At the O2 Arena in London, UK, Saturday over Top Ranks ESPN+ Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promoted WBA and WBO Lightweight champion Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko added the WBC title defeating Luke Campbell before a sold out crowd.
In the Main Event WBA and WBO champion 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist southpaw Vasililiy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko, 14-1 (10), #134.5, of UKR and Oxnard, CA, defeated Olympic Gold Medalist southpaw Luke Campbell, 20-3 (16), #134.25, of Yorkshire, UK, for the vacant WBC Lightweight title over 12 good rounds.
In the first round between a pair of southpaws of a feeling out by Lomachenko with the taller Campbell landing left hands to the chin in what little punches there were landed. In the second round the action picked up a bit with Lomachenko getting inside while Campbell kept his reach for the most part. Lomachenko hurt Campbell with a left on the chin.
In the third round halfway through the round Lomachenko rocked Campbell with a left on the chin. Campbell pressing the action while Lomachenko moves and counters. In the fourth round Lomachenko made some interesting moves he was known for getting punches when inside. Campbell used an effective jab.
In the fifth round it was nip n’ tuck but in the final ten seconds Lomachenko had Campbell hurt with a left to the chin followed by a body shot. In the sixth round Campbell came out aggressive but by the halfway point Lomachenko took over with good body work.
In the seventh round both fighters had their moments with Lomachenko came back immediately taking over in a action round. He hurt Campbell near the end of the round again with a left to the chin.
In the eighth round of an action packed round both had their moments but Lomachenko knew how to finish strong to take the round. In the ninth round Campbell’s upright style makes his offense his best offense. Lomachenko showed flashes of his greatness taking the round due to his excellent movements.
In the tenth round Lomachenko’s footwork dazzle the pro-Campbell fans but they continue to support their man. Campbell has shown to be a worthy challenger. In the eleventh round at the halfway mark Lomachenko hurt ampbell with a left to the chin. Near the final minute Lomalclhenko dropped Campbell with three body shots ending with a right to the head.
In the twelfth and final round Campbell was warned for a low blow. Lomachenko landed a hard body shot hurting Campbell winning the final round.
Scores were 119-108 twice and 118-109 with this writer having it 119-109. The scores didn’t show how Campbell fought but Lomachenko’s power especially to the body were too much.
“I am the champion and I appreciate the fans in the UK,” said Lomachenko. Top Ranks Bob Arum said Lomachenko awaits the winner of the IBF upcoming fight of champion Commey and Teofimo Lopez in December.
“It was Lomachenko’s fight tonight,” said Campbell.
In the co-feature WBC World Flyweight champion Charlie Edwards, 15-1-1nc (6), #111.5, of Sheffield, UK, came close to losing his title by stoppage to his No. 1 ranked contender Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez, 14-1-1nc (11), #110, of Mexico City, MEX, at 1:43 of the third round, but a late punch from Martinez while down changed the decision to a no-contest of a scheduled 12.
In the first two rounds Edward used his jab while Martinez outworked him using both hands. In the third round Martinez continues forcing the action. Martinez landed close to twenty unanswered punches dropping Edwards but landed a punch to the liver while Edwards was down on one knee for the count taking the world title from Edwards. The referee never ruled anything but a stoppage.
Promoter Hearn complained about the foul at the end of the fight. The fans were quite upset with the ending punch. The fight was ruled a no-contest by the WBC ordering a rematch. “I never got hit like that final punch. I will give him a rematch,” said Edward. “What really happened I hurt him and want a rematch and am really the champion,” said Martinez.
Heavyweight Hughie Fury, 23-3 (13), #224, of Manchester, UK, lost to former WBA Heavyweight champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Alexander “Russian Vithaz” Povetkin, 35-2 (24), #226, of Chekhov, RUS, over 12 lack luster rounds.
In the first round Fury moved around the ring using a jab while Povetkin landed the heavier punches in the round. In the second round Fury mixed it up on occasions with chopping rights when inside in a close round with Povetkin forcing the fight but showing frustration. In the third round the taller Fury continued using his jab and tying up Povetkin inside.
In the fourth round Povetkin got inside landing solid punches while Fury slowed down doing too much holding. In the fifth round Povetkin finally caught up with Fury just before the bell hurting him with a right on the chin.
In the sixth and seventh rounds Fury stayed one step ahead of Povetkin but did too much holding when Povetkin caught up with him. In the eighth round Povetkin in the final minute rocked Fury with a right to the chin. Both fighters looked tired with Fury doing too much holding.
In the ninth round Fury suffered a cut under his left eyebrow from a Povetkin right hand. Fury’s holding has frustrated the near 40 year-old Povetkin who continued throwing power punches.
In the tenth round the fight almost stopped to a standstill with Povetkin lunging in with his punches and Fury grabbing him. In the eleventh round with just a minute left in the round Povetkin rocked Fury with a right on the chin making him clinch. Again in the final seconds of the round Povetkin landed a right on the chin hurting Fury.
In the twelfth and final round Povetkin had a good but frustrating round due to the lack of desire of Fury.
Scores were all 117-111 with this writer having it 116-112.
British Lightweight champion and Olympian Joe Cordina, 10-0 (7), #134 ¾, of Cardiff, Wales, defeated Gavin Gwynne, 11-1 (1), #134 ¼, of Treharris, Wales, for the British and Commonwealth championships over 12 rounds.
In the first round in the first time in 25 years two Welshmen are fighting for a British title. Tall at 6:00 Gwynne warned for hitting behind the head and for holding. Cordina the hard puncher of the two showed this during the round. In the second round there was too much holding mostly by Gwynne. Cordina continued landing more and harder punches. Gwynne is depending on his reach with his jab.
In the fourth and fifth rounds Cordina came back getting the best of Gwynne. He slips punches very well. In the sixth round there was a bit of blood on the bridge of the nose of Gwynne. In the seventh round the referee took a point from Cordina for a low blow. There was more infighting in this round.
In the eighth round Cordina opened up with a flurry of punches. He seemed to get his second wind. In the ninth round the referee finally took a point away from Gwynne. Gwynne’s landed his best punch of the fight a right uppercut to the chin. Cordina is too busy for Gwynne. In the tenth and eleventh rounds Cordina continued to outwork Gwynne.
In the twelfth and final round Cordina continued landing the harder punches throughout the round. It was a fould filled fight.
Scores were 116-110 twice and 116-111 with this writer 117-111.
WBA International Light Heavyweight champion and 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Joshua Buatsi, 12-0 (10), #174 1/2, of Ghana and London, UK, defended his title knocking out WBC Silver champion Ryan “Real Deal” Ford, 16-5 (11), #174 ¼, of Edmonton, Alberta, CAN, at 1:07 of the seventh round in a scheduled 10.
In the first round Buatsi used a good jab to take the round. In the second and third rounds Ford made a fight of it in close rounds. In the fourth round Buatsi in a much needed fight to grow in his career has gotten it through four rounds. In the fifth round the fight continued being close. Buatsi used his jab but standing in front of Ford he has gotten hit.
In the sixth round the fight went back and forth who took the lead with Buatsi getting the edge. In the seventh round Buatsi landed a left hook beltline body shot and a right on the side but near the back of the head and Ford went down unable getting counted out by referee Bob Williams.
“I’m grateful but humbled with the win,” said Buatsi.
Lightweight James “The Assassin” Tennyson, 25-3 (21), #134 1/2, of Belfast, No. Ireland, knocked out Atif “Unique” Shafig, 21-3 (5), #134 3/4, of Yorkshire, UK, in second round, of a scheduled 10 for the vacant WBA International title.
Super Middleweight 2-Time Olympian Savannah “Silent Assassin” Marshall, 7-0 (5), 166 1/2, of Hartlepool, UK, stopped Olympian southpaw Daniele Bastieri, 2-1 (2), 166, of Sao Paulo, @2:00 of the fifth round by RSC in a scheduled 8.
In the second round the tall 5:11 Marshall continued to press the action using her reach. Marshall had beaten Bastieri along with Claressa Shields in the amateurs. In the third round Marshall lands well when Bastieri drops her right hand to her side as a southpaw. Bastieri misses quite a bit. In the fourth round Marshall bloodied the nose of Basteri with a solid right hand. Marshall concentrated on head shots with little to the body.
In the fifth round a barrage of punches from Marshall ending with a right hand dropped Basteri in the final seconds of the round and upon rising referee Bob Williams waved the fight off.
Super Featherweight Martin “Wardy” Ward 23-1-2, (11), of Essex, UK, stopped Josue Bendana, 10-13-4 (6), of NIC and Gerona, SP, by TKO in the fifth round of a scheduled 8.
Super Lightweight Dalton “Never Give Up on Life” Smith, 2-0 (1), of Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK, Daryl Pearce, 1-1 (0), of Birmingham, UK,
In the first round
Super Featerweight southpaw Connor Coghill, 7-0 (0), of Hull, Yorkshire, UK, defeatee Dean Jones, 1-16 (0), of Telford, UK, over 4 rounds.