By Ken Hissner: At the Headingly Rugby League Stadium, Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, Saturday over DAZN promoter Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing) presented in the Main Event the rematch between Mauricio “Bronco” Lara and former IBF Featherweight Josh “The Leeds Warrior” Warrington ended after two rounds after a clash of heads causing a bad cut on the left eyebrow of Lara ruling a technical draw by referee Steve Gray. Unbeaten World Female Lightweight champion Katie Taylor defended her four titles, shutting out former Featherweight champion Jennifer Han over 10 rounds.
In the Main Event Mauricio “Bronco” Lara, 23-2 (16), #125 ½, of Mexico City, MEX, and former IBF Featherweight champ Josh “The Leeds Warrior” Warrington, 30-1 (7), #125 ¾, of Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, 12 rounds.
In the first round, a Warrington left hook on the chin halfway through the round was the highlight. In the second round, a clash of heads almost closed the left eye of Lara, who suffered a nasty cut on the eyebrow. In the corner between rounds, referee Steve Gray called a halt.
In the co-feature IBF, WBA, WBO, and WBC world Female Lightweight champion and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist champion Katie Taylor, 19-0 (6), #134 ¾, of Bray, Ireland, easily defeated former IBF Female World Featherweight champion Jennifer Han, 18-4-1 (1), #134 ½, of El Paso, Texas, scoring a knockdown over 10 rounds.
In the first five rounds, Taylor took all with her first solid right landed in the fourth on the chin of Han, who did her share of holding. In the seventh round, Taylor landed several lead rights on the chin of the defense-minded Han. In the eighth, a short right from Taylor on the chin dropped Han, who complained of feet getting tangled. In the tenth and final round, Taylor continued the shutout against the defense-minded Han.
Scores were 100-89, as was this writer’s. The referee was Mark Lyson.
IBO World Lightweight champion southpaw Jovanni “Impacto” Straffon, 24-4-1 (17), #134 ¼, of Santa Cruz, Mexico City, MEX, lost his title to southpaw British champion Maxi “Maximus” Hughes, 24-5-2 (5), #134 ¼, of Rossington, Yorkshire, UK, who put on a clinic in pitching a shutout over 12 rounds.
In the first round, Hughes boxed well, countering the aggressive Straffon. An overhand lead left in the final minute from Hughes on the chin of Straffon, the best in the round. In the second through the fourth rounds, Hughes had Straffon missing quite a bit while countering well.
In the end of the first minute of the round, Hughes landed a big left, having Straffon out on his feet with a flurry of follow-up punches. It was a big round for Hughes. In the sixth round, at the halfway point, Hughes rocked Straffon with a right hook on the chin and continued to dominate his opponent.
In the seventh through the tenth rounds, Hughes used his hand speed and occasional solid left to the chin of Straffon as well, having him miss. Hughes had Straffon walking into punches and, by the tenth, very frustrated. In the eleventh round, it was like a bull and a matador; though Straffon landed the most punches in the fight from him, it was still not enough to win the round from Hughes. In the twelfth and final round, Hughes continued putting on a clinic having the fans behind him from start to finish.
Scores were 119-109 and 120-107 twice, as did this writer have it.
In his fifth defense of his WBA Continental Welterweight title champion Connor “The Destroyer” Benn, 19-0 (12), #146 ½, of Ilford, Essex, UK, shut out Adrian “Tigre” Granados, 21-9-3 (15), #146 ½, of Chicago, IL, over 10 dull rounds.
In the first seven rounds, Benn chased, landing half his punches while Granados kept on the run, looking to survive more than to win. In the eighth round, Granados did less running, getting tagged with a long right on the chin from Benn in the final minute of the round. In the final two rounds, Granados continued looking for a paycheck, not a fight, after ten dull rounds with Benn, never quite able to land the big punch to put the fans out of their misery. Referee Howard Foster.
Scores were 97-93, 99-91, and 100-90, the same as this writer.
Super Bantamweight Hopey “Drago” Price, 6-0 (2), #121 ¾, of Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, stopped Zahid “The Majic Man” Hussain, 16-2 (2), #121, of Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, at 2:33 of the second of a scheduled 10 rounds, for the vacant IBO International title.
In the first and second rounds, Price scored knockdowns.
Bantamweight Ebanie “The Blonde Bomber” Bridges, 7-1 (3), #118, of New South Wales, Australia, won a disputed decision over Mailys Gangloff, 5-3 (2), #116, of Aix-Les-Baines, France, over 8×2 solid rounds.
In the second round, with thirty seconds left, Bridges drove Gangloff into the ropes with a right on the chin. Gangloff fought back well right to the bell, once again driven into the corner with a right from Bridges. In the third, Gangloff showed she could deliver from all angles while Bridges throws power rights. In the final minute of the round, Bridges went to the body. In the fourth round, Gangloff did well to land as many punches as Bridges though not power punches, causing swelling under the left eye of Bridges.
In the fifth through the seventh rounds, Gangloff had the more accurate punches in the past three rounds. In the eighth and final round, it was Gangloff landing the heavier punches along with being the faster of the two. Bridges had a shiner under her right eye at the end.
Score by referee Steve Gray 77-76 Bridges with this writer 77-75 Gangloff.
Super Bantamweight Jack Bateson, 14-0 (3), #124, of Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, defeated Felix Garcia, 7-3-1 (3), #123, of NIC/Gerona, Cataluna, Spain, over 6 rounds.
In the second round, Bateson was knocked down. Score 58-56.
Super Welterweight Brandon Stansfield, 2-0 (0), #149 ½, of Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, defeated southpaw MJ Hall, 2-63-2 (0), #148 ½, of Brierley Hill, West Midlands, UK, 4 rounds.
Score: 40-36
Light Heavyweight Maili Wright, 1-0 10), #180, of Chapel Town, Yorkshire, UK, stopped Anthony “Bull” Woolrey, 2-7 (0), #181 ¾, of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK, at the end of 2 of a 4 rounder.