Beterbiev Has Three World Titles 

Artur Beterbiev now holds the WBO, IBF, and WBC light heavyweight after stopping Joe Smith Jr in two rounds. 

The fight was brutal. Smith Jr. had some limited success pushing Beterbiev back in the first few moments, but that was all for not as he was dropped by a right hand later in that round. 

The second round saw Smith Jr. trying to exchange with Beterbiev which led to more knockdowns, as Beterbiev would stop Smith Jr., who turned his back in the fight after a series of uppercuts, left Smith Jr. confused. 

Not unlike most Beterbiev fights, we forget how good he is because he doesn’t fight all that often. When he fights, like Tim Bradley said on the telecast “…Beterbiev is the Terminator.” Beterbiev is a scary, come-forward power puncher, who is not at all playful or joking. He is all business. 

With one title left in the division, we NEED a Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev fight, as hopefully WBO #1 contender Anthony Yarde would be willing to take step aside money so another great undisputed bout could happen. 

This fight showed one thing. Levels. You have levels between great and good – that was on full display tonight.

Undercard

Featherweight Robesiy Ramirez, who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist got the biggest win of his career knocking out Abraham Nova in the fifth round of a scheduled ten-round fight. Ramirez beat Nova mentally, taunting him, challenging his pride and athletic gifts Nova prides himself on, even mocking his power. When Nova felt the need to exchange Ramirez would counter with thunderous punches, the seeds of doubt were planted early, but overtaken in the fight round as a straight left hand provided a one-punch KO. 

Ramirez now will more than likely be on a short list of guys we want to see fight Emanuel Navarette, the WBO featherweight champion. Ramirez is now the WBO global featherweight champion. 

Bruce Carrington fought like the seasoned veteran he is as the 25-year-old fighter got his third straight KO, in four fights, all of which he has won. Carrington feels like a special fighter. I am just saying.

19-year-old welterweight Jahi Tucker continues to look like a superstar in the making as his offensive style showed improvements in defense, as well as more composure en route to a stoppage win. More so, after the fight, he found a way to interact with Top Rank’s social media person on multiple occasions. 

Floyd “Cashflow” Diaz got a six-round decision on this card. Sadly, it was the loss of his grandfather who passed away the same day that he fought that overshadowed the fight. Our hearts go out to Diaz and his family for their loss.

Middleweight Troy Isley continues to be the most impressive and interesting prospect as he stopped Donte Stubbs, who gave Isley’s amateur rival, Javier Martinez, a tough fight in Fresno, California. Isley still needs to develop, but he is smart, strong, and well-coached. I like what I see.

PROBOXTV SHOCKER!

Lightweight Juan Huertas pulled off a massive upset knocking out Jonathan Cardoso in the first-round of the main event of a ProBoxTV.com card, for the WBO lightweight Latino title. 

Also on the card, Tim VanNewhouse managed Darrelle Valsaint got a first-round KO. Solid Friday night card.

Correa Scores A Huge Win 

118 lbs Eros Correa picked up the biggest win of his pro career and handed Thompson Boxing’s Saul Sanchez his second career loss. In a career-defining performance, Correa outboxed and outlasted Sanchez, who was influential in spots but couldn’t seem to cut off the ring or deal with Correa’s hand speed, as Correa after the third round appeared to take over the fight on my scorecard. The judges had it a split, with one judge scoring it for Sanchez and two for Correa.

During the broadcast, it was hinted that Sanchez might get a chance to fight Jason Moloney in Australia next on the Devin Haney vs. George Kamosos Jnr. II undercard, now I am curious if Correa will get that opportunity. 

On the undercard, Loui Lopez won his fight, and Nelson Oliva stood out as a young fighter to watch for.

Club Shows

Heavyweight Nathan Gorman recorded a first-round knockout, and Josh Kelly got a fourth-round KO on a domestic card in the U.K.

Salinas, Ca’s Alexis Martinez upset Jennifer “Jiffy” Morales by winning a majority decision in Texas. On that same card, Melissa Odessa Parker defended her IBO world title, as well as Split-T’s Andreas Katzourakis picked up a win as well. Giovanni Marquez was also victorious on this card. 

Ohara Davies got an eighth-round KO, Archie Sharp got a ten-round decision, and Jack Bateson got a win to pick up a form of a smaller version of a the WBA 122 lbs belt, and should find himself in the world title picture.

Undefeated Angel Barrera defeated local favorite Daniel Buenaventura on a Bobby Hitz card.

Aida Satybaldinova won a regional title in L.A. after some time away from the ring.

Kiante Irving got a first-round KO.

MMA In 500 Words Or Less

Featherweight contender Josh Emmett of Sacramento, California picked up a split-decision win over Calvin Kattar. After the fight, Kattar called out the world champion Alexander Volkanovski after the fight. 

The most popular fight between Donald Cerrone versus Joe Lauzon was called off again the day of the fight as Lauzon hurt his knee getting off the scale, as this fight feels doomed.

Kevin Holland submitted Tim Means in the second round of his fight as well.