemish on Ali Walsh’s career. But the blemish could have been worse. It could have been a loss. Ali Walsh (8-0-1, 5 KOs), of Las Vegas, mounted an aggressive assault in the middle rounds. But he appeared to tire over the last two. That’s when Rosenberger backed him up and rocked him, but apparently not often enough to gain an edge on the cards.

Emiliano Vargas wins second-round TKO

It was quick. It was efficient. Lethal, too.

Emiliano Vargas (5-0, 3 KOs), an unbeaten lightweight and the son of ex-welterweight great Fernando Vargas, threw two right hands and then unloaded a looping left that crashed onto  Rafael Juno’s midsection. 

Juno (3-1, 1 KO, of Houston, winced, then collapsed onto his side, beaten at 1:41 of the second round in the fourth bout on the Loma-Haney card.

Floyd Diaz wins debatable decision

Luis Fernando Saavedra (9-9, 3 KOs) challenged Diaz (9-0, 3 KOs) throughout eight rounds and appeared to beat him over several of those rounds, despite one-sided cards. The judges had 80-72, 79-73 80-72, all for  Diaz of Las Vegas

But the judging didn’t account for Saavedra’s aggressiveness throughout the third fight on the Loma-Haney card Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Round after round, he pursued and Diaz retreated into what was a debatable decision

Lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason aces to an 8-0 record

Lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason has raced through his brief career, making it look easy.

That didn’t change Saturday in the second fight on a card featuring Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko.

For five rounds, Mason (8-0, 7 KOs), of Cleveland, scored at will against Desmond Lyons (8-3-, 2 KOs) of South Carolina. Then in the sixth, Lyons kicked it into another gear, unloading  a succession of shots at a blinding rate that left Lyons defenseless and finished at 32 seconds of the round.

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones scores impressive TKO

It was first bell, a good time to say hello.

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones (9-0, 8 KOs) did, capitalizing on the opportunity with a thorough display of his versatility, power and speed in a sixth-round TKO of Chino Hill (8-3-1, 6 KOs) in the opening bout on the card featuring Devin Haney-versus-Vasiliy Lomachenko Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Jones, of Oakland CA, rocked Hill, of Davenport Iowa, with repeated right hands through the five rounds. In the sixth and final round, Jones, a Haney stablemate, went southpaw, finishing Hill with a multiple-punch combination. Referee Mike Ortega ended it at 1:16 of the round.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Undefeated middleweight prospect Amari Jones notched his seventh straight knockout with a third-round stoppage of veteran journeyman Michael Lemelle in the middleweight main event at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, Sacramento on Friday night.

Jones (7-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Oakland, California was in control of the game Lemelle (3-11-1) of Fort Worth, Texas throughout. Jones, 161, imposed himself and his strength advantage over Lemelle,159, while controlling the distance and pressing forward. 

Lemelle, who has seen a slew of undefeated opponents in his career, refused to take a knee or crumble and proved to be a durable adversary for as long as it lasted. However, the disparity in power, speed and technique were evident to referee Edward Collantes, who called off the bout at 2:14 of third, prompted in part by a series of overhand lefts.

Lemelle, a pro since 2012, took to social media after the fight to announce his retirement from the ring.

For Jones, promoted by Devin Haney Promotions, his seventh win as a pro afforded him the opportunity to showcase himself in front of some of his hometown fans, while getting in a few good rounds against a game southpaw in Lemelle. 

In the six-round co-feature, Sacramento’s former amateur star Cain Sandoval (6-0, 6 KOs) continued to grow his strong following with a second-round stoppage over veteran Daniel Evangelista Jr. (20-15-2, 16 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. 

Sandoval, 138, was aggressive from the outset, ultimately dropping Evangelista, 139, with a right late in the first round. The Mexico City native beat the count and appeared fairly steady on his feet as the round came to a close. 

Sandoval looked like a fighter that could smell a knockout as he came after Evangelista to open the second round. To the chagrin of even Sandoval’s large supportive contingent, referee Ed Collantes called an end to the fight after a flurry rocked Evangelista early in the stanza. 

Though the outcome of the bout was hardly in doubt by even the second round, the crowd on hand seemed to feel cheated out of the probable decisive knockout victory Sandoval was en route to delivering. Official time was 34 seconds of the second.

Angel Chavez (7-0, 6 KOs) of Salinas, California utilized a size and strength advantage to stop debuting Elj Portee (0-1) of Oceanside, California by way of Baltimore, Maryland in the third-round. 

Chavez, 178, cruised through a workmanlike opening two rounds as Portee, 178, trouble getting in punching range. Chavez turned up the heat in the third, ultimately landing a series of clobbering rights drop Portee in the blue corner. Referee Ed Collantes did not like something in Portee’s responses and stopped the fight midway through his count at 51 seconds of round three.

Former international amateur standout Shamar Canal (2-0, 2 KOs) of Albany, New York, a Devin Haney Promotions stablemate of Amari Jones, dismantled Dan Hernandez (0-2) of Riverside, California by way of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico en route to scoring three knockdowns in under three minutes. 

Canal, 133, flashed considerable speed and Hernandez, 132, simply had no way to negate that natural disadvantage. The first knockdown came on a quick shot inside that if you blinked you missed it completely. The second knockdown came at the end of a long and straight right hand.  The third knockdown, which prompted the end of the bout, came after a flurry alongside the ropes.

After Hernandez found himself on the mat for the third time, referee David Hartman called for the bell at 2:49 of round one. 

In the opener, former sparring mates Sergio Vega (2-1-2, 2 KOs) of Woodland, California and Cmaje Ramseur (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Elk Grove, California fought to a crowd-pleasing, spirited draw. 

Ramseur, 144, pressed the action early, forcing Vega, 140, to fight while backing up at moments in the first two rounds. Both fighters kept a steady pace early, but something seemed to light a fire under Vega late in the fight. A leaping left uppercut thrown by Vega in the fourth may have been the most telling blow in the fight, but Ramseur came right back with some clean shots of his own as the fight came to a close.

In the end, one judge had three of the four rounds for Ramseur, 39-37, but was overruled by the other two, who scored the fight even, 38-38, and thus a majority draw. At intermission, promoter Nasser Niavaroni named the bout fight of the night.

The intriguing co-main event scheduled to take place between Joeshon James (6-0, 3 KOs) of Sacramento and Chris Thompson (7-0, 5 KOs) of Kansas City, Missouri was scrapped two weeks ago when the Midwesterner pulled out with a reported wrist injury. Somewhat curiously, Thompson has already taken to social media with video hitting a heavy bag while touting a late August return to the ring. James was on hand and thanked his supporters who wanted to come see him fight. 

The event, dubbed “Hot August Fights,” was promoted by Nasser Niavaroni and Upper Cut Promotions.

Photos by Erik Killin

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected] 

By Mario Ortega Jr.-

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Undefeated middleweight prospect Amari Jones likely has his seventh straight knockout on his mind as he heads into battle against veteran Michael Lemelle tonight at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, Sacramento. The six-round middleweight bout headlines a five-fight card at what has become the lone launching pad for Northern California fighters in recent years. Fighters weighed-in Thursday afternoon at Our Place Event Space & Kitchen in historic Old Sacramento.  

Jones (6-0, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Oakland, California was last seen two months ago as he scored a second-round stoppage on the undercard of Devin Haney-George Kambosos in Melbourne, Australia. Lemelle (3-10-1) of Fort Worth, Texas has seen nothing but undefeated fighters over his last seven contests, each of which ended in a less than satisfactory result for the Lone Star State resident. Jones, who fights under the Devin Haney Promotions promotional banner, weighed in at 161-pounds. Lemelle scaled 159-pounds on Thursday afternoon. 

In the six-round co-feature, popular former amateur star Cain Sandoval (5-0, 5 KOs) of Sacramento takes on significantly more experienced veteran Daniel Evangelista Jr. (20-14-2, 16 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a light welterweight bout. Sandoval, much like Jones, has begun his professional career with a knockout streak he will aim to keep intact tonight against Evangelista. The veteran from Mexico appears to be a step-up from Sandoval’s early competition, but time will tell if his odometer has too many miles on it to push the young fighter. Sandoval weighed-in at 138-pounds, while Evangelista scaled 139. 

Another young knockout artist in Angel Chavez (6-0, 5 KOs) of Salinas, California will take on the unknown debuting Elj Portee of Oceanside, California by way of Baltimore, Maryland in a six-round light heavyweight bout. Chavez, a product of the MXN Boxing Center in Salinas, has scored four first-round stoppages in his first six bouts as a professional. Portee has the unenviable assignment of attempting to make it through six-rounds against a power puncher as his first assignment as a professional. Chavez came in at 178-pounds, as did the shorter Portee. 

Former international amateur standout Shamar Canal, a Devin Haney Promotions stablemate of Amari Jones, takes on Dan Hernandez (0-1) of Riverside, California by way of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in a four-round lightweight bout. Canal (1-0, 1 KO) of Albany, New York turned professional just over a year ago with a first-round knockout. Hernandez lost a narrow majority decision in his lone pro effort last November. Canal scaled 133-pounds, while Hernandez made 132-pounds. 

In the curtain raiser, former local sparring mates Sergio Vega of Woodland, California and Cmaje Ramseur of neighboring Elk Grove, California appear ready to wage war tonight. Vega (2-1-1, 2 KOs) and Ramseur (1-1, 1 KO) immediately got in each other’s face during the post-scale staredown during Thursday’s weigh-in and had to be separated by promoter Nasser Niavaroni and a member of the California State Athletic Commission before the jawing got out of hand. Vega weighed-in at 140-pounds, while Ramseur, who took the fight on short notice, scaled 144 for the four-round light welterweight bout that Niavaroni predicted will be the fight of the night.  

The intriguing co-main event scheduled to take place between Joeshon James (6-0, 3 KOs) of Sacramento and Chris Thompson (7-0, 5 KOs) of Kansas City, Missouri was scrapped two weeks ago when the Midwesterner pulled out with a reported wrist injury. Somewhat curiously, Thompson has already taken to social media with video hitting a heavy bag while touting a late August return to the ring. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Middleweights, 6 Rounds

Jones 161

Lemelle 159

Light welterweights, 6 Rounds

Sandoval 138

Evangelista Jr. 139

Light heavyweights, 6 Rounds

Chavez 178

Portee 178

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Canal 133

Hernandez 132

Light welterweights, 4 Rounds 

Vega 140

Ramseur 144

Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are still available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected] 

Devin Haney remained undefeated and retained the WBC Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former junior lightweight champion Joseph Diaz Jr. at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The fight was very competitive and entertaining as their styles meshed well. Haney trying to box and land hard body shots long right hands from distance. He was able to did that easily over the first three rounds. Diaz started to get going in round four as he started to press forward and land some solid left hands. Haney continued his gameplan and he started to counter Diaz.

The rounds were very close and they took on a pattern of Haney boxing consistently with Diaz flurrying in the middle of the round. Haney was very effective with his right uppercut, with Diaz doing well with the left.

With Haney seemingly up a few rounds going in to the 12th round, Diaz threw caution to the wind, and buckled Haney with an overhand left. Haney did well to recuperate and start to give as good as he received. It was the early rounds that Haney banked plus a few in later part of the fight that got Haney the victory by scores of 117-111 twice and 116-112.

Haney landed 164 of 614 punches; Diaz was 140 of 573.

Haney, 135 lbs of Las Vegas is now 27-0. Diaz, 134.4 lbs of California is 32-2-1.

Love Stops Diaz in 3

Montana Love remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Carlos Diaz in a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout.

In round two, Love dropped Diaz with a left uppercut that was followed by a right hook. It was the same combination that put Diaz down again in the round. Love dropped Diaz for a 3rd time in the round when he landed a left right to the head. In round three, Love landed a straight left that drove Diaz to the corner. Two more shots later, and the fight was stopped at 1:22.

Love, 143.8 lbs (3.8 lbs over the Contract weight) of Cleveland, OH is now 17-0-1 with nine knockouts. Diaz, 139.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 29-2-2.

Mccaskill Stops Wyatt in 7; Retains Undisputed Titles

Jessica McCaskill retained the Undisputed Lightweight Welterweight World Title with a 7th round stoppage over late-replacement Kandi Wyatt.

In round three, Wyatt began to bleed from her nose. McCaskill beat down Wyatt. The challenger stood tough and took all of McCaskill’s leather, and even would get in a nice right of her own.

McCaskill had a big round six as she battered Wyatt. At the end of the round, referee Celestino Ruiz told Wyatt that he had her on a short rope. True to form, McCaskill landed 2 flush rights to start round seven, and the fight was stopped at 19 seconds.

McCaskill, 146.4 lbs of Chicago is 11-2 with four knockouts. Wyatt, 146.2 lbs of Calgary, CAN is 10-4.

Hrgovic stops Ahmatovic in 3

Filip Hrgovic remained undefeated by stopping previously undefeated Emir Ahmatovic in round three of a 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Hrgovic dropped Ahmatovic twice. The first came from a chopping right to the head. The 2nd knockdown was similar as it was another chopping shot in the corner. In round three, it was yet another chopping right that put Ahmatovic down again and the fight was stopped at 30 seconds.

Hrgovic, 246.8 lbs of Croatia is 14-0 with 12 knockouts, Ahmatovic, 228.4 lbs of Germany is 10-1.

“From the opening bell, I knew he wasn’t on my level,” said Hrgovi?. “It was a matter of time before he was going down. I took my time. I didn’t rush. He went down twice in the second round and by the third round I knew he was finished. This is why I want big fights. Then you will see my true potential.”

Castro Stops Solis in 2

Marc Castro remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Ronaldo Solis in a scheduled six-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Castro dropped Solis with a hard 1-2 combination. In round two, Castro landed a booming right in the corner and out Solis down, and the fight was stopped at 43 seconds.

Castro, 136.4 lbs of Fresno, CA is 5-0 with five knockouts. Solis, 130.8 lbs of Cancun, MEX is 4-3-1.

Austin Williams stopped Quatavious Cash in the 2nd round of their scheduled eight round middleweight fight.

Williams landed a crushing left to the face that dropped Cash. The referee stopped the bout at 26 seconds.

Williams, 160 lbs of Houston is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Cash, 160 lbs of Atlanta is 14-3-1.

Alexis Espino and Rodolfo Gomez Jr. battled to an eight-round draw.

Scores were 77-75 for Gomez and 76-76 twice.

Espino, 167.4 lbs of Las Vegas is 9-0-1. Gomez of Laredo, TX is 14-5-2.

Amari Jones kept his perfect stoppage streak with a 6th and final round stoppage over Timothy Lee in a middleweight bout.

It was a good action fight that saw Jones drop Lee in the opening frame. Jones started to land heavy shots in round five. Jones poured it on in round six and the fight was stopped at 2:40.

Jones, 160 lbs of Las Vegas is 5-0 with five knockouts. Lee, 159.4 lbs of Las Vegas is 5-2.

Ricardo Sandoval stopped former world title challenger Carlos Buitrago in round seven of their scheduled 10-round flyweight bout.

Sandoval dominated the fight, and the fight was stopped after a Sandoval flurry at 46 seconds.

Sandoval, 111.8 lbs of Rialta, CA is 20-1 with 15 knockouts. Buitrago, 113 lbs of Nicaragua is 32-7-1.

Devin Haney retained the WBC Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former three-division champion Jorge Linares at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Haney dominated the action as he mixed up his punches as he started featuring the his jab. That punch set up good rights and uppercuts that built him a good lead as the headed to the last part of the fight.

In round 10, Linares landed a hard right at the bell that rocked Haney and buckled his legs, Haney survived a few anxious moments but literally held on for the victory by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113.

Haney landed 215 of 675 punches; Linares was 116 of 620.

Haney, 135 lbs of Las Vegas is now 26-0. Linares, 135 lbs of Barinas, VEN is 47-6.

“The fans want to see that,” said Haney. “They want to see if I can go in there and walk my opponent down. Hit him with big shots. I showed I can do it all, I can box, I can bang, I can take a shot and face adversity and get the job done.
 
“It was a good shot, but I wasn’t hurt, sometimes when you get hit by a good shot, you have to be smart, continue the game plan, and I did that and got the win.
 
“I knew he was going to come here and give it everything, it was a huge opportunity for him, he would be willing to get knocked out to go for the win, take my biggest shots to get this title.
 
“I just kept smart, used the jabs, feinted and landed shots in the 12th round. You are going to get hit with big shots in boxing. I didn’t get dropped; I didn’t get hurt. You see fighters get dropped and get up from big shots and people praise them, I didn’t get dropped, I stayed on my feet, kept throwing shots and closed it out.
 
“I want to fight the best, I stayed focused on Jorge this week, I knew he was a tough competitor, and I got the job done with the game plan. If Teofimo Lopez wants to do it next, let’s do it for all the belts, the real undisputed.”

Cameron stops Hernandez in 5; Defends Super Lightweight Title

Chantelle Cameron defended the WBC Super Bantamweight world title with a fifth round stoppage over former world champion Melissa Hernandez.

Cameron dropped Hernandez with a right hand in round four. Cameron dominated the fight, but for some reason the fight was stopped during a lull in the action.

Cameron, 139,2 lbs of Northampton, UK is now 14-0 with eight knockouts. Hernandez, 136.2 lbs of Miami, Lbs is 23-8-3.

Quigley wins Majority Decision over Mosley Jr.

Jason Quigley won a 10-round majority decision over Shane Mosley Jr, in a middleweight bout.

Quigley landed 159 of 496 punches; Mosley was 144 of 572.

Quigley, 159.4 lbs of Bellybofey, IRE won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 19-1. Mosley, 160 lbs of Pomona, CA is 17-4.

Fuzile stops Ward in 7

Azinga Fuzile stopped Marti J Ward in round seven of their scheduled 12-round super featherweight bout.

In round four, Fuzile dropped Ward with a right hook to the side for the head.

In round seven, It was another right hook the sent Ward down again. The two banged legs, and Ward was the worse off of that exchange. Ward got to his feet with his face all bloody and the fight was stopped at 1:10.

Fuzile, 129,2 lbs of East London, SA is 15-2 with nine knockouts. Ward, 129.6 lbs of Brentwood, UK is 24-2-2.

Coe Stops Tadd in 2

Khalil Coe made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Nathaniel Tadd in a light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Coe dropped Tadd twice. First he hurt Tadd with a body shot. Coe followed up with a flurry of body shots that sent Tadd down to the canvas. Coe went right back to that body, and landed a big uppercut and down went Tadd for a second time. In round two, It was another left to the body that sent Tadd down for a third time, and the fight was stopped at 1:10.

Coe, 176.2 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 1-0 with one knockout. Tadd, 179 lbs of Houston is 2-5.

Reshat Mati remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Ryan Pino in a welterweight bout.

Mati, 145.8 lbs of Staten Island, NY won by scores of 60-54 and 58-56 twice and is now 10-0. Pino 146.8 lbs of San Juan, PR is 8-7-2.

Ramla Ali remained undefeated by winning a six-round unanimous decision over Mikayala Nebel in a featherweight contest.

Ali, 124 lbs of London, UK won by scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 3-0. Nebel, 124.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 4-9.

Amari Jones stopped Jonathan Burrs in the first round of their four-round super welterweight bout.

Jones landed a hard left that dropped Burrs and when Burrs got to his feet, the fight was stopped at 2:56.

Jones, 153.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 2-0 with two knockouts. Burrs, 153 lbs of Frederick, MD is 3-4.