In the early hours of Sunday morning Madison Square Garden gave us a packed night of action. Here’s my fight night review of all the action.
Sergey Kovalov V Vyacheslav Shabranskyy
Sergey Kovalov shows he still has plenty to offer as he scores a stunning 2nd round knockout to once again become the world champion.
In the 1st round both men came out looking to work off the jab, then out of nowhere really Kovalov landed a trademark right hand and Shabranskyy hits the canvas but he beat the count. Now Kovalov is going looking for the finish, and with 18 seconds left in the round he lands another right hand and Shabrnskyy goes down again he beat the count but he looks very unsteady. In the 2nd Kovalov came out looking for the finish and he rocked Shabranskyy, Kovalov is just able to pick him off then the inevitable happened as he goes down again, he beat the count. However Kovalov just keeps landing big right hands and gave the referee no choice but to stop the fight.
Sullivan Barrera V Felix Valera
Sullivan Barrera wins a wide unanimous decision.
The 1st round was a feeling out round both men just trying to find their range. Then out of nowhere Barrera hit the canvas he beat the count and Valera went looking for the finish. At the end of the round Valera hit the canvas. In the 2nd the leather started to fly with both men just swinging for the fences. It looks like Barrera has a cut over his eye. In the 3rd Barrera was caught with a low blow and Valera had a point deducted. Barrera seen to settled the better staying on the front foot and landing some nice shots. In the 4th Barrera came out looking to land power shots. It looks to me like Valera doesn’t want to be there and he’s just looking for that 1 big shot.
Going into the second half of the fight I had Barrera 3 up. The 5th was a much better boxing round with both men having success. In the 6th Barrera was working well off the jab, then he was caught with another low blow and Valera had another point deducted these deductions could cost him the fight. Valera started landing some big shots I think he’s very annoyed at the point deductions. In the 7th it looks like Barrera is looking for the knockout and it looks like Valera is scared to go to the body because of those point deductions. In the 8th Barrera looked to step on the gas and look for the stoppage. There seems to be less and less coming back from Valera. Midd way through the round Valera had yet another point deducted this is getting beyond a joke now, this referee has spoilt what should have been a good fight. At the start of the 9th Barrera had a point deducted for a low blow. It was a quiet round with the better work coming from Barrera.
Going into the final round I had it wide to Barrera but only because of the point deductions. In the 10th both men seemed happy to let their hands go, and Barrera was having the better of it. Towards the end of the round Valera was rocked but he made it to the bell.
Sullivan Barrera V Felix Valera
Yuriokis Gamboa wins a split decision after coming off the floor.
The 1st round started slowly but by midd way through the round the punches started to flow, it was a close round but I think Sosa just edged it. In the 2nd Gamboa was working well off the jab, but Sosa kept coming back. Toward the end of the round Sosa landed some nice shots to the body and a big shot to the head. In the 3rd both men were willing to let their hands go, but Sosa was getting the better of the exchangers. Gamboa started the 4th well but as soon as Sosa got on the inside he was having the better of it. If Gamboa wants to win this fight he needs to stay on the outside and make Sosa work.
Going into the second half of the fight I had Sosa 2 up, but it is still a close fight. In the 5th both were landing big shots it seems like a matter of time before one of them hits the canvas. However you could see that both men were starting to feel the pace. In the 6th again Gamboa started well landing some nice shots. However Sosa was doing a good job of catching Gamboa on the counter. At the start of the 7th Sosa went looking for the stoppage he did make Gamboa touch down, but he beat the count and he didn’t look hurt. Gamboa came back into the round well but Sosa should put the pressure on and he will get the stoppage. In the 8th Gamboa came back well and Sosa was missing a lot. It’s like he knows he’s behind and he needs a big round. Gamboa started the 9th well landing nice shots to the body but he can’t sustain the attack.
Going into the final round I still had Sosa up but Gamboa is coming on strong. In the 10th the better work was coming from Sosa. Midd way through the round Gamboa had a point deducted for holding. At the final bell I had Sosa 2 up.
Comment below and let me know what you thought of all the action.
Entertaining night of boxing glad of review could not have stayed up to watch it cheers Chris.