By Ken Hissner: At the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, Saturday over Showtime Leonard Ellerbe (Mayweather Promotions) and Sampson Lewkowicz (Sampson Boxing), presented in the Main Event WBA World Welterweight champion Jamal “Shango” James losing to No. 4 ranked Radzhab “The Python” Butaev by stoppage in 9 rounds.
In the co-feature, sensational unbeaten Jaron “Boots” Ennis scored a sensational first round stoppage over Thomas Dulorme.
In the Main Event WBA World Welterweight champ Jamal “Shango” James, 27-2 (12), #145.2 of Minneapolis, MN, was upset losing his title to Russian Radzhab ”No Mercy” Butaev, 14-0 (11), #146.2, of Brooklyn, NY, at 2:12 of the ninth round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first two rounds, it was all James. In the next two, it was all Butaev. In the fifth round, Butaev lost a point due to hitting Davis from behind by referee Celestino Ruiz. In the sixth round, Butaev had a big round.
In the seventh round, Butaev continued putting the pressure on James, the taller of the two using his jab. Butaev seemed to take the lead in the fight. In the eighth round, the action continued, with Butaev having an edge.
In the ninth round, Butaev pushed James to the canvas receiving a warning. Butaev switches from orthodox to southpaw. He had James against the ropes, completely exhausted and beaten by Butaev. Referee Ruiz suddenly called a halt.
“This was very important but only my first step. I’m looking to prove I’m the best in the division. I have nothing against the referee, and I have nothing about him taking a point.
My team and I worked a lot on fighting southpaw, and it worked tonight. (asked if the fight should have been stopped) I think it should have been stopped. He was a lot better than I expected,” said Butaev. At the time of stoppage, Butaev was ahead on two of the three cards.
In the co-feature sensational welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis, 28-0-1 nc (26), #146 ½, of Philadelphia, PA, stopped Thomas Dulorme, 25-6-1 (16), #146, of Carolina, PR, out of Las Vegas, NV, at 1:49 of the first round of a scheduled ten rounds.
In the first round, Ennis landed a right to the ear of Dulorme for an 8-count by referee Mike Ortega after a minute. Shorty later, Ennis landed a left, right, and left from southpaw stance on the chin, and down went Dulorme again. He tried getting up but couldn’t as referee Ortega called a halt.
“It was good work. I don’t get paid for overtime. I knew it was over, but he got up and landed a shot on my ear. I landed a right hook and left, and that was it. I’ve been ready for a year for a title.
I’m after all three champs. (asked whose next?) I’m ranked highest in IBF and want Errol Spence,” said Ennis. Ennis is ranked in all organizations and is more than ready to take the division over. He is trained by his father, teacher-trainer “Bozy” Ennis.
Light Welterweight Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera, 22-0 (14), #138, of DR, Miami, FL, defeated Matias Romero, 24-2 (8), #135.4, of Cordoba, ARG, out of Miami, FL, over ten rounds.
In the first three rounds, it was all Rivera using an effective jab followed by rights to the chin of Romero. In the fourth through the sixth rounds, it was all Rivera. Between rounds, Romero complained about a right knee injury after the sixth round.
From the seventh through the ninth, it was all Rivera. In the tenth and final round, Romero had his best round but not enough to take the round from the faster hands of Rivera.
All scores were 100-90, along with this writer.
