At the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, CT, Saturday, TGB Promotions – Tom Brown, featured in the Main Event after 15 months of inactivity former IBF World Light Welterweight champion Sergey “Samurai” Lipinets ended in a majority draw against WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight champion Custio “War Machine” Clayton, for the interim IBF World Welterweight title. In the co-feature unbeaten Xavier Martinez came off the canvas twice to defeat Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero, over Showtime.
In the Main Event No. 3 ranked IBF Sergey “Samurai” Lipinets, 16-1-1 (12), #147, of KAZ, Russia and Beverly Hills, PA, ended in a majority draw with No. 5 ranked IBF Custio “War Machine” Clayton, 18-0 (12), #147, of Ottawa, Ontario, CAN, for interim IBF World Welterweight title, over 12 rounds.
The first three rounds went to Lipinets who outworked Clayton with little action from both fighters. In the fourth round except from a couple of body shots from Clayton it seemed Lipinets outworked him. In the fifth and sixth rounds Clayton picked up the action taking a close round with counter body shots.
In the seventh round Lipinets picked up the pace to edge out Clayton. In the eighth and nine rounds Clayton used his counter punching well in the second half of each round. In the tenth and eleventh rounds Lipinets outworked Clayton. In the twelfth and final round Clayton countered well enough to take the round. Referee was David Fields.
Scores were Glen Feldman and Tom Schreck 114-114 and Don Trella 115-113 Clayton while this writer had it 115-113 Lipinets.
“I thought I won the fight by a round. He was tough and stronger. I no fight for a year and it showed. I’d like a rematch,” said Lipinets. “At the end of the day I can’t question the judge’s decisions but I thought I won the fight. He was a strong fighter. I thought I fought a smart fight and pulled it off. I would like a rematch as long as a title was at stake,” said Clayton.
In the co-feature Super Featherweight No. 7 ranked Xavier Martinez, 16-0 (11), #130, of Sacramento, CA, came off the canvas twice to defeat No. 4 ranked southpaw Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero, 24-5 (17), #130, of Santo Domingo, DR, in a WBA title eliminator over 12 rounds.
In the first four rounds it was all Martinez outworking Marrero who has swelling under his right eye. In the fifth round Marrero came back to outwork Martinez for the most part. In the sixth and seventh rounds Martinez came back to take both rounds.
In the eighth round Marrero dropped Martinez with a right on the chin. He jumped on Martinez with a flurry of punches for a second knockdown and another 8-count by referee Arthur Mercante, Jr. both within the first minute of the round. Martinez was able to work back to get through the round. Marrero let Martinez off the hook.
In the ninth round Marrero allowed Martinez to get back into the fight. In the tenth round Marrero came back well. Both fighters had swelling under the eyes. In the eleventh round Martinez seemed to outwork Marrero. In the twelfth and final round Marrero spent the first half of the round moving and not punching. He then started coming forward but not enough to win the round.
Scores were Feldman 116-111 while both Carasone and McKaie had it 116-112. This writer scored 115-111.
“I got the will to win after getting dropped I could come back and win it. I thought I slipped in the first knockdown,” said Martinez.
Super Lightweight Malik “Iceman” Hawkins, 18-1 (11), #140 Ľ, of Baltimore, MD, stopped after the sixth round by ring physician due to injury from Subriel “Browny” Matias, 16-1 (16), #139 1/2, of Fajardo, PR, scheduled for 10 rounds.
In the first round Hawkins moved around the ring and Matias couldn’t but the ring off landing few punches while Hawkins jab and rights scored. In the second round Matias scored more, but not as much as Hawkins who again took the round. In the third round Matias with hands to his side chased Hawkins and had a good body attack making Hawkins clinch, taking the round. In the fourth round Hawkins warned by referee Johnny Callas for continual holding. Both fighters had their moments in a close round. In the fifth round punches from Matias to the head of Hawkins had him rattled and under the right eye swelling.
In the sixth round Hawkins took a knee from a Matias left hook on the head for a knockdown call by referee Callas. The ring physician checked Hawkins between rounds due to his right eye closed and stopped the fight. After taking the first two rounds by the fifth Hawkins looked done. For some reason ring announcer Jimmy Lennon announced stoppage at 0:1 of the 7th round. All three judges had it 59-54 after six rounds with this writer 58-55.