WBC world lightweight champion Devin "The Dream" Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas was victorious as he won a unanimous decision over Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (32-2-1, 15KOs) of South El Monte, California Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Haney came out flashy displaying the hand speed as Diaz had slow start pawing and working the jab in the opening round. In the second, Haney kept letting his hands go with Diaz working his way in leading with the jab and getting inside getting rough. Diaz began to attack downstairs in round three, Haney continued to show hand speed outworking Diaz but the challenger appeared to be gaining ground inside. It got rough in the fourth as Diaz attempted to connect to the body shoved Haney to the ground, moments later Diaz connected with a solid straight left that got the champs attention.
Referee Russell Mora issued his second warning to Haney for a low blow, Diaz connected on the inside but Haney continued to displays the hand speed. At the halfway point in the sixth, Diaz stood close as Haney jabbed and fought off his backfoot. Haney connected with a snapping uppercut early in the seventh round but Diaz connected with some hard lefts. Fighting strategically in the eighth, Haney and Diaz worked the jab as Diaz stalked attempting to work his way in.
Once again referee Russell Mora warned Haney for low blows a third time, Diaz attacked to begin the ninth round, Diaz took it Haney during the exchanges inside. Diaz took his foot off the gas pedal in the tenth as Haney pressed and landed solidly. The championship rounds saw Diaz pressing as Haney boxed and appeared to be more active. The twelfth and final round, a hard left by Diaz got Haney's attention, Diaz appeared to be tired as Haney pressed.
The judges scored the bout 117-111, 117-111, and 116-112 as Haney retains his WBC lightweight title.
Super lightweight prospect Montana Love (17-0-1, 9 KO's) from Cleveland stopped Carlos Diaz (29-2, 14 KO's) of Guadalajara, Mexico in three rounds. Love popped the jab in the opening round as Diaz stalked attempting to get in on Love, there was a light clash of heads but there was not cut. Love scored three knockdowns in round two and finally put him away in the third as a flurry of unanswered punches forced referee Raul Caiz Jr. to stop the fight at 1:22 of the third.
Undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill (11-2, 3 KOs) of Chicago retained her titles by annihilating Kandi Wyatt (10-4, 3 KO's) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada . McCaskill came out aggressive attacking connecting with solid with hands snapping Wyatt's head back. In round two, Wyatt gained her composure and used the jab but McCaskill kept coming working her way inside. Patiently boxing in round three, McCaskill connected Wyatt with a solid one-two combo. Wyatt's face was busted in the fourth as McCaskill picked her shots. Connecting precisely in the fifth, McCaskill took it to Wyatt as she was doing a number on her. Halfway through McCaskill kept the pressure and in the seventh the referee finally seen enough stopping the fight at 19 seconds of the seventh.
Undefeated heavyweight Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) stopped Emir Amatovich (10-1, 7 KO's) in three rounds. It was a slow first round but Hrgovic landed big shots on Amatovich. Patiently boxing in round two, Hrgovic dropped Amatovich twice and finished him off in round three as the referee stopped it at 30 seconds.
Super featherweight prospect Marc Castro (5-0, 5 KO's) of Fresno, California scored a second round knockout over Ronaldo Solis (4-3-1, 3 KO's). From the opening bell, Castro landed heavy punches as he boxed and moments later dropped Solis with a right hand, Solis was up continuing to fight as Castro teed off. A huge overhand right by Castro to start the second round put Solis down on the canvas as he got up but the referee waived the bout at 43 seconds of the second.
Houston middleweight Austin Williams (8-0, 7 KOs) scored a second round knockout over Quantavious Cash (14-3, 8 KOs). A left by Williams staggered Cash and Williams followed up with a flurry that prompted referee Raul Caiz Jr. to step in to stop it prematurely at 26 seconds of round two.
Las Vegas super middleweight prospect Alexis Espino (9-0-1, 6 KOs) and Rodolfo Gomez (14-5-1, 10 KOs) battled to an eight round draw. It was non-stop action with neither fighter backing down. Espino and Gomez ground it out to the final bell. In the end, the judges scored it 77-75 for Gomez, 76-76, and 76-76.
Middleweight Amari Jones (5-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas scored a sixth round stoppage over Timothy Lee (5-2) of Los Angeles. An uppercut by Jones in the closing seconds of the opening round floored Lee. Jones boxed as Lee mixed it up. Later in the fifth, Jones attacked as he had Lee up against the ropes. The sixth and final round, Jones continued his attack as the referee stepped in to stop the fight at 2:40.
The little guys started things off from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas as Southern California flyweight Ricardo Rafael Sandoval (20-1, 15 KOs) stopped Carlos Buitrago (32-7-1, 18 KOs) of Nicaragua in seven rounds Sandoval was dominant as he boxed effectively throughout the fight. Buitrago proved tough, but the 22-year old Sandoval connected with the right hand solidly and battered Buitrago as the referee stepped in to stop the fight at 46 seconds of the seventh.
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla
Comments