On Friday ShoBox promoted by Devin Haney Promotions, Banner Promotions and Bishop in the Main Event No. 5 WBA & IBF contender Devin “The Dream” Haney, of Las Vegas, NV, Xolisani “Novema the Wasp” Ndongeni, of Johannasburg, South Africa, at the Stage Works in Shreveport, LA.
In the Main Event Devin “The Dream” Haney, 21-0 (13), of Las Vegas, NV, defeated Xolisani “Novema the Wasp” Ndongeni, 25-1 (13), of Johannadburg, South Africa, over 10 interesting rounds for the WBO International title.
In the first round Ndongeni came forward low using a jab until he got hit with a real one from Haney on the chin. From that point it was Haney being the aggressor. With just a minute left in the round Ndongeni finally landed something more than a jab landing a left hook to the chin of Haney. Haney landed a lead right to the chin hurting Ndongeni at the bell.
In the second round Haney came out trying to set up Ndongeni for the knockout. Halfway thru the round a left following by a right hook on the chin of Ndongeni and down he went. Ndongeni got up and on the run. A flurry from Haney had Ndongeni holding on.
In the third round Ndongeni came out pressing the action as he did at the start of the fight. Ndongeni landed a combination on the arms of Haney. Halfway thru the round punches were flying. Haney landed a double right to the head of Ndongeni.
In the fourth round after half a minute Haney landed a looping right to the head of Ndongeni. Haney was pressing for the knockout. Every time Ndongeni lands a punch he grabs Haney. Halfway thru the round Ndongeni landed a left hook to the chin of Haney. Ndongeni went on the run waiting for Haney to come to him.
In the fifth round Ndongeni came out aggressively as Haney countered him. A wild left hook from Ndongeni was blocked by a Haney elbow. Haney was looking to end it backing Ndongeni to the ropes when he wasn’t running. Haney hurt Ndongeni with a body shot. Haney hurt Ndongeni with another body shot with half a minute left in the round. Both boxers missed wild punches in the last ten seconds.
In the sixth round Ndongeni met Haney in the middle of the ring until Haney landed a body shot putting him on the run. Haney was loading up walking into a periodical right from Ndongeni. Haney ended the round with a left hook to the chin.
In the seventh round within ten seconds Ndongeni grabbed Haney. Hdongeni had Haney against the ropes with a flurry of punches. Haney was loading up too much throwing little. Haney dropped his left hand trying to lure Ndongeni in. Haney landed a lead right to the chin of Ndongeni. Haney landed a double jab and shortly later knocked out the mouthpiece of Ndongeni with a solid jab. Haney returned with left by his side hoping to land his right.
In the eighth round Ndongeni came out throwing wild punches. Haney countered a right to the chin forcing Ndongeni to grab him again and again. Halfway thru the round Haney landed a solid left hook knocking the head of Ndongeni back. Under a minute left in the round Ndongeni landed an overhand right that had no effect on Haney. Haney landed half a dozen punches right up to the bell.
In the ninth round Haney showing to respect for Ndongeni’s punching power kept coming forward backing Ndongeni to the ropes with a left to the body. Putting Ndongeni against the ropes Haney was looking for the knockout but got caught with an overhand right from Ndongeni. A lead right from Haney right on the chin had no effect on Ndongeni with seconds left in the round.
In the tenth and final round Ndongeni came out throwing punches. After a minute into the round Ndongeni landed a combination to the body of Haney and grabbed him. Ndongeni missed a wild right and got countered by a Haney right to the chin. Under a minute left in the round Haney forced Ndongeni against the ropes with a flurry of body punches. Haney landed a dozen unanswered punches with the referee Bruce McDaniel looking to stop it as the bell sounded saving Ndongeni from a knockout.
The scores were 99-90 and 100-89 twice as did this writer.
Steve Farwood started interviewing Haney asking if he was ready for a big fight. Haney used the F word twice claiming to be a contender when they stopped the interview.
In the co-feature featherweight southpaw Ruben “RV4” Villa, 15-0 (5), of Salinas, CA, pitched an impressive shutout over Ruben Cervera, 10-1 (9), of Santa Marta, COL, over 8 rounds.
In the first round Cervera came out swinging wildly. Villa gave him a boxing lesson. With a minute left in the round Cervera finally landed his first solid punch a right on the chin of Villa. Cervera keeps his hands held high and keeps missing wildly.
In the second round Cervera comes out again swinging wildly. Within half a minute Villa nailed him with a right hook on the chin. Halfway thru the round Cervera was warned for holding by referee Laurence Cole. Swinging wildly and missing Cervera got hit with a 3-punch combination by Villa.
In the third round Cervera came out swinging wildly. Villa boxed him well until a wild right hit him on the chin from Cervera. Villa landed a combination to the head halfway thru the round and Cervera pushed him away. Villa backed Cervera against the ropes with a flurry of body and head punches with a left to the body the best of the punches.
In the fourth round a solid lead left from Villa on the chin of Cervera got his attention. Villa landed a lead uppercut right followed by a combination hurting Cervera. Villa landed half a dozen punches as Cervera looks somewhat exhausted from so many misses.
In the fifth round Villa ducked under a right from Cervera and landed a left on the chin. Villa landed a lead left to the body of Cervera halfway thru the round. With half a minute remaining in the round Villa landed a lead left on the chin of Cervera who is doing little in return holding his hands up high. Villa landed a solid left after a jab knocking Cervera back several steps.
In the sixth round Cervera comes out throwing wild rights missing one after another. Halfway thru the round Villa lands a solid left to the chin. He follows with another left to the head of Cervera hurting him. With a minute left in the round Cervera misses with a wild left. Villa takes it to him landing a 3-punch combination. Cervera lands a double jab and misses with a right. Villa is in complete control.
In the seventh round Villa landed a combination to the head of Cervera. A combination from Villa got Cervera frustrated so he lands a low right giving Villa a minute rest. Villa ends the round with a combination on the chin of Cervera.
In the eighth round Cervera came out missing wildly looking for a knockout having lost every round up to this point. Villa landed four punches. Halfway thru the round Cervera finally landed a solid punch a lead right to the chin of Villa. A minute left in the round and Villa starts using Cervera for target practice nailing him with lefts following jabs. Villa ended the round with a solid left followed by a right hook on the chin. Villa was very impressive winning all 8 rounds.
Judges scores were 80-72 as was this writer’s score.
Villa was an Olympic alternate who had wins over the main event fighter on this card Devin Haney and Olympian Shakir Stevenson. He is promoted by Philadelphia’s Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions.
Cuban heavyweight Frank “Freedom Fighter” Sanchez, 11-0 (9), of Miami, FL, knocked out southpaw Willie “The Snake” Jake, Jr., 8-2-1 (2), of Indianapolis, IND, at 2:58 of the second round in a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the first round Sanchez landed the first solid punch a lead right to the chin of Jake. Halfway thru the round Sanchez landed a right hand to the chin that Jake walked into. Jake started holding 10 seconds into the round. There was a 15 minute delay due to the top rope collapsing.
Within seconds of the start of the second round Jake grabbed Sanchez. Halfway thru the round a Sanchez right on the chin had Jake holding again. Sanchez landed a right to the chin followed by a right uppercut. At the 10 second warning ending the round Sanchez knocked Jake face first to the canvas by a glancing right on top of the head. It took Jake over a minute to get up. He was completely outclassed.