On Saturday night The Manchester Arena gave us a packed night of boxing that will go down in history. Here’s my fight night review of all the action.
Oleksandr Usyk V Tony Bellew
Tony Bellew put in a brave effort before getting knocked out in the 8th round.
The 1st round was very cagey both men just trying to find their range and distance, neither man wanting to commit to early, there was nothing in it. In the 2nd round both men started to work off the jab Usyk is landing more shots, but Bellew was having great success to the body and Bellew is having the better off it. Usyk started the 3rd brightly but Bellew is doing a good job of landing on the counter and Usyk is walking on to shots. In the 4th Bellew started well but then he got caught by a shot from Usyk but he took it well. Then Bellew landed a big shot of his own which troubled Usyk. In the 5th both men were looking to land their shots. It looks like Usyk is having to force his work were as Bellew’s work is flowing.
Going into the second half of the fight I had Bellew 2 rounds up. At the start of the 6th Bellew was caught with a big shot, but he’s not letting Usyk settle. Bellew is working well off the jab, however you can see Usyk is coming into this fight. At the start of the 7th Usyk started going to the body and he got Bellew pinned on the ropes, then he came back with a shot of his own. It looks like Bellew could be feeling the pace. In the 8th Usyk is staying on the front foot rocking Bellew, then Usyk landed a perfect left hand to wipe out Bellew.
Anthony Crolla V Daud Yordan
Anthony Crolla wins a wide unanimous decision to set up a world title shot.
The 1st round started very cagey but Crolla was having success to the body. In the 2nd round both men came out looking to work off the jab, but Crolla still seen to be having the better of it. Crolla was still having success to the body. Yordan has had a better round but Crolla just edged it. Crolla started the 3rd well as the fight started to open up most of Crolla success was when he went to the body, that could pay off later in the fight. At the start of the 4th Yordan started to let his hands go but he’s taking too many shots before he gets off. In the 5th it looked like both men had up the pace still the better quality punches where coming from Crolla.
Going into the second half of the fight Crolla has won every round but it’s a quality fight. At the start of the 6th Crolla continued to go to the body well. Then out of nowhere Yordan landed a good body shot that hurt Crolla , and now he’s going to work landing combinations to the head and body. In the 7th Crolla is still throwing and landing shots but at this point in the fight the better work is coming from Yordan. In the 8th Crolla started brightly landing some good shots it looks like he’s got a 2nd wind. In the 9th Crolla continued to go to the body, but then Yordan came back with combinations of his own.
So into the championship rounds we go and I had Crolla 8 rounds up. In the 10th Yordan started to go for it I think he knows he’s a mile behind on the cards. In the 11th Yordan continued to throw shots but nothing was landing clean but he made Crolla work for every minute of every round
In the final round Yordan gave it everything he had but then back came Crolla with the better quality shots. At the final bell I had Crolla 9 rounds up.
Ricky Burns V Scott Cardle
Ricky Burns scored a stunning 3rd round knockout
In the 1st round both men were looking to use their boxing skills Burns was having the better of it cutting Cardle’s nose. At the start of the 2nd Burns continued to work off the jab then following it up with the right hand. Scott Cardle just looks like he’s been outclassed. In the 3rd round Burns just continued to tee off on Cardle, it doesn’t look like he’s got anything that can hurt Burns or keep him off. Then out of nowhere Burns landed the perfect right hand and he hit the canvas. He made it back to his feet but his legs where gone and the referee stopped the fight.
Josh Kelly V Walter Fabian Castillo
Josh Kelly continued his perfect start to his professional career with an opening round knockout.
In the 1st Kelly came out quickly using his boxing skills and then Castillo hit the canvas. He beat the count but Kelly just continued to land at will giving the referee no choice but to stop the fight.
David Allen V Ariel Esteban Bracomonte
David Allen won after the referee stopped the fight at the end of the 7th round on the advice of the doctor.
In the 1st round Bracomonte came out looking to let his hands go but Allen was doing a good job of keeping his head moving. At the end of the round Allen rocked Bracomonte with an uppercut. In the 2nd Allen was landing some good shots to the head and body but Bracomonte didn’t take a backward step. Toward the end of the round Bracomonte rocked Allen with a big combination. In the 3rd round both men continued to land big shots, Allen was rock but Allen came back with a good shot of his own and Bracomonte looked ready to go but somehow he made it to the bell. At the end of the 4th both men were landing big shots with both men getting rocked. However both men were looking tired.
Going into the second half of the fight in was close on the cards but whomever lands clean next will win. At the start of the 5th Allen landed a big right hand, this was a quiet round with both men feeling the pace. The 6th was another quiet round it’s starting to look like both men would just be happy to go the distance. This is an entertaining fight to watch but it’s not a good advert for heavyweight boxing. The 7th was much the same as the second half of the fight, but toward the end of the round Bracomonte was rocked again and his legs looked gone but again he made it to the bell. At the end of the round the referee stopped the fight on the advice of the doctor Bracomonte was clearly injured.
Sam Hyde V Richard Riakporhe
Richard Riakporhe remained undefeated as the towel came in from Hyde’s corner because of an eye injury.
In the 1st round both men came out looking to work off the jab, it was a close round but I think Riakporhe had the better of it. In the 2nd round Hyde tries to get in close but Riakporhe was able to keep him off with his jab. Toward the end of the round Hyde was having some success to the body. At the start of the 3rd Riakporhe was still working well off the jab he’s winning the rounds but it would be nice to see him let some of his power shots go. In the 4th round Riakporhe was still working and having more success. Midd way through the round Riakporhe started to let his power shots go.
Going into the second half of the fight Riakporhe has won every round Hyde is not boxing badly he’s just getting out worked. In the 5th Riakporhe was still looking to let his hands go. In the 6th Hyde looked to go to work but still the better quality work was still coming from Riakporhe. In the 7th round both were looking to throw power shots. In the 8th round Riakporhe got Hyde pinned on the ropes and Hyde’s eye is really swollen, so much so the towel came in from the corner.
Hope you enjoyed all the action and please comment below and let me know your thoughts.