By Bill Green
2016 Bronze medalist and undefeated Flyweight prospect Niko Hernandez, thrilled his legion of fans as he silenced Hungarian Szilveszter “The Silent Assassin” Kanalas with a thrilling 1st round TKO 2:52.
Hall of Fame referee, Steve Smoger, waved off the action as midway into the first pinned Kanalas along the ropes and landed his trademark double left hook to the body and head dropping the outgunned Hungarian. Kanalas would barely beat the count and moments later chants of Nico and Nico surfaced and the hometown hero delivered with another crippling body shot followed by a short counter that once again dropped Kanalas this time alongside the other side of the ropes. Hernandez becomes the first World champion in Kansas history as picks up the IBA flyweight championship.
Hernandez stated “I was patient, I wanted it to go some rounds, see what he had, but I finally just took his heart away.”
Full report and pictures coming soon.
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Russian Heavyweight prospect Andrey Afonin clubbed Cuban veteran Pedro “El Reguilete” Rodriguez for the first two rounds before suddingly the action was waved off to a hault before the start of the 3rd round. Afonin started attacking the noticeably out of shape former Cruiserweight to the midsection and gained the uneventful TKO stoppage 3:00 of round 2. With no apparent injury and no noticeable wear, the now Miami based Rodriguez is likely facing a stern suspension for his disappointing performance. Afonin improves to 6-0 (3) while Rodriguez drops to 23-5 (19).
Afonin, a 2011 Russian Jr Championship Gold Medalist, controlled the action and it was a matter of time as he was breaking down the sluggish Rodriguez regardless of the controversial ending.
Managed by Vadin Kornilov, of LA, who also manages WBA Light Heavyweight champion,Dmitry Bivol 13-0 (11) Victor Postol and retired former champ Ruslan Provodnikov.
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In another wild and controversial fight, local Jr Welterweight, Jeff Sturm, stopped Nigerian Archie Weah in the 2nd round. Strum dominated the fight with effective counter hooks and overhand rights flush on the chin and body of his outgunned and uninterested combatant.
The controversy came as Sturm and Moore were exchanging haymakers in the corner towards the end of the bell, when Moore, turned to look at the crowd albeit with his hands down, while Sturm kept fighting and landed a booming left hook. Although the hook landed flush to the head of Moore, the punch wasn’t as impressive as the flop that Moore unsuccessfully attempted to try convince others that it was a foul. The referee and commission weren’t buying the mostly clinching and clowning 5’10 journeyman’s argument. Official result is 2nd RD TKO 2:56 all for the winner and Wichita native Jeff Sturm.
The crowd seemed to applaud the result and booed Moore as he was escorted out by security. Sturm improved to 3-0 (2) and Moore drops to 2-11.
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Canadian power punching Heavyweight Oleksandr Teslenko toyed with outgunned journeyman heavyweight Terrance Marba, before dropping his challenger with an impressive 4 punch combination. A series of overhand rights, left hook, and a crushing right uppercut dropped Marba for a hard 8 count. Marba beat the count, but remained on unsteady legs and the referee stopped the defenseless St Petersburg, FL, native from further damage. Offical stoppage 2nd RD TKO 1:47. The Ukraine born Teslenko, showed a stern jab and good range to go along with his already advertised trademark power. The 6’4 Canadian improves to 13-0 (11) and is being managed by Gary Freedman and promoted by legendary promoter Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment.
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In the first PPV fight of the night, National amateur standout and undefeated Featherweight prospect Victor “El Tornado” Morales, of Portland, OR, proved everything matchmaker Whitfield Haydon would tell the media at yesterday’s weigh in. Known as Whit, to most boxing folks, the Californian matchmaker and consultant feels like Morales Jr has what it takes to leave a great impression in the sport. Morales would prove that and much more to the local fans as he earned a 3rd round KO over outgunned Hungarian David Berna. Morales would flash extremely fast hands, including several thudding left hooks and right hands to dominate the first two rounds.
In the 3rd round, Morales would turn up the heat a notch and pound the ineffective aggressor Berna towards the ropes. Berna would grab at his left forearm and grimace in pain, however, he would abandon the most important rule in boxing…protect yourself at all times. Morales would do his part and leap in with a sweeping left hook to the midsection of his opponent sinking him to the canvas for the count of 9. Despite Berna beating the count, Berna continued to clutch at his left bicep/forearm area and the referee wisely stopped the action all for the winner and now 9-0 (5) Victor Morales Jr. Morales is managed by Sheers Sports Management and is one to watch. Berna drops to 15-4 (14).
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The opening off tv bout between to regional Cruiserweights Chris Harris 2-2-2 (2) of Wichita, KS and Leroy Jones 2-3 (2), St Louis, MO, put on a crowd pleasing back and forth slugfest. In the end, it was the more experienced Jones earning the unpopular to the crowd unanimous decision with scores 39-37 across the board. Jones would land crisp lead left hooks and pot shot from the outside. Harris started off slow but remained the aggressor and had plenty of moments, including drawing blood from his opponent late in the fight. This fight definitely was closer than the scorecards and is worthy of a rematch, this time at 6 rounds to settle what remains a local grudge match. Jones improves to 3-3 (2) while Harris drops to 2-2-3 (2)