J-Rock next in line for title, Khurtsidze upsets Antoine Douglas
Julian Williams (23-0-1, 14 KOs,) yet again proved why he might just be the best in 154 lbs. as at the Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA is now the number one contender to the IBF world junior middleweight title by defeating Marcello Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) as he defeated the game fighter to earn a crack at gold after the number one contender bout. Williams fought tactically decisively winning rounds, but not over extending himself until the seventh round, when Williams rocked Matano with a left hook that was followed by a straight right hand. The punches created a whirlwind effect in which Williams swarmed Matano who covered up and forced the referee to step in.
After the fight Williams called out Jermall Charlo, below is the video.
In a major upset middleweight Avtandil Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) surprised previously unbeaten star prospect Antoine Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) suffered a tenth round TKO loss in their WBO International title bout. Khurtsidze was not intimidated by Douglas refusing to give him space to operate despite being hit with decent punches. In the third round, Khurtsidze dropped Douglas with a left hook that would dramatically change the disposition of Douglas. Douglas was once again floored by a left hook early in round seven after several rounds of work that he got the better of. Khurtsidze closed the show in the final round with only 33 seconds left in the round by stopping Douglas, a highly touted prospect.
The television opener was middleweight Tony Harrison (23-1, 19 KOs) who out slicked Fernando Guerrero, (28-4, 20 KOs) until he felt the need to finish the fight in sixth round. Harrison scored one knockdown in the second round and two more in the sixth, after the the third knockdown the referee waived the fight off.
In undercard news, Philly heavyweight Joey Dawejko (17-4-2, 9 KOs) battled to a draw with Ytalo Perea (6-2-2, 4 KOs) as well as middleweight Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs) defended his NABF title belt with bruising and bloody ten round unanimous decision over tough Kenneth McNeil (9-2, 6 KOs).
