By Ken Hissner: At the Virgins Hotels Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, Friday, Bob Arum (Top Rank) in association with Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing) over ESPN+ in the Main Event WBO World Female Super Featherweight champion Mikaela Mayer of L.A, CA, defeated IBF World Female champion Maiva Hamadouce, of Paris, France, to unify the titles over ten all-action non-stop fighting rounds.
In the Main Event WBO World Female and 2016 Olympian Super Featherweight champion Mikaela Mayer, 16-0 (5), #129.6, of Los Angeles, CA, defeated IBF World Female champion Maiva Hamadouce, 22-2 (18), #128.6, of Paris, France, over ten terrific rounds of action!
In the first two rounds, both fighters let it all hang out, with Hamadouce finishing the stronger of the two. In the third round, Mayer used a good body attack and combinations to the head to take the round.
In the fourth round, the action continued with both boxers throwing bombs while Mayer seemed to even the score. In the fifth round, Hamadouce had been warned about holding the head of Mayer down in previous rounds and continues it with a warning from referee Mike Ortega. The war continued with Mayer having a slight edge.
In the sixth round, Hamadouce came back well, out landing Mayer in an all-action fight. In the seventh round, it was Mayer rocking Hamadouce in the final seconds with a right on the chin. In the eighth and ninth rounds, both were having their moments, with Hamadouce throwing more but Mayer pin pointing her punches to take the rounds. In the tenth and final round, with the potential of “fight of the year,” both boxers were landing punches in bunches!
Scores were 98-92, 99-91, and 100-90, all strange scores with this writer 96-94.
In the co-feature Super Featherweight Luis “Chucho” Melendez, 17-1 (13), #131.4, of PR and Miami, FL, won a disputed decision over Thomas “Gunna Man” Mattice, 17-3-1 (13), #131.4, of Cleveland, OH, over eight rounds.
In the first two rounds, it was even. In the third and fourth rounds, Mattice worked the body with left hooks. In the fifth round, Melendez bounced back to take the round. In the sixth round, Melendez rocked Mattice in the final seconds with a right on the chin.
In the seventh round, Mattice got the best of the action, all inside fighting. In the eighth and final round, it was Mattice landing more with 3-punch combinations to the head of Melendez. Referee was Celestino Ruiz.
Scores were all 77-75 Melendez, while this writer had it 77-75 Mattice.
Super Featherweight Andres “The Savage” Cortes, 16-0 (9), #131.6, of Las Vegas, NV, stopped Mark Bernaldez, 23-5 (17), #131.2, of Butuan City, PH, at 2:12 of the third round of a scheduled eight rounds.
In the first two rounds, Cortes had a solid edge. In the third round, close to a dozen unanswered punches from Cortes forced referee Allen Huggins to call a halt!
Middleweight Tyler “Hercules” Howard, 19-1 (11), #160, of Crosville, TN, lost to Ian “Young General” Green, 15-2 (11), #160, of Paterson, NJ, over eight rounds.
In the first four rounds, Green dominated with a quick jab. In the fifth round, Howard was able to counter a Green left with a right hand. In the sixth round, every time Howard had Green on the ropes landing, a right Green tied him up. Howard lost a point hitting after the bell by referee Allen Huggins.
In the seventh round, Green continued moving and countering Howard. In the eighth and final round, Howard finally started landing as Green decided to stop moving and stand in front of him, losing his first round.
Scores were 80-71, 79-72, twice as did this writer.
Super Middleweight Martez McGregor, 8-6 (6), #166 ¾, of Maywood, IL, was stopped by Rowdy Legend Montgomery, 7-3-1 (5), #164, of Riverside via Victorville, CA, at 1:10 of the third of a scheduled six rounds.
In the first two rounds were very competitive, with the taller Montgomery landing lead rights against the countering McGregor. In the third round, a right uppercut from Montgomery on the chin hurt McGregor. As he tried to escape, he got hit with two more rights, and down went McGregor as referee Robert Hoyer stopped counting and waved it off.
Lightweight 17-year-old southpaw Abdullah Mason, 1-0 (1), #135.4, of Cleveland, OH, stopped southpaw Jaylan “No Playin” Philipps, 1-1 (1), #136.6, of Heabrow, FL, at 2:09 of the second round of a scheduled four rounds.
In the first round, Mason dominated. In the second round, Mason landed half a dozen punches before Philipps landed one in return. Three lefts from Mason to the head of Philipps had him out on his feet, forcing referee Robert Hoyle to call a halt.
