Matchroom Boxing USA – Eddie Hearn and matchmaker – Eric Bottjer Thursday over DAZN brought in three world title fights to the Meridian at Island Gardens, Miami, FL. In the co-feature southpaw IBF World Super Featherweight champion Philly’s Tevin “American Idol” Farmer lost in his fifth defense in seventeen months. In the Main Event southpaw WBO World Middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade made his eighth defense of his title in a sloppy fight. In the third title fight WBA Super World & IBF World Super Bantamweight champion Daniel “Danny the Baby Face Assassin” lost to Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
In the co-feature southpaw IBF World Super Featherweight champion Tevin “American Idol” Farmer, 30-5-1 (6), #130, out of Philadelphia, PA, lost his title to 2012 Olympian No. 11 ranked southpaw Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz, 31-1 (15), 129 ¾”, of Downey, CA, over exciting 12 rounds.
In the first round both fighters had their moments. Farmer may have hurt his right hand. Diaz landed many punches on the back without warning but warned for hitting behind the head. In the second round near the halfway mark Diaz got cut over his left eye by an accidental clash of heads. In the final ten seconds both got in a good shot to the chin.
In the third round due to the cut Diaz came out firing with Farmer holding his own for the most part. In the fourth round Farmer worked on the cut of Diaz and did well in taking the round. In the fifth round Diaz warned for holding. This was a close round.
In the sixth round Diaz came out working well working on the body of Farmer who held his own in another close round. In the seventh and eighth rounds the action continued again close with both fighters landing well. In the ninth round Diaz warned to stop holding and hitting. Diaz seemed to be the busier of the two.
In the tenth round with the action continuing to be inside fighting and Diaz the more accurate. In the eleventh round the cut of Diaz was well taken care of. Farmer’s right may have been hurt the entire fight. Diaz has been finishing well.
In the twelfth and final round both fighters are letting it all hang out though more clinches in this round than any other. Diaz finished the stronger of the two.
Judges scores were Richard Green 115-113 with John Rupert and Alex Levin 116-112 as did this writer have it.
“I thank God and know if you believe in yourself you can win,” said Diaz. “He fought a hell of a fight. I hurt my right hand in the first round. He deserved the win. We will do it again”, said Farmer.
In the Main Event 2008 Olympian and WBO World Middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, 29-0 (18), #159 1/2, stopped No. 3 ranked “Cool Hand” Luke Keeler, 17-3-1 (5), #159 ¼, of Dublin, IRE, at 2:59 of the ninth round in a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first round the first punch a left on the chin from Andrade and down went Keeler for the 8-count of referee Telis Assimenios. He managed to get thru the round. In the second round an overhand left on the chin by Andrade had Keeler down for a second time in the closing minute of the round.
In the third round there was little landing of punches by either boxer. In the fourth round more of the same. This bout is very sloppy. Andrade loading up with a shot allowing Keeler back into the fight. In the fifth round the lack of action continued. Keeler had Andrade in head locks and Andre certainly not looking like a champion with his amatuerish showing. Same for the referee.
In the seventh and eighth rounds neither fighter did enough to win the round. In the ninth round as the bell sounded the ref stopped the fight.
WBA Super World and IBF World Super Bantamweight champion Daniel “Danny The Baby Face Assassin” Roman, 27-3-1 (10), #121 1/2, out of L.A., CA, lost a split decision to 2016 Bronze Medalist Olympian and No. 1 WBA ranked southpaw Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev, 8-0 (6), #121 1/2, out of UZE, and Indio, CA, over 12 exciting rounds.
In the first round Roman out boxed hard hitting Akhmadaliev. In the second round both mixed it up well. In the final thirty seconds Akhmadaliev landed a hard left on the right side of the neck of Roman.
In the third round Roman picked up the pace pressing Akhmadaliev looking to edge out the round. In the fourth and fifth rounds the action continued with body shots coming from both on the main part. In the fifth round Akhmadaliev hurt Roman in the final seconds of the round with a combination on the chin.
In the sixth round Akhmadaliev landed overhand lefts to the chin. Roman came back well from the end of the previous round. Akhmadaliev landed a punch after the round and got warned by referee Frank Gentile. In the seventh round the body shots continued with Roman gaining the edge.
In the eighth round Roman controlled up to the last thirty seconds when Akhmadaliev came on strong but in the final five seconds Roman landed well with one after the bell getting a warning from referee Gentile. In the ninth round both fighters had their moments with Akhmadaliev finishing the stronger of the two. Roman had a small cut over the right eyelid.
In the tenth round Akmadaliev seemed to be just as strong as from the beginning of the fight. Roman had his moments but not enough to win the round. In the eleventh round both had their moments.
In the twelfth and final round it was all Roman with Akmadalieve running around the ring like he had the fight. Roman did good body work with several uppercuts to the chin.
Judges Rodolfo Aguilar 115-113 Roman, Carlos Sucre and Nelson Vazquez 115-113 Akmadaliev with this writer having it 114-114.
“I’ve never won a championship in the amateurs but winning the title as a pro (thanking his current and past amatuer coaches) and God. I knew it was going to be a tough fight,” said Akmadaliev. “I thought I won the fight. He was a good and strong fighter. He was the better man tonight and would like a rematch”, said Roman
Super Middleweight Anthony “The Magician” Sims, Jr., 20-1 (18), #168, out of Compton, CA, lost a split decision to WBO Latino champion Roamer Alexis Angulo, 26-1 (22), #167 1/2, out of COL and Miami, FL, over 12 dull rounds.
In the first three rounds Sims used the ring well dancing and jabbing a frustrated Angulo who hardly landed a punch. In the fourth round Angulo finally got in some body shots. In the final twenty seconds he landed a solid left hook to the chin of Sims. Sims was dipping down too often and when he did Angulo got on him.
In the fifth round referee Chris Young took away a point from Angulo for pushing down on Sim’s back for the third time. Sims continues moving and jabbing. In the seventh round halfway thru Angulo landed a solid left hook to the chin of Sims. Simms trainer warned him before the round he needed a knockout.
In the eighth round it was close with Sims boxing well but not a crowd pleaser in his performance. In the ninth round Sims continued rarely using his right hand. Angulo roughed him up holding the back of the ducking Sims head down with left and chopping him behind the head with no warnings.
In the tenth and final round Simms still kept dancing and jabbing while Angulo got in a few body shots.
Ref Chris Young Judges Richard Green 95-94 Sims Gloria Martinez Rizzo and Rocky Young 96-93 Angulo while this writer had lit 98-91 Simms.
Featherweight southpaw Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, 38-1-1 (28), #131 1/2, out of PR and Brooklyn, NY, stopped Simone Aparecida Da, 17-14 (6), #131 1/2, out of Sao Paulo, BRZ, at 0:53 of the third of a scheduled 8.
In the first round Serrano boxed well. Serrano hurt Aparecida Da in the final ten seconds with a right hook on the chin. In the second round a flurry of punches ending with a left on the chin dropped Aparecida Da for an 8-count by referee Burgos just prior to the bell. In the third round Serrano used a vicious body attack stopping Aparecida with referee Burgos stopping it.
A bout with world champion Katie Taylor is next for Serrano.
Lightweight Otha Jones III, 5-0 (2), #134 ¾, out of Toledo, OH, won by tko in 2 over Juan Santiago, 16-18 (9), #132 ¼, out of Denver, CO, in a scheduled 6.
Light Heavyweight Jake “The Problem Child” Paul, 1-0 (1), #191 ¾, out of Big Bear, CA, stopped Ali “Beast from the East” Gib, 2-1 (0), #188, out of Saudi Arabia and London, UK, at 2:18 of the first round.
In the first round a jab from Paul almost dropped Gib while a right to the chin dropped him once and a left hook once. Upon rising Gib got beat up until referee Chris Young wisely stopped the mismatch. Paul had a bloody nose.
Former world champ “Sugar” Shane Mosley trained Paul.
Super Middleweight Alexis Espino, 5-0 (4), #165, out of Las Vegas, NV, stopped Vincent “Cato” Baccus, 4-2-1 (3), #165, out of Okmulgee, OK, at 1:49 of the third of a scheduled six rounds.
In the second round in the final twenty seconds Espino landed a left counter to the chin of Baccus knocking him back several steps. In the third round at the halfway mark a left hook from Espino onthe chin of Baccus dropped him for 8-count by referee Sam Burgos. Espino jumped all over him forcing the stoppage.
Middleweight southpaw Austin “Ammo” Williams, 5-0 (4), #159 ¾, out of Houston, TX, stopped Donald Sanchez, 5-3 (3), #159 1/2, out of Albuquerque, NM, at 2:51 of round 4 in a scheduled 6.
In the first round near the end of the first minute Williams landed a pair of lefts on the chin. Half a minute later Williams almost knocked Sanchez down with a left on the forehead. In the second round in the final minute a lead overhand left from William on the chin of Sanchez and down he went for an 8-count by referee Telis Assimenios. He managed to get thru the round.
In the third round at the halfway mark Williams landed a left on the chin of Sanchez spinning the latter completely around. In the fourth round half a minute gone a lead left from Williams on the chin of Sanchez and down he went for a second time for the 8-count. Near the end if the round a left to body followed by left on the chin and Sanchez went down for the third time in the fight causing referee Assimenios to wisely wave it off.
Ref Chris Young Judges Fernando Barbos Lisa Giampa Rocky Young
David Diamente Ring Announcer