Former world champion Anthony Dirrell and Kyrone Davis fought to a 12-round draw in a super middleweight bout in Los Angeles.

Dirrell landed 161 of 435 punches; Davis was 139 of 521.

Both fighters took a card 115-113 and a third card was even at 114-114.

Dirrell, 167 1/2 lbs of Flint, MI is 33-2-2. Davis, 167 1/2 lbs of Wilmington, DE is 15-2-1.

“I thought I won the fight. I pushed the fight, hit him with cleaner punches,” Dirrell said. “He hit gloves a lot. I knew it was going to be a draw—as soon as they said it was going to be a split decision. I can’t control what the judges do and I respect them all because they have different perspectives and angles on what is happening.
 
“I was pressing the fight, I wasn’t tired at all. My jab was working. But I can’t stop what the judges think. Davis fought well. He did what he was supposed to, came in with a good game plan. He was boxing, he normally doesn’t do that. But we pressed the action.”

“I’m looking for a title. I’m not looking for just another fight. I’m looking for a big fight. That’s the plan,” Dirrell said. “I’ll take whoever has a belt, whoever we can get. I’ll take a Canelo, or a Caleb Plant.”

“I thought I won the fight, 116-112. It was a great opportunity. They doubted me. They told me he was going to knock me out. This was supposed to be a showcase for him but it wasn’t,” Davis said. “My body felt well. I felt good. Anthony Dirrell is a two-time world champion. I really wanted to make a statement. A draw is not as bad as a loss but I really don’t like breaking even.
 
“It was my first 12-rounder so it was a little unfamiliar for me. I knew he was experienced, but I kept my composure and pushed through it. I stuck to the game plan that (trainer) Stephen “Breadman” Edwards gave me.”

Ramos stops Bojorquez in 2

Jesus Ramos stopped Jesus Bojorquez in round two of a scheduled 10-round weltweight bout.

In round two, Ramos dropped Bojorquez with a hard left. Bojorquez was hurt and bleeding. He took more punishment and the fight was stopped at 1:44.

Ramos is now 15-0 with 14 knockouts. Bojorquez is 24-3.

“I was surprised he got up from that right hook. I was setting it up, throwing my jab to the body,” Ramos said. “I knew he was expecting another jab but I feinted and came back with the right hook. I didn’t think he would get up but he did and then I finished the job. This was a test run [at 147]. I felt really strong, the weight cut was a lot smoother this time around. I might campaign here. I have to talk to my team and see what they think.

“I want to be a champion at 21 years of age. That would be next year. I want to step up the competition this year, fight guys with names, and next year fight guys like Yordenis Ugas.”

Mielnicki stops Lopez in 3

Vito Mielnicki Jr. stopped Noe Alejandro Lopez in round three of a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Mielnicki pounded away on Lopez until the bout was stopped at 2:50.

Mielnicki, 146 1/2 lbs of Roseland, NJ 8-0 with five knockouts. Lopez, 146 lbs of Houston is 10-4-1.

“I felt strong tonight. I don’t know how long I’ll be at 147, moving up may be in my future. For this fight, I give myself an ‘A.’ I got him out of there, a guy who said was a step-up, a guy who they said would carry me into the later rounds. But I expect nothing less of myself because I know I’m going to be great,’’ Mielnicki said.
 
“I’m just going to keep learning. I’m still young. I’m still 18 so we’re not in a rush. We’re going to keep building and see where that takes us. I’m 8-0 with 5 knockouts and I’m not injured or anything so I’m ready to get back in the ring as soon as possible.”

Michel Rivera stopped Anthony Mercado in the final round of their welterweight bout.

In round six, Mercado took a knee after absorbing some solid body shots. In round eight, Rivera sent Mercado down from a combination. Mercado looked exhausted upon reaching his feet, and the bout was stopped at 2:26.

Rivera, 144 1/2 lbs of Miami is 20-0 with 13 knockouts. Mercado, 146 lbs of Camuy, PR is 13-5.

Anthony Cuba and Diego Elizondo fought to a majority draw in a four round lightweight bout.

Cuba landed 41 of 196 punches; Elizondo was 47 of 216.

Cuba took a card 39-37 while two cards read even at 38-38.

Cuba, 134 1/2 lbs is 1-0-1. Elizondo, 135 lbs is 3-2-3.

LOS ANGELES (February 16, 2021) – Two-time super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell takes on Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis in a 12-round WBC Super Middleweight World Title eliminator to headline FOX PBC Fight Night live on Saturday, February 27 from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

The show features two of the most sensational teenage boxers in the sport as 19-year-old welterweight rising star Jesus Ramos battles Jesus Bojorquez in a 10-round co-feature and 18-year-old exciting prospect Vito Mielnicki, Jr. squares off against Noe Lopez in an eight-round welterweight match to open the broadcast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is promoted by TGB Promotions.

“Anthony Dirrell is a natural-born fighter. He’s had to overcome several obstacles in his life to become two-time super middleweight world champion. Each time he has had to come back, he’s done it and been stronger than before,’’ said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Kyrone Davis believes this is his moment to shine under the spotlight of FOX PBC Fight Night. What Dirrell and Davis bring to the ring on February 27 are the ingredients for a terrific fight. The added treat is watching the continued rise of a pair of brilliant young boxers – Jesus Ramos and Vito Mielnicki, Jr. – as they take on tough challenges.’’

Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 KOs), a two-time WBC 168-pound world champion, is a battle-tested veteran who never backs down from anyone in the ring. The 36-year-old Dirrell won the WBC title for the first time with a unanimous decision over Sakio Bika in 2014. The native of Flint, Michigan lost the title the next year to Badou Jack by majority decision. He put together six straight victories after that loss to get back into position to fight for the championship again. He won the title with a technical decision victory over Avni Yildirim in 2019. Dirrell is the younger brother of Andre Dirrell, who won a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team in 2004. He is coming off a hard-fought loss to former champion David Benavidez.

“I feel great, camp has been great and it feels good to get back in the ring with everything that’s been going on in the world,” said Dirrell. “Kyrone Davis has fought some good guys but with me being me, he’s biting off a little more than he chew. Fans can look forward to a knockout on February 27. I’m not playing, I’m going to make a statement.”

Davis (15-2, 6 KO) will face the toughest challenge of his career when he steps in against the more experienced Dirrell. The 26-year-old Davis from Monmouth, N.J. will be moving up to super middleweight for this match. His last fight was a TKO victory over Antonio Todd at middleweight in January 2020. His only two losses came against Junior Castillo and Patrick Day in 2018. His most notable victory so far came against Marcos Hernandez in 2017. Hernandez was undefeated at the time.

“I’ve worked extremely hard and I’m thankful for the opportunity and plan to take full advantage of it,’’ Davis said. “It’s my turn and you’re going to see that on FOX PBC on February 27.”

Ramos (14-0, 13 KOs), the nephew of welterweight contender Abel Ramos, steadily increased the toughness of competition in 2020. The 19-year-old from Casa Grande, Arizona has scored four-straight knockout wins following his only pro fight that has gone the distance, which came in a June 2019 unanimous decision over Kevin Shacks. In his last fight Ramos scored a fourth round stoppage against Naim Nelson in December 2020 on FOX.

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring on February 27, just two months after my last fight,” said Ramos. “I want to stay active this year, and I can’t wait to kick off 2021 with another solid performance.”

Bojorquez (24-2, 18 KOs) has scored four straight victories since losing to Abner Lopez. All four of those victories came by way of stoppage. The 33-year-old Bojorquez from Sonora, Mexico will be fighting for the first time in the United States. He’s coming off a fourth round TKO win over Jose Luis Araiza.

“I know Ramos is a tough young boxer and he’s been on a hot streak. But I’ve been on a hot streak too and my experience will be the deciding factor,’’ said Bojorquez. “I’m looking forward to going against him in an exciting fight on FOX PBC in prime time. I expect it will be a tough fight but I’m ready for anything that he can come with on February 27.’’

Representing Roseland, New Jersey, Mielnicki (7-0, 4 KOs) began turning heads during an exceptional amateur career where he compiled a 147-22 record and was named the Most Oustanding Boxer of the 2011 Junior National Golden Gloves amongst many accolades before turning pro. Last December, the 18-year-old welterweight dropped Steven Pulluaim twice on his way to a six-round unanimous decision.

“Camp is going great and I’m in the best shape of my life,” said Mielnicki. “I can’t wait to showcase my talent on FOX in my first eight-rounder.”

Veteran Lopez (10-3-1, 4 KOs) hails from the fighting town of Jalisco, Mexico and currently resides in Spring, Texas. He’s remained active during the pandemic, fighting three times in 2020, including two victories and a points loss to Joseph Francisco last November.

“I’m really excited about this fight,” said Lopez. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this and I’ve been training hard for months now. Mielnicki is a young, strong kid. I’m going to go out there, test him and shock the world.”

#

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.