Boxing results from the weekend: Conor Benn, Blair Cobbs, Dina Thorslund, More

By Boxing News - 06/22/2019 - Comments

Image: Boxing results from the weekend: Conor Benn, Blair Cobbs, Dina Thorslund, More

Conor Benn survived a scary first round to destroy Juss Koivula with a brutal second-round finish and successfully defend his WBA Continental Welterweight crown. In his first ever headline fight, the 22-year-old Ilford star saw his legs buckled on more than one occasion in the opening session, but he showed his fighting genes in the second, crashing home vicious hooks, dropping his Finnish foe twice before the referee waved off the fight.

Speaking after the fight Benn said: “He tried to bully me and treat me like a young boy but I was not having any of it. I wanted to let him know I am Conor Benn.

I think I did box and then I applied my aggression. Two or three fights ago I might not have done that. I am not the fighter I was then I first started.

“I was not hurt at all, nothing he did even woke me up.”

12 x 3 mins British Super-Welterweight Championship
TED CHEESEMAN v KIERON CONWAY SD12 (116-113, 116-114, 114-114)
(Bermondsey) (Northampton)

Ted Cheeseman had to settle for a frustrating draw in what was the maiden defence of his British Super-Welterweight title against Kieron Conway. The Bermondsey warrior fell short when moving up to challenge for Sergio Garcia’s European title in February, and seemed to have done just enough to successfully defend his Lonsdale belt on his ring return, but scores of 116-113 (Conway) 115-114 (Cheeseman) and 114-114 saw him draw for the first time in the pro ranks. After the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that ‘The Big Cheese’ will likely defend his belt against Preston’s Scott Fitzgerald next.

12 x 3 mins Final Eliminator for British Light-Heavyweight Championship
CRAIG RICHARDS WPTS12 (117-111, 116-111, 115-112) v ANDRE STERLING
(Crystal Palace) (New Cross)

Craig Richards set-up a shot for the British Light-Heavyweight crown with a hard-fought win over South London rival Andre Sterling. The pair had traded verbal blows in the heated build-up to their York Hall grudge match, but it was ‘Spider’ who settled their feud, dropping his man in the sixth before taking a unanimous verdict of 117-111, 116-111 and 115-112.

6 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest
OTHA JONES III WTKO1 (1:46) v MICHAEL HORABIN
(Ohio) (Mottram)

Exciting Ohio Super-Featherweight talent Otha Jones III wowed York Hall on his UK debut with a blistering first round stoppage win over Mottram’s Michael Horabin to move to 2-0. The USA national team star came out firing and dropped Horabin to the canvas twice before the referee saved him from further punishment.

6 x 2 mins Super-Bantamweight contest
SHANNON COURTENAY WTKO2 (1:17) v VALERIJA SEPETOVSKA
(Watford) (Latvia)

Shannon Courtenay made it three wins from three with an impressive stoppage of Valerija Sepetovska. Following two points victories at the Copper Box Arena and The O2, the Watford prospect displayed her power from the opening bell, dropping her Latvian opponent in the first before a big second-round finish.

4 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
CHARLES FRANKHAM WKO1 (1:43) v ILGVARS KRAUKLIS
(Crowthorne) (Latvia)

Charles ‘Boom Boom’ Frankham made light work of Latvia’s Ilgvars Krauklis in his second outing as a professional. The highly decorated amateur star from Crowthorne stopped in opponent in the opening round of his first ever outing at York Hall.

8 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest
DUANE SINCLAIR v ANTHONY FOX WPTS8 (79-73)
(Croydon) (Westbury)

Duane Sinclair suffered a first career defeat at the hands of tricky Westbury man Anthony Fox. The South Londoner, recently signed by Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte, had hoped to extend his unbeaten run to 11 fights but Fox had other ideas, outpointing Sinclair 79-73.

6 x 3 mins Featherweight contest
REECE BELLOTTI WKO4 (2:14) v JOSUE BENDANA
(Watford) (Barcelona, Spain)

Watford’s Reece Bellotti returned to winning ways in the evening’s first contest to progress to 14-2, 12 KOs. Coming off a loss to British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh, Bellotti landed a brutal body shot with the left in the sixth round that dropped Josue Bendana to the canvas.

Blair Cobbs Remains Undefeated with Dominating Performance

Last night at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, CA, charismatic welterweight prospect, Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (11-0-1, 7 KOs), scored an impressive sixth round KO against once beaten foe, Robert Redmon Jr. (7-2-2, 6 KOs). Redmon’s corner threw in the towel midway through round six.

Cobbs, who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, got off to a good start dominating the first three rounds. In round two, Cobb’s floored Redmon with a right hook to the head in a heated exchange. Redmon survived and followed with a solid round four but got hurt again in round five by a staggering left hook by Cobbs. In round six, Redmon’s corner had seen enough and threw in the towel at the 1:52 mark of the round. Redmon’s eye was severely swollen.

“Tonight, I showed a lot of patience and maturity by staying in control when I had Redmon hurt in two,” said Blair Cobbs. “I took my time, broke him down, and got him out of there in round six. I know I have the talent to beat anyone in the world at 147 pounds. I’m 29-years old and there is no time to wait, I want all the top contenders in the welterweight division.’

“With another dominating performance, Blair Cobbs once again showed why he should be mentioned amongst the top welterweight prospects in the world,” stated manager Greg Hannnely. “I want to keep Cobbs busy with step up fights and march him up the rankings. A world title shot is right around the corner.”

Cobbs vs. Redmon aired live on DAZN and is available On Demand.

Thorslund Dominates Adams To Defend Wbo World Title

Dina Thorslund (14-0, 6 KOs) defended her WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title with a dominant display against mandatory challenger April Adams (11-2-1, 4 KOs) last night at the Forum Horsens in Denmark.

The Danish champion showed her class, winning every round on all three of the judges’ scorecards. She also showed her compassion by sparing a visibly stunned Adams in the final seconds of the tenth round, stepping back with smile and allowing the Australian challenger to finish the fight on her feet.

“I feel like I was in control for the whole fight,” said Thorslund following her second successive World title defence. “There wasn’t one second where I felt in doubt. It was a hard physical battle. April is a tough girl. She came here to win. I feel good and I’m very happy to have defended my belt in such a good fight.”

After the bout, Thorslund and her promoter Nisse Sauerland discussed future plans for the Danish star, including a move up in weight with a fight against WBO World Featherweight Champion Heather Hardy topping their wish list.

“That was a fantastic performance from Dina,” said Sauerland. “She showed tonight why she is one of the most exciting female fighters in the world. There are a lot of big opportunities for her now including a move up to featherweight and a fight with Heather Hardy. That would be huge in Denmark or America.”

“I want to be the best and that involves moving up in weight and collecting more titles,” said Thorslund. “I am ready to face anyone and that includes Hardy.”

Eddie Gomez Explosive In 2nd Round Stoppage over Saul Corral in Atlantic City

Split-T Management’s welterweight contender Eddie Gomez won his 3rd straight bout as he annihilated Saul Corral in two rounds of their scheduled 10-round bout at The Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In round two, Gomez dropped Corral with a hard right. Seconds later, it was a crushing double-left to the body that sent Corral to the canvas. Corral was hurt, and then a clipping left sent him down for a 3rd time. Gomez ended the fight with a devastating flurry of punches that had the referee stop the bout as Corral was falling for a 4th and final time at 1:55.

Gomez, 146. lbs of Bronx, NY is now 23-3 with 13 knockouts. Corral, 146.4 lbs of Douglas, AZ is 30-14.

“Great fight, great team. I worked hard and it showed tonight. My opponent was a tough fighter, and we knew he was tough coming in. I just knew I had to do my job,” Said Gomez

Said Tim VanNewhouse of Split-T Management, “Eddie looked sensational tonight. He once again proved he is ready for big fights. Golden Boy has several intriguing options such as Vergil Ortiz, Jr., Anthony Young or a rematch with Rashidi Ellis. We would welcome any of those opportunities in our next bout.”

Anvar Yunusov stops Angel Luna

Three-time Olympian, Anvar Yunusov remained perfect by stopping Angel Luna in the 2nd round of their scheduled eight-round junior lightweight bout.

The fight headlined an eight-bout card at The 2300 Arena and was promoted by King’s Promotions in association with Titans Boxing Promotions.

Yunosov dropped Luna with a right hook in round one. That was followed by a flurry of punches that Luna barely survived. It didn’t take long, as in round two, Yunusov landed a perfect straight left that deposited Luna on his back. Yunusov jumped on Luna, and the bout was stopped at 56 seconds.

Yunusov of Philadelphia via Tajakistan is now 8-0 with four knockouts.

Robert Simms scored an upset victory as he handed Colby Madison his 1st loss by pounding out a eight-round unanimous decision in a heavyweight bout.

Madison fought through a badly swollen left eye that occurred in round five. Simms had a bad cut over his right eye, but was able to come through by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73.

Simms of Saginaw, Michigan is now 9-3. Madison of Owings Mills, Maryland is 8-1-2.

Rasheen Brown stopped debuting Lionell Tidwell in the 2nd round of their scheduled four-round super bantamweight fight.

Brown landed a perfect straight left that sent Tidwell down and the bout was stopped at 1:18 of round two.

Brown of Philadelphia is 4-0 with one knockout.

2016 U.S. Olympian Paul Kroll kept his perfect mark in-tact as he scored a memorable 1st round stoppage over Hector Mercado in a scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

Kroll landed a right to the head, that sent Mercado down on his leg. Mercado’s right leg was dangling off of his ankle, and the bout was stopped at 1:23.

Kroll of Philadelphia is 4-0 with four knockouts. Mercado is 3-11.

Kashon Hutchinson won a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated James Martin in a welterweight bout.

Hutchinson scored a flash knockdown in the opening frame, and that proved to be distance as he took all cards 57-56.

Hutchinson of Reading, PA is 5-5. Martin of Philadelphia is 4-1.

Jonathan Torres won a four-round unanimous decision over Hugo Rodriguez in a bantamweight contest.

Torres of Bethlehem, PA dropped Rodriguez in round four, and cruised to the victory by 40-35 scores.

Torres is 5-0. Rodriguez of Mexico is 0-5.

Kevin Asmat stopped Weusi Johnson in round three of their scheduled four round junior lightweight bout.

Asmat dropped Johnson in round’s one and two, and Johnson was stopped on his feet at 2:44 of round three.

Asmat of North Bergen, NJ is 6-2 with five knockouts. Johnson of Wilmington, Delaware is 3-13-1.

Khainell Wheeler registered his 2nd consecutive 1st round stoppage as he stopped Tywaski Hendrix in their scheduled four-round super middleweight fight.

Wheeler dropped Hendrix twice and the fight was stopped immedately upon the 2nd knockdown at 2:45.

Wheeler of Bethlehem, PA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Hendrix of Little Rock, Arkansas was making his pro debut.

Muhsin Cason Scores First Round TKO to Extend Undefeated Record

Undefeated heavyweight prospect, Muhsin Cason (5-0, 3 KOs), who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, remained unbeaten with a 1st round TKO against Nathaniel Copeland (1-1, 1 KO) of Washington D.C.

Cason, the younger brother of two-time heavyweight world champion Hasim Rahman, landed a vicious body blow in the middle of round one, sending the bigger Copeland to the canvas. Copeland did not recover, and the bout was halted.

“Since I’ve recently moved up to heavyweight, I feel a lot stronger,” said Cason, who is also trained by his older brother Hasim Rahman. “I’m starting to feel more comfortable at heavyweight with each fight. This was my second bout fighting with the big boys and I promise to get better with each fight. My power is moving up with me. I’m hoping to get back in the ring next month.”

“Muhsin showed he has the power to compete at heavyweight,” said manager Greg Hannely. “We are going to try to get three or four more fights in before the end of the year. Right now, the focus is on keeping him busy. He has a bright future and we believe he has all the tools to become a force in the heavyweight division.”

“Muhsin is becoming a better fighter as he marches on in his career,” said Hasim Rahman, who trains Muhsin. “We are working very had in the gym and he’s getting great sparring with some of the best heavyweight in boxing. He’s still learning but he’s retaining all the knowledge I’m showing him. I’m happy we got another knockout against a tough fighter like Copeland.”

Otha Jones III Dismantles Horabin in 100 seconds

This past Friday, prized prospect, 19 year-old Otha Jones III took out 13-fight veteran in one round in a bout that took place at York Hall London.

Jones dropped Horabin twice, and make a real impression on the knowledgeable London fight crowd.

With the win, Jones ups his mark to 2-0 with one knockout.

Jones, a native of Toledo, Ohio, was a remarkable amateur as he was a 21-time National Champion, where he compiled a staggering 283-13 amateur record highlighted by representing Team USA in several international tournaments including winning a Gold Medal at the International Youth Continental Americas Tournament and Silver Medal at the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament as well as winning several national tournaments such as the winning gold medals in United States National Championships (Twice) and the World Championship Qualifier.

Jones was also a four-time State Wrestling Champion.

Jones is managed by Split-T Management and is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.