In a shocking upset, Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23 KOs) destroyed Ohara Davies (25-3, 18 KOs) by a first round knockout to capture the WBA interim light welterweight title on Saturday night at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions)
Barroso landed a crushing left hand counter shot that badly staggered Davies, who was throwing a right hand of his own. The shot from the 40-year-old Barroso sent Davies staggering back into the ropes. Barroso then landed a left to the head, causing Davies to fall.
While Davies was on his way down to the canvas, Barroso landed a right to the head. The 31-year-old Ohara looked in bad shape after climbing off the canvas.
When the action resumed, Barroso went for the kill, nailing the defenseless Davies with a series of hard head shots that caused him to stumble into the ropes and fall to the canvas.
When Davies got back to his feet, referee Celestino Ruiz asked him to look at him. At that point, he waved it off due to Ohara looking too hurt to be permitted to continue. The time of the stoppage was at 1:53 of round one.
“When I started boxing, they said I had a lot of power. Now, I’m showing that,” said Barroso after the fight. “After that first punch, I knew I had him. It was a good punch. The people have been asking for Rolly Romero again. I’m right here.”
With the win, Barroso puts himself in a position to challenge WBA 140-lb champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in a rematch of their controversial fight last May, which was inexplicably stopped in the ninth round by referee Tony Weeks after a flurry of missed punches.
It was a blown call by Weeks, and fans ripped him apart on social media for his decision to stop it. Barroso was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage against Rolly.
