By Ken Hissner:, photo by WBC: At the Olympia Theater, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Friday, over ESPN+ Top Rank Boxing, Daniel Otter (Three lions promotions) and Yvon Michel (GYM Promotions) presented in the main event former NABF Heavyweight champion Colombian Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas of Montreal, Canada, defeating unbeaten NABA Cruiserweight champion Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki, of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, for the vacant WBC Bridgerweight title, over 12 terrific rounds.
In the Main Event, Colombian Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas, 28-1 (19), #222.2, of Montreal, CAN, in a war defeated NABA Cruiserweight champion Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki, 13-1 (13), #203, of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, for the vacant WBC Bridgerweight title, over 12 rounds.
In the first round, both fighters stood toe to toe, slugging it out with the heavier Rivas landing the more effective punches. In the final seconds, he hurt Rozicki with a left hook. In the second round, the slugging continued with both having their moments while Rivas seemed to have an edge. In the third round, Rozicki did well enough to take the round starting southpaw for about ten seconds before going back to orthodox.
In the fourth round, both fighters continued to give the crowd something to cheer about. Rivas got away with pushing off Rozicki without Referee Michael Griffin warning him. Rozicki may have evened the score in this round as Rivas seemed to be slowing down. In the fifth round, Rivas came back well, taking the round in as close as it gets. Rozicki showed some blood from either the nose or mouth.
In the sixth round, both worked on body shots for the most part. Neither took a back step. The seventh and eighth rounds continued in a war, with Rozicki holding his own. In the ninth round, both were near exhaustion, with Rivas leaning on Rozicki at times and ending the round with a solid right on the chin. In the tenth round, it was Rozicki looking a little fresher in a brawl.
In the eleventh round, when Rivas seemed to have Rozicki hurt, the latter came back in the final thirty seconds. In the twelfth and final round, the picture went off! Rivas ended up taking the 12 rounder.
Scores were 116-111 and 115-112 twice, with this writer 115-112.
Light Heavyweight Terry Osias, 10-0 (4), #172.7, of Longueuil, Quebec, CAN, defeated Joaquin “Bandolero” Murrieta, 9-10-3 (7), #173.4, of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, MEX, over six rounds.
In the first round, it was competitive, with Osias out landing Murrieta. In the second round, Osias continued being the aggressor, but Murrieta held his ground for the most part. In the third round, a chopping right from Osias to the head had Murrieta complaining of getting him behind the head to Referee Yvon Goulet with no action taken. Osias continued winning the round.
In the fourth and fifth rounds, Osias continued out-landing Murrieta, who is in survival mode. In the sixth and final round, a right to the body from Osias had one of Murrieta’s feet off the canvas. Murrieta fought back more in this round than in previous rounds but not enough to win a round as Osias landed rights to the head.
Scores were 60-54 by all judges and this writer.
In a rematch, Cruiserweight Francis Charbonneau, 4-1 (1), #199.8, of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, CAN, scored a knockdown defeating Alexandre Roberge, 1-2 (0), #208, of Lanoraie, Quebec, CAN, over four entertaining rounds.
In the first round, in the final minute of the round, an overhand right from Charbonneau had Roberge falling into him and down for an 8-count from Referee Padoulo, Jr., but managed to get through the round. In the second round, Roberge came back well in a close round.
In the third round, Charbonneau landed a left to the chin getting the attention of Roberge to start the round off. Then in the final seconds, it was Roberge landing a right to the chin, getting the attention of Charbonneau. In the fourth and final round, both had their moments, with Charbonneau having the edge. Both embraced afterwards, showing good sportsmanship.
Scores were 40-36 and 39-36 twice, as did this writer have it scored.
Super Welter Kevin Menoche, 5-0 (4), #153.8, of Repentigny, Quebec, CAN, won a disputed decision over Thad Buntsma Ridsdill, 2-3 (1), #153.4, of Oshawa, Ontario, CAN, over four solid rounds.
In the first round, at the halfway point, Menoche landed a flurry of punches causing the referee to give Ridsdill a standing 8-count. Inside the final minute, a right from Menoche had Ridsdill hurt, but he came fighting back. In the second round, Menoche came out where he left off, but it was short-lived. Ridsdill worked on Menoche’s body for almost a minute, then landed a right, snapping back his head taking the round.
In the third round, it was all Ridsdill having Menoche’s backing up the entire round, throwing an occasional wild right. In the fourth, Ridsdill continued chasing, with Menoche fighting back more but not enough to take the round. The shorter Ridsdill showed a lot of guts after the first round.
Scores were 39-36 and 38-37 twice for Menoche with this writer 38-37 Ridsdill.
In a Rock em’ sock em’ Heavyweight fight, southpaw Alexis Barriere, 4-0 (3), #235, of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, CAN, scored two knockdowns and got knocked down, defeating Rafael Abdala, 5-2 (3), #211, Cuernavaca, Morelos, MEX, over four rounds.
In the first round, after twenty seconds, a left from Barriere on the chin dropped Abdala for an 8-count from Referee Albert Padulo, Jr. Halfway through the round a left made one of the gloves of Abdala touch the canvas for a knockdown. In the final minute, it was a right from Abdala on the chin knocking down Barriere for an 8-count.
In the third round, both had their moments, with the Canadian amateur champ Barrier winning big over 41-year-old Abdala. In the fourth and final round Barrier tried for a fourth straight stoppage and almost had Abdala down seconds before the bell sounded.
Scores were all 40-36, as was this writers.