Josh Warrington vs Hisahi Amagasa
Warrington wins a unanimous decision to move closer to a world title shot.
Both fighters looked up for it as they walked to the ring. When Warrington walked to the ring it looked like the whole of Leeds where behind him.
Warrington got straight down to work in the 1st landing regularly , but Amagasa did have some success of his own. In the 2nd Warrington started to land those trademark body shots. Amagasa kept coming back not letting Warrington have it all he’s own way. Amagasa started the 3rd well at one point it looked like he’d hurt Warrington ,but by the end of the round Warrington was back in control. The 4th was probably Amagasa’s best round because he controlled the centre of the ring and caught Warrington regularly. Amagasa had a good round in the 6th he was forcing Warrington to back up. Going into the second half of the fight I had Warrington up by 2, but at this stage of the fight the momentum was with Amagasa. In the 7th Warrington looked like he was really struggling with Amagasa. In the 8th Warrington had a better round but Amagasa still looked the stronger. In the 9th Warrington rocked Amagasa and then landed some good shots. In the 10th Warrington had another good round landed some real good shots, in the closing stages of the round Warrington hurt Amagasa. At the start of the 11th Amagasa came out swinging but then Warrington hurt Amagasa and started looking for the finish. Going into the 12th I had Warrington up by 2. It the 12th Amagasa gave it all he had I think he knew he needed a knockdown. At the end of the fight I had Warrington up by 3.
That win moves Warrington closer to a world title fight possibly against Lee Selby. I think it would be a good idea if he had a couple more at this level before he steps up.
Stuart Hall v Rodrigo Guerrero
Stuart Hall wins a contentious unanimous points decision to become the IBF mandatory challenger.
Both men walked to the ring looking very confident. In the first round Hall came out looking to control the centre of the ring. Guerrero didn’t look up for it in the first he was missing with a lot of his punches. The 2nd round was much the same as the 1st Hall looked sharper, but Guerrero did have some success to the body. At the start of the 3rd there was an accidental head clash which seem to rattle Guerrero. Mid way through the 3rd Hall took it to Guerrero and I couldn’t help thinking Hall would have him out of there if he had more power. Guerrero seem to be of the verge of losing it mentally after the head clash,however Guerrero was still having some success. In the 4th Guerrero came out swinging landing regularly to Hall’s body. In the 5th round both men went for it both landing big punches. Going into the second half of the fight I had Hall up by 2 it what was becoming a real enthralling fight. The 7th was much the same as the others with both men having success but it felt like the momentum was swinging to Guerrero. The 8th and 9th where both close rounds with both men landing their punches. In the 10th Hall wobbled Guerrero and looked like he was on his way, but Guerrero did well to stay in there. In the 11th Hall started the round the better but Guerrero did well to battle back but the quality punches where still coming from Hall. Going into the 12th I had Hall up by 1. This was a great fight a fight of the year candidate at the end of the fight I had it a draw but you could have scored it ever way. I personally would love to see a rematch between these two.
That win makes Hall mandatory for Lee Haskins belt but you have to feel a bit sorry for Guerrero no way did he lose that fight by 6 rounds.
Also on a packed bill Martin J Ward looked impressive with a unanimous points win.
Now it’s time to look at what happened across the pond.
Jose Pedraza vs Stephen Smith
Hart brake for Stephen Smith as he loses a unanimous decision in his first shot at a world title.
In the ring Smith looked very confident
In the 1st round Smith started well working well off the counter, but Pedraza also landed some good shots but Smith didn’t in anyway look overalled. In the 2nd round Smith had to take some big shots, Smith seem to be struggling with the speed of Pedraza’s jab. In the 3rd round Smith tried to get inside because he knew that he would struggle if it stayed at range. However Smith was still struggling to cope with the hand speed of Pedraza. In the 4th round Smith had a much better round as he was able to land his own shots and he was able to make Pedraza miss. In the 5th Smith picked up were he’d left off in the 4th towards the end of the round Smith seem to be picking Pedraza off, I don’t think Pedraza landed a shot in the 5th. In the 6th Pedraza had a better round but Smith was still landing he’s shots. Going into the second half of the fight I had Smith up by 1 but it’s a tight fight. In the 7th Pedraza seem to find his jab and his rhythm again. In the 8th Smith had a good round he was able to land what ever he wanted and Pedraza had no answer. In the 9th disaster struck when Pedraza put Smith on the canvas, but it looked to me that it was a flash knockdown Smith just walked into the shot after landing one of his own. Smith was struggling after the knockdown his legs looked rubbery. In the championship rounds Smith looked like he was really struggling with Pedraza’s rhythm and hand speed. Going into the 12th Smith needed a knockout to win at the end of the fight I had Pedraza up by 3.
Ok Smith didn’t win the title but he did him self proud and I’m sure he can come again, but he showed in this fight that he belongs at world level.
Gary Russell Jr vs Patrick Hyland
Hyland was outclassed from the first bell he somehow made it through the 1st, but was put down by a big body shot at the start of the 2nd Hyland show courage to beat the count, but Russell moved in for the kill. Hyland was put down for a second and again got up but when he was put down for a third time the referee had no choice but to stop the fight.
That win could set up a big fight with Lee Selby.
Also on the bill Chad Dawson score a 4th knockout to put him back in the world title mix.