At the Bubble, MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, NV, Saturday Top Rank Boxing – Bob Arum, featured Jose “Chon” Zepeda knocked out Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk in a war of knockdowns in the Main Event for the vacant WBC Silver Super Lightweight title over ESPN+.

In the Main Event southpaw Jose “Chon” Zepeda, 33-2 (25), #139.9, of La Puente, CA, knocked out Russian Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk, 20-2 (13), #139.6, of Miami, OK, at 2:50 of the fifth round in a war for the vacant WBC Silver Super Lightweight title, of a scheduled 12 rounds.

In the first round Baranchyk scored a pair of knockdowns with good left hooks. In the second round Zepeda rocked Baranchyk only to be countered by a right on the jaw getting dropped. In the third a left to the head from Zepeda dropped Baranchyk for an 8 count.

In the fourth round a lead left from Zepeda on the chin dropped Baranchyk near the end of the round. In the fifth round referee Bayless scored a standing knockdown for Baranchyk. Zepeda knocked out Baranchyk with a left uppercut on the chin. Referee Bayless didn’t need to count.

“I feel great. It was a hard fight. I’m always doubting myself,” said Zepeda.

In the co-feature Lightweight Gabriel Flores, Jr., 19-0 (6), #131.7, of Las Vegas, NV, defeated Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski, 30-5 (11), #131, of Quincy, MASS, over 10 rounds.

In the first round a left hook from Kielczweski on the chin of Flores rocked him halfway through the round. In the second and third rounds Flores came back well. In the fifth round Flores used a flurry of punches to body and head.

In the next four rounds Flores held an edge in a close fight. In the tenth and final round Kielczweski kept coming on in a good tough fight where Flores did a little more.

Scores were Giampa 100-90, Moretti 99-91 and Weisfeld 98-92 with this writer 97-93. Referee Russell Mora.

Heavyweight Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello, 7-0-1 (7), #238.7, of Italy and Las Vegas, NV, drew with Nigeria’s Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh, 5-1-1 (4), #276.8, of Phoenix, AZ, over 6 rounds.

In the second round Vianello suffered a cut on his left eyelid. In the fourth round Ibeh landed a good left hook to the chin of Vianello rocking him. In the fifth and sixth rounds both fighters were rocked. At the end Ibeh suffered a small cut on the outside of his right eye.

Scores were Byrd 59-55 and Flores and Jarman 57-57 twice as did this writer have it.

Featherweight Duke Ragan, 2-0 (1), #126.4, of Cincinnati, OH, defeated late sub John Moraga, 1-2 (1), #127.7, of Phoenix, AZ, over 4 rounds.

In the first two rounds each won one. In the third round Ragan had swelling under his right eye winning the round. In the fourth and final round Ragan boxed his way to victory.

Scores were 60-54 and 59-55 by this writer.

Making his debut Featherweight Haven “Hit Man” Brady, Jr., 1-0 (1), #125.9, of Albany, GA, stopped Gorwar Karyah, 2-2 (2), #124, of Liberia and Philadelphia, PA, at 2:27 of the fourth and final round.

In the first round Karyah pulled down the head of Brady causing a low blow ruled by referee Russell Mora. After 5 minutes of rest Karyah managed to get through the round. In the fourth round a point was taken from Karyah for continuous holding from the first round. Brady had Karyah defenseless against the ropes when referee Mora wisely called a halt.

Super Featherweight Frevian “Pequeno Gigante” Gonzalez, 4-0 (1), #131.8, of Cidra, PR, won a majority decision over Carlos Marrero lll, 2-4-1 (0), #130.5, of Bridgeport, CT, over 4 rounds.

In the first round it was all action by both fighters. In the following three rounds Gonzalez had the edge while Marrero kept in there countering the oncoming Gonzalez.

Scores were Moretti and Flores 40-36 and Byrd as usual a questionable 38-38. This writer had it 39-37. Referee was Kenny Bayless.

Heavyweight James “Jimmy the Bull” Barnes, 1-1 (1), #290.6, of Pine City, MN, was stopped by Mitchell “The Sniper” Sipe, 1-0 (1), #248.9, at 0:43 of the first round of a scheduled 4 rounds.

In the first round a Sipe right on the chin dropped Barnes who took an 8-count from referee Robert Hoyle. It was two former MMA sluggers throwing punches in bunches with Barnes taking half a dozen before the referee wisely stopped it.

Welterweight Matthew Reed, 1-1 (1), #149.4, of Bakersfield, CA, knocked out by Wilfred “JJ” Mariano, 3-0 (2), #144, of Reno, NV, at 1:47 of the first in a scheduled 4 rounds.

In the first round a left hook on the chin from Mariano and down went Reed and out.