TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions over USA Showtime Saturday brought the boxing fans two world title fights and one title eliminator at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV,
WBA and IBO Super Welterweight Champion Cuban southpaw Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara, 25-3-2 (14), out of Las Vegas, NV, lost a split decision to IBF Junior Middleweight Champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd, 22-0 (15), out of Accokeek, MD, in a unification bout.
In the first round Hurd was the aggressor with southpaw Lara countering well. Just prior to the bell, Lara landed a 3-punch combination to the head of Hurd. In the second round Lara landed a 3-punch combination to the head of Hurd. Lara was landing combinations throughout the round. Referee Kenny Bayless warned Lara for low blows.
In the third round Hurd lands a good uppercut to the chin of Lara who came back with left uppercuts to the body of Hurd. Near the end of the round Lara landed a solid left to the chin of Hurd. In the fourth round Lara landed a combination to the head of Hurd. Hurd came back with three rights hands to the chin of Lara. Hurd landed a good right knocking Lara back a step. Lara dropped his hands trying to bait Hurd in. Lara landed a left lead to the chin of Hurd.
In the fifth round Lara gets off first while the taller Hurd is doing little in return. Hurd came back landing a 3-puinch combination. Lara landed uppercuts to the chin of Hurd in a close round to score. In the sixth round Hurd continues to be the aggressor but is getting countered well by Lara. Lara landed a right hook to the head of Hurd. Inside the final minute of the round Lara landed a hard right uppercut rocking Hurd.
In the seventh round Hurd continues throwing punches but not with accuracy. Lara landed a good right hook to the chin of Hurd. Hurd landed a pair of uppercuts to the chin of Lara. Hurd ended the round with a good right to the chin of Lara. In the eighth round Hurd starts landing short right punches without return. Lara landed a solid lead left to the chin of Hurd. Hurd landed half a dozen punches without return from Lara. Hurd landed a lead right to the chin of Lara. It was a big round for Hurd.
In the ninth round Hurd lands four jabs to the chin of Lara. At the mid point of the round both are going to the body of one another. Lara had swelling over and under the right eye. In the tenth round Hurd landed half a dozen right hands to the head of Lara. Lara comes back with a counter combination to the chin of Hurd. Hurd ended the last ten seconds landing three punches without return.
In the eleventh round inside Hurd landed several right uppercuts to the chin of Lara. Lara landed solid right hands to the chin of Hurd. In the twelfth and final round Lara landed four punches inside without return. Hurd landed a solid right uppercut to the chin of Lara. Hurd was landing uppercut after uppercut to the chin of Lara. Out of nowhere right upper cut followed by a left hook from Hurd on the chin of Lara dropped Lara who barely beat the count of referee Kenny Weeks.
Judge Bert Clemens had it 114-113 for Lara. Judge Glenn Feldman had it 114-113 for Hurd. Judge Dave Moretti had it 114-113 for Hurd. This writer had it 114-113 for Lara.
“I want to thank God and felt I was winning throughout the fight,” said Hurd. “I thought I won the fight. I couldn’t see in the last round due to the cut,” said Lara.
In a rematch IBF Super Welterweight Champion “Golden” Caleb Truax, 29-4-2 (18), out of Osseo, MINN, lost his title to the former IBF champion southpaw James “Chunky” DeGale, 24-2-1 (14), of St. Albans, UK, over 12 rounds.
In the first round DeGale started out being much busier than Truax. The referee Robert Byrd missed DeGale coming in with his head into the face of Truax who immediately backed up holding his mouth as the referee and DeGale just stood there. In the second round once again DeGale came in with his head into the face of Truax without referee Byrd not even checking either fighter for any damage. Truax finally landed a good lead right to the chin of DeGale.
In the third round DeGale continued to use the ring backing up and countering. Truax landed a right to the head of DeGale hurting DeGale. Truax came in with his head opening a cut over the right eye of DeGale. It was a big round for Truax. In the fourth round Truax pressed the action as DeGale’s cut was flowing down the side of his face. DeGale seems to trying to avoid mixing it up with Truax who kept pressing DeGale.
In the fifth round it’s Truax chasing DeGale who counters when he stops moving. With just twelve seconds to go in the round referee Byrd calls in the ring physician to check DeGale’s cut. In the sixth round while inside DeGale landed a left uppercut to the chin of Truax. Truax came right back with several punches of his own to the chin of DeGale. DeGale continued wiping the blood from his cut.
In the seventh round DeGale kept both hands to his side on occasions trying to land an uppercut. The fight got very sloppy with many clinches. Near the end of the round Truax suffered a small cut over his left eye. In the eighth round DeGale comes in with his head following with left uppercuts. The round was full of clinches with both boxers showing some fatigue with Truax receiving another cut with this one over his right eye.
In the ninth round Truax comes forward and DeGale countering but neither are landing much in this round. Once again, too much holding. In the tenth round DeGale finally got warned for using his shoulder inside by referee Byrd. DeGale once again used the forearm and referee Byrd took away a point. DeGale ended the round with a flurry of punches.
In the eleventh round DeGale landed a good right to the mid-section of Truax. Inside DeGale landed a combination to the chin of Truax. DeGale landed an overhand left to the head of Truax. In the twelfth and final round it’s Truax doing the holding. DeGale is landing more punches as Truax seemed to be out of gas.
Judge Hoyle had it 114-113, judge McKaie 117-110 and judge Trella 114-113 all for the winner. This writer had it 115-112 for Truax.
“I thought I showed a lot of heart (considering the cut) and felt the referee should not have taken a point away,” said DeGale. “I thought I won the fight but admit I was flat tonight,” said Truax.
In an IBF Super Welterweight elimination match Julian “J Rock” Williams, 25-1-1 (15), out of Philadelphia, PA, with a big second half of the fight defeated Jamaican Nathaniel “No Problem” Gallimore, 20-2-1 (17), out of Evanston, IL, over 12 rounds.
In the first round Williams landed first with a jab and a right to the chin of Gallimore. Williams landed a right to the body of Gallimore. In the second round Gallimore became the aggressor and got hit with a Williams left hook to the body. Williams missed with a left hook and was countered by a right to the chin from Gallimore. It was a close round with Williams using a much more effective jab.
In the third round Williams landed a left hook to the chin of Gallimore who countered with a right uppercut to the chin. Williams came right back with a double left hook to the body. Williams ended the round with a left hook to the body of Gallimore who countered with a right uppercut to the body. In the fourth round Williams landed a right followed by a left hook to the body of Gallimore. Williams landed a 3-punch combination to the head and body of Gallimore. Gallimore came back with a solid left hook. Both ended the round with the most action in the fight up until now.
In the fifth round Williams controlled with his jab but Gallimore used more power punches especially with the uppercut. Several infractions in the round that referee Tony Weeks never warned either fighter. An accidental clash of heads caused a slight cut under the left eyebrow of Williams. In the sixth round Williams boxing well with Gallimore’s accuracy not so good and little use of his jab.
In the seventh round both are working on the body for the most part. There was too much clinching in the round. Both exchanged left hooks to the body. In the eighth round Williams landed a 3-punch combination of the head of Gallimore. Gallimore has a good right uppercut to the chin of Williams due to the inside fighting he’s landing it more. Williams walked into a left hook to the chin but came back with one of his own. Williams landed a solid right to the chin of Gallimore near the end of the round.
In the ninth round Williams landed a good left hook to the chin of Gallimore who seems to look some what winded. Williams landed a right followed by a right to the head of Gallimore. At the ten second warning Williams landed a straight right to the chin of Gallimore. In the tenth round both exchanged left hand body shots. Gallimore landed a combination. Williams landed a solid right uppercut to the chin of Gallimore. Williams landed a short right to the head of Gallimore with less than twenty seconds left in the round.
In the eleventh round Gallimore came out landing quite a few body shots. Williams landed three uppercuts to the chin of Gallimore. Williams landed a powerful left hook to the head hurting Gallimore. Williams is all over Gallimore with a flurry of head punches without return. Williams landed a 3-punch combination at the bell to the head of Gallimore. Gallimore looked exhausted at the end of the round and wobbled back to his corner. It was a big round for Williams. In the twelfth and final round Williams landed a 3-punch combination to the head of Gallimore but was warned to keep his punches up. Gallimore got Williams attention with a left hook to the head of Williams. Williams seemed to take the last six rounds after a close first six rounds.
Judge Patricia Morse Garman had it 114-114, Eric Cheek 116-112 and Max De Luca 117-111. This writer had it 118-110.
Middleweight Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, 28-5-2 (9), of L.A. Mexican Alfredo “Perro” Angulo, 24-6 (20), out of Coachella, CA,