At the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL, on Saturday over DAZN, Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn presented 2-division world champion the WBO World Middleweight Champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, defending for the fourth time in a war defeated No. 2 ranked and British champion Liam “The Machine” Williams over 12 rounds. Matchmaker was Eric Bottjer.
In the Main Event WBO World Middleweight champion southpaw Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, 30-0 (18), #159 1/2, of Providence, RI, defeated Liam “The Machine” Williams, 23-3-1 (18), #160, of Church Village, Wales, UK, scoring a knockdown over 12 action packed rounds.
Thirty seconds into the first round a chopping left from Andrade onto the right eye of Williams rocked him. On shaky legs Williams managed to get through the round. In the second round with thirty seconds remaining a straight left from Andrade on the chin and down went Williams for a nine count from referee Roberto Ramirez, Jr. He managed to get through the round. In the third round with a minute remaining a right from Andrade on the chin rocked Williams who fought back well. In the fourth round Williams outworked Andrade who seemed uncomfortable throughout the round.
In the fifth round Andrade landed four right uppercuts to the chin of Williams over a span of twenty seconds. Williams never stopped coming forward making it interesting. In the sixth round it was Andrade landing numerous punches to the body and chin of Williams in the second half of the round. In the final seconds of the seventh round a Andrade right on the chin had Williams out on his feet holding onto the bell.
In the eighth round Williams never stopped coming forward walking into Andrade body shots. With a minute left in the ninth round Williams landed his best punch of the night a right on the chin having Andrade holding on for the most part of the round. In the tenth round it went back and forth.
In the twelfth and final round halfway through a right on the chin rocked Williams who had no quit in him. Andrade had to wonder what he had to do to stop the “Machine” from Wales. What a fight! Andrade showed Williams much respect afterwards.
Scores were 116-111, 118-109 twice with this writer 116-111.
“I have to go back and see what I did. Listen, Liam Williams is a tough and rough fighter. He’s a dog. He came here to win. He got up from a knockdown. For me it was great. I shouldn’t have to chase any of the champions. To prove I’m the best and they we have to get in the ring together,” said Andrade.
“He’s a great fighter. He’s very slippery to hit more than I thought. I know I’m tough and so does everybody else. I have a world of respect for him, top quality. He’s the best of the champions,” said Williams.
In the co-feature IBO World Super Middleweight champion and 2-time Olympian southpaw Carlos Gongora, 20-0 (15), #167, of Esmeraldas, Ecuador and Boston, MASS, dominated in stopping southpaw Christopher “Sweet Pea” Pearson, 17-3 (12), #167, of Dayton, OH, at 2:17 of the eighth round of a 12.
In the first five rounds the taller southpaw of the two Gongora dominated with his jab followed by lefts to the chin keeping Pearson at bay with landing little in return.
In the sixth round’s final seconds Gongora rocked Pearson with a left uppercut on the chin. By the end of the seventh round Pearson’s right eye was closing. In the eighth round a hook off a jab from Gongora on the damaged right eye of Pearson and down he went. At the count of 8 from referee Frank Gentile Pearson was up turning his back looking to his corner holding his eye then dropping to a knee forcing an end to the mismatch.
Heavyweight Russian 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Mahammadrasul Majivod, 3-1 (3), #232, of Baku, AZE, was stopped by Andrey Fedosov, 32-3 (26), #224 2/3, of Shuya, Russia and Hollywood, CA, at 1:24 of the first round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first round Mahammadrasul showed a solid jab. Near the halfway point a jab followed by a right from Fedosov on the chin and down went Mahammadrasul with his right ankle twisted. He beat the count but was limping when Fedosov landed a grazing right to the side of the head of Mahammadrasul and down he went again holding his ankle getting counted out by referee Samuel Burgos. He was carried out on a stretcher some 10 minutes later well aware of his surroundings.
Super Welterweight southpaw Olympian Movladdin “The Chechen Wolf” Biyarslanov, 8-0 (6), #137 1/2, of Toronto, CAN, won a majority decision over Israel “Bad Ways” Mercado, 9-1 (7), #136 1/4, of Pamona, CA, over 8 action rounds.
In the final minute of the second round Biyarslanov hurt Mercado with a left hook to the body. In the final seconds Biyarslanov landed a big left to the chin of Mercado. Halfway into the fourth round Mercado landed a pair of rights on the chin of Biyarslanov. Then in the final seconds a good left hook from Mercado on the chin of Biyarslanov. In the sixth round Mercado landed the lead right to the southpaw Biyarslanov’s chin half a dozen times. In the seventh at the halfway point both fighters landed hard blows to the chin. In the final minute Biyarslanov landed a five punch combination starting with a right hook to the body of Mercado. In the eighth and final round it was close with Biyarslanov in the first half with Mercado ending well with a flurry of punches.
Scores were 76-76, 78-74 and 77-75 as did this writer have it.
Lightweight Otha Jones lll, 5-1-1 (2) #134, of Toledo, OH, lost by majority decision to Jorge David Castaneda, 14-1 (11), #135, of Laredo, TX, over 8 rounds.
Middleweight Alexis Espino, 8-0 (5), #166 1/4, of Las Vegas, NV, defeated southpaw Ty “God’s Assassin” McLeod, 6-1 (6), #164, of Sarasota, FL, over 6 good rounds.
In the second round in the final minute Espino rocked McLeod with a right to the southpaw’s chin. In the final 30 seconds a flurry of punches from Espino having McLeod pinned in a corner almost halted the bout but he backed off. In the third round halfway in McLeod landed a slapping combination drawing blood from the nose of Espino. In the fifth round Espino busted up McLeod’s nose and a cut on the right eyebrow. Ring physician checked McLeod between rounds. Asked to stop it by both his corner and physician McLeod declined. In the sixth and final round McLeod showed punching power with lead left to the chin of Espino. Espino got the better of the action. Referee was Samuel Burgos.
Scores were 60-54 and 59-55 twice as did this writer have it.