By Ken Hissner: At Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, Saturday, over ESPN and ESPN+ Bob Arum (Top Rank), presented in the Main Event WBO World Super Lightweight champion Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor being upset by former IBF, WBO and WBA Lightweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez.
In the Main Event WBO World Super Light champ Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor, 19-1 (13), #139.8, of Haddington, Scotland, UK, was upset by the former IBF, WBO and WBA Light champ Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez, 19-1 (13), #140, of Las Vegas, NV and Brooklyn, NY, over 12 rounds.
In the first round Taylor drove Lopez partially through the ropes with a right on the chin. In the second round Lopez suffered a small cut on his nose. In the third round Lopez had an edge. In the fourth rounds final seconds a left hook from Lopez knocked Taylor off balance. In the fifth round Lopez did well enough to take the round.
In the sixth through the eighth rounds it was Lopez doing well and showboating. In the ninth round Taylor came back well in a close round. In the tenth and eleventh rounds Lopez outworked Taylor. In the twelfth and final round Lopez rocked Taylor with a right halfway through the round and again in the final seconds of the fight. Referee Michael Griffin.
Scores were 115-113 twice and 117-111 and 116-112 KH.
Super Feather southpaw Henry “Moncho” Lebron, 18-0 (10), #129.2, of Aguadilla, PR, defeated southpaw Carlos “El Toro” Ramos, 17-3 (10), #129.6, of Guayaquil, ECU, Madrid SP, over 10 rounds with a pair of knockdowns.
In the first two rounds Lebron showed his superior boxing ability take both. In the third round Ramos came back well rocking Lebron midway with a left on the chin. In the fourth round Ramos came back well enough to take the round evening things.
In the fifth rounds final minute a left from Lebron on the chin rocked Ramos. In the eighth round a counter right hook on the head from Lebron dropped Ramos for an 8-count from Referee Shada Murdaugh. In the tenth and final round with a minute remaining a right hook from Lebron on the chin of Ramos dropped him for a second time for an 8-count from Referee Murdaugh. Under new trainer Chino Ramos Lebron was impressive.
Scores were 97-91 and 98-90 twice and KH.
NABO and NABF Super Welter champ Xander Zayas, 16-0 (10), #152.8, of San Juan, PR, and Sunrise, FL, easily defeated Ronald “Diablo” Cruz, 18-3-1 (12), #152.4, of Northern Hollywood, CA, over 8 rounds.
In the first round Zayas dropped Cruz with a counter right on the chin seconds into the round for an 8-count by Referee Steve Willis. In the second and third rounds Zayas out landed Cruz who recovered well from the knockdown.
In the fourth round a left hook on the chin from Zayas hurt Cruz halfway through the round. From the fifth through the eighth rounds it was all Zayas.
Scores were all 80-71 and KH.
Former 2016 Gold Medalist Olympian Robson “Nino” Conceicao, 17-2-1nc (8), #130.6, of Salvador, Bahia, BRZ, declared a no-contest in the second round due to clash of heads against Nicolas “La Pantera” Polanco, 20-4-1-1nc (11), #130, of Santo Domingo, DR, 10 rounds.
In the second round due to a clash of heads the fight was stopped and declared a no contest.
Referee Eddie Claudio
Super Light Omar “The New Era” Rosario, 11-0 (3), #139.2, of Caguas, PR, won a close decision over Juan Carlos Rivera, 8-2 (6), #138.4, of Phila., PA, over 8 rounds.
In the first two rounds Rivera had an edge and the next two Rosario had the edge. In the fifth and sixth rounds it was close with Rosario having Rivera pinned in a neutral corner for the most part.
In the sixth round Rivera spit out his mouthpiece. In the seventh round Rivera came back well enough to edge out the round. In the eighth and final round it went down to both swinging punches at the bell. Referee Shawn Clark. Rivera’s trainer is “Bozy” Ennis.
All scores 77-75 and 76-76 KH.
Heavy Damian “Polish Hussar” Knyba, 12-0 (7), #261.4, of Wudzyn, POL, defeated game southpaw Helaman “The Dream” Olguin, 9-6-1 (4), #256.8, of MEX and South Jordan, UT, over 8 rounds.
In the first two rounds Olguin surprised 6:07” Knyba holding his own. In the third round Knyba hurt Olguin with a right midway on the chin. In the fourth round Knyba bloodied the nose of Olguin trying to finish him after taking a harsh talk from his corner after the third round.
In the fourth round a clash of heads caused a cut on the left eyebrow of Olguin. In the fifth round and sixth rounds Olguin hung in there. In the eighth and final round both were exhausted but got to the bell. Referee Shawn Murtaugh.
Scores were 79-73 from all judges and KH.
Feather Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, 8-0 (5), #126.8, of Brooklyn, NY, stopped Luis Porozo, 16-7 (9), #126.4, of Santo Domingo, ECU, at 2:27 of the 8th and final round.
In the first three rounds Carrington dominated Porozo. In the fourth round Carrington had Porozo in trouble bleeding from the mouth trying to get to the bell.
In the fifth and sixth rounds Carrington landed right and left uppercuts having Porozo taking a beating. In the eighth and final round Carrington trying for a stoppage as Referee Shawn Clark saw enough and stopped the one sided bout prematurely to the dislike of Porozo who deserved to go the distance.
