Some of the best boxers in Michigan delivered an action-packed night of boxing Sept. 12 at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, MI.
The night began with Flint native Christopher Thomson (3-0, 3KOs) putting on a great performance versus Eric Hadley in a four-round middleweight bout.
As the opening bell sounded, Thompson immediately found the range by using a sharp, fast jab. He then mounted combinations and offensive pressure which allowed him to trap Hadley in the corner and unleash a barrage of punches. Thompson dropped Hadley with relentless punches but Hadley quickly stood to his feet. Thompson immediately got back on the offense, firing off another barrage of punches that sent Hadley tumbling to the canvas once again.
Christopher Thompson punching Eric Hadley. (Salita Promotions)
The referee stopped the fight. Thompson won by TKO in the first round.
Christopher Thompson hand raised after TKO victory. (Salita Promotions)
The card continued with Flint native Darrion Lawson(3-0, 3KOs) making quick work of his opponent, Isaiah Cobbs in a four-round heavyweight bout.
Darrion Lawson versus Isaiah Cobbs. (Salita Promotions)
In the opening round, Lawson met Cobbs in the center of the ring and immediately landed a lead hook that staggered him. Moments later, Lawson landed a perfect left hook that knocked his opponent down and out.
Lawson won by KO in the first round.
Darrion Lawson hand raised after KO victory. (Salita Promotions)
The next bout was a four-round middleweight bout between Flint native Jaquan McElroy (2-0,1KO) and Lamar Bolden.
Jaquan McElroy versus Lamar Bolden. (Salita Promotions)
In the first round, McElroy patiently set up combinations to the head and body as Bolden repeatedly lunged in. Bolden’s wild offense left him open for counter opportunities and McElroy made him pay.
McElroy picked up the pace in the next round, applying more pressure with combinations. The relentless pressure and body attack slowed Bolden down and allowed McElroy to land clean punches to the head. At the end of the round, McElroy knocked Bolden down with a combination ending with an overhand hook. Bolden stood to his feet but was saved by the bell.
Jaquan McElroy landing final combination as referee stops the fight. (Salita Promotions)
McElroy saw his opportunity to close the show in the third, as he followed with even more pressure and combinations. Bolden retreated as he was hurt with a clean body punch from McElroy. Bolden tried to weather the storm but McElroy unleased a barrage of punches that closed the show.
The referee stopped the fight. McElory won by TKO.
Claressa Shields, Jaquan McElroy and Dmitriy Salita posing for a photo. (Salita Promotions)
The next bout saw another heavyweight matchup that didn’t go the distance but it wasn’t a knockout. Flint native DeAndre Savage(6-0,6KOs) faced Keshawn Jackson in a six-round bout.
The bout began with Savage applying offensive pressure and Jackson on the retreat. Jackson seemed unwilling to engage with Savage due to the power of his punches.
DeAndre Savage landing body punch against Keshawn Jackson. (Salita Promotions)
In the second round, Savage knocked Jackson down after barrage of punches. Jackson stood to his feet but was clearly hurt and trying to evade Savage’s aggression. Savage backed Jackson into a corner and began firing combinations. Jackson went down from a body punch but Savage accidentally landed another blow to the face as Jackson went down on a knee.
DeAndre Savage after bout was ruled ‘no contest.’ (Salita Promotions)
Jackson was unable to continue and the bout was ruled a ‘no contest.’
The TV opener bout saw Flint native Leon Lawson III(16-1, 9KOs) make his return to the ring after over a year out of action against Luis Alberto Veron of Argentina.
In the first-round, Lawson III patiently out-boxed his opponent with a long, fast jab. Lawson III kept his opponent at a distance which made it easy for him to evade Veron’s attacks. Midway through the round, Lawson III staggered his opponent with a powerful 1-2 punch combination. He remained patient as he continued to build momentum.
Leon Lawson III versus Luis Alberto Veron. (Salita Promotions)
Lawson III picked up the pace in the second-round landing more combinations after setting it up with jabs. He applied more pressure and started to back his opponent up but still remained patient.
A similar theme played out in the third-round as Lawson III was sharp, accurate and methodically breaking Alberto Veron down.
Lawson III’s moment came in the fourth round as he landed an explosive counter overhand right hook that sent Alberto Veron tumbling to the canvas.
Leon Lawson III lands knockout punch versus Luis Alberto Veron. (Salita Promotions)
Alberto Veron tried to stand to his feet but quickly fell back to the canvas. The referee stopped the fight. Lawson III won by TKO.
Leon Lawson III after knockdown versus Luis Alberto Veron. (Salita Promotions)Anthony Dirrell, Dmitriy Salita, Leon Lawson III and Claressa Shields posing for a photo. (Salita Promotions)
The second TV bout saw Inkster native Da’Velle Smith(9-0,7KOs) deliver an impressive KO performance against Esau Herrera De La Cruz of Mexico.
Da’Velle Smith after knockdown versus Esau Herrera De La Cruz. (Salita Promotions)
Smith floored De La Cruz seconds after the opening bell, showcasing lightning-quick hand speed along with devasting power.
After hitting the canvas a second time, De La Cruz was counted out in the fourth round.
“The atmosphere was great,” said Smith. “The fans definitely wanted to see me get him (De La Cruz) out of there and finish him. I expected to dominate in great fashion. I could have done better, and there are still things I need to tighten up. I haven’t fought in about seven months, so I thought I did pretty good.”
Da’Velle Smith jabbing Esau Herrera De La Cruz. (Salita Promotions)Angel Callaboro, Dmitriy Salita, Da’Velle Smith and Miles Bridges posing for a photo. (Salita Promotions)
The co-main saw Grand Rapids native Joseph Hicks(11-0,7KOs) add to his perfect record after an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Detroit native Ronnie Austion.
Joe Hicks versus Ronnie Austion. (Salita Promotions)
The bout was a highly tactical battle as both fighters displayed excellent hand speed and ring IQ. Hicks’ consistent offense and pressure throughout had Austion mostly on the backfoot, trying to evade punches.
Joe Hicks punching Ronnie Austion. (Salita Promotions)
Austion was clever and landed solid counter punches but did not throw enough punches to push Hicks backwards. Hicks picked up the pace as the fight went on which gave him the nod on the judges’ scorecards.
Joe Hicks hand raised after decision victory. (Salita Promotions)
The main event saw Flint native Ardreal “Bossman” Holmes Jr.(16-0,6KOs) displaying championship-level skills against Cuban veteran Hugo Noriega(10-3,5KOs). Holmes Jr. defended his USBA junior middleweight title for the second time.
Ardreal Holmes Jr. jabbing Hugo Noriega. (Salita Promotions)
Over the course of 10 rounds, Holmes Jr. showcased excellent head movement, out-boxing and counter punching from the southpaw stance. His long, fast jab kept Noriega at a distance. Noriega tried to close the gap by lunging in with combinations but Holmes Jr. repeatedly met him with clean counter punches.
Ardreal Holmes Jr. lands right hook against Hugo Noriega. (Salita Promotions)
Whether it was left-hand pull-counter or check right-hook, it seemed like Holmes Jr. had a counter for everything Noriega threw. Whenever Noriega got close enough to unleash a barrage, Holmes Jr. displayed excellent head movement and defense from the ‘Philly Shell’ guard.
Ardreal Holmes Jr. lands left hand versus Hugo Noriega. (Salita Promotions)
Noriega was a tough competitor and never stopped coming forward but was unable to mount much offense against the slick Holmes Jr. “Bossman” cruised through the final two rounds as the bout went to the judges’ scorecards with Holmes Jr. scoring the unanimous decision victory.
Ardreal Holmes Jr. hand raised after unanimous decision victory over Hugo Noriega. (Salita Promotions)
Holmes Jr. said after the fight that he’s grateful to share the card with his brother Jaquan McElroy in front of the hometown crowd.
“It’s a dream come true,” Holmes Jr. said. “To be able to share the card with my brother and fight in front of my hometown was amazing and I am ready to do it again. I fought a really tough guy in Noriega. Cuba has some of the best fighters in the world. I appreciate him coming out and bringing the intensity. It makes me that much better.”
Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66e5ea4dd23b458bb26d688dfecb0ac8&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clickondetroit.com%2Fsports%2F2024%2F09%2F14%2Fmichigans-top-prospects-and-contenders-dominate-big-time-boxing-usa-event-in-flint%2F&c=11971237924815645580&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-09-14 04:13:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
