Navarrete destroys Valdez on the Phoenix night of rematches
Robeisy’s ‘no mas’, Hitchins’ title win and Bentley in fine form
Emanuel Navarrete uncorked a brutal body shot to conclusively end his rivalry with Oscar Valdez. The Mexican pair had already gone to war once before, with Navarrete coming out on top over 12 rounds. On this occasion, in the Footprint Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, Navarrete was the bully and the boss for as long as it lasted.
Image Credit: Top Rank/ESPN
Valdez’s heart and courage were on display as usual, but once a thudding liver shot landed, he was left grimacing and groaning on the canvas as referee Raul Caiz Jr waved it off at 2-43 of the sixth. Navarrete retained his WBO super-featherweight title.
The night started off tough for Oscar who was down at the close of the first, caught high on the head by a scuffing right hand. He contested the decision as Eddy Reynoso rallied his man in the corner. Valdez bit down on his gumshield and landed some strong shots as the rounds zipped by. It seemed, however, that every time Navarrete landed flush, he could hurt his man.
That came true at the tail end of the fourth round when Valdez hit the deck for the second time. Murmurs of an ankle injury drifted over to the commentators. Valdez lasted another two sessions before the whipping body blow ended it once and for all.
Emanuel Navarrete improved to 39-2-1 (32 KOs), while Valdez is now 32-3 (24 KOs) and stopped for the first time. The judges all had Navarrete well ahead at the fight’s conclusion: Benoit Roussell, 49-44, Steve Weisfeld, 50-43, Chris Wilson, 49-44.
Robeisy Ramirez quits in Rafael Espinoza rematch
While the main event ended in a one-sided mauling, the chief supporting contest garnered many headlines as Robeisy Ramirez committed that ultimate boxing sin of quitting mid-fight. This one was so unapologetically explicit that it came as a shock.
Image Credit: Top Rank/ESPN
Champion Rafael Espinoza remains the WBO featherweight king (a title he took from the Cuban last December) and is not afraid to use every physical asset to prevail. His size, workrate and errant elbows were all on display here. Ramirez complained bitterly about the latter. However, it was a poking right hand that caused Robeisy to raise the white flag.
Richardson Hitchins pounds Liam Paro in Puerto Rico
Top talent Richardson Hitchins finally delivered on the world-level abilities many felt he always possessed to grab the IBF 140-pound title off Liam Paro in Puerto Rico. Hitchins was ruffled and rocked by Gustavo Lemos in his elimination bout for this shot and has delivered tepid displays in the past when signed under the PBC banner.
Following a competitive first third of the fight, where Aussie champ Paro had success with the straight left, Hitchins got his jab working, landed some sizzling right hands, and busted up Paro’s nose. This is finally the performance Richardson has so often promised. A clash with Teofimo Lopez could be on the horizon.
After beating the beastly Subriel Matias to win this belt, Paro hopes to avoid the same fate as his fellow countryman, George Kambosos, who gave a career-best display to topple Teofimo before swiftly finding his level and staying there.
Denzel Bentley beats Brad Pauls to become a three-time British champion
There was still a touch of magnificence to be found within the flagging ‘Magnificent 7’ franchise as Denzel Bentley defeated Brad Pauls in a cracking main event at Wembley Arena on Saturday evening. Sam Noakes pummelled veteran Ryan Walsh over 12 rounds. Only Walsh’s toughness and experience allowed him to hear the final bell.
Image Credit: Sporting News via Queensberry Promotions
Lawrence Okolie made his heavyweight debut with a heavy-handed, heavy-bellied one-round KO of a hapless foe. ‘The Sauce’ only slightly outdid fellow London heavy David Adeleye, who banjoed Solomon Dacres in round one to take home the English heavyweight title.
About Steve…
Current existence: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine.
Previous lives: Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com