Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai chose a ten-rounder for his pro debut in the Okolie-Cieslak co-feature on Sunday night at the O2 Arena in London. He won the vacant WBC international flyweight title with a fifth round stoppage of Carlos Vado Bautista (10-5-1, 3 KOs).
WBA #6, IBF #8 Jordan “The Thrill” Gill (26-1-1, 7 KOs) claimed the European featherweight title with a spectacular ninth round KO against WBC #9 rated Karim Guerfi (30-5, 9 KOs). Guerfi dropped Gill in round seven then in Guerfi’s follow up barrage the fighters fell to the canvas awkwardly with Gill having his head rammed into the canvas like a wrestling DDT move. Guerfi looked headed to certain victory until Gill suddenly laid him out with a right hand. Time was 2:59.
Middleweight Anthony Fowler (16-2, 12 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Lukasz Maciec (27-4-1, 5 KOs) by scores of 99-91, 99-92, 99-93.
Unbeaten heavyweight Fabio Wardley (13-0, 12 KOs) stopped West Virginia’s Daniel Martz (20-10-1, 17 KOs) in round two. Martz down twice. Time was 1:30.
Lightweight Campbell Hatton (6-0, 2 KOs) got a sixth round referee’s stoppage against journeyman Joe Ducker (9-9-2, 2 KOs). Time was 2:23. Campbell’s dad Ricky Hatton was at ringside.
WBO #11, IBF #12, heavyweight contender Demsey McKean (21-0, 13 KOs) won an eight round shutout against Ariel Esteban Bracamonte (11-7, 6 KOs). Scored 80-72.
Tokyo Olympian cruiserweight Cheavon Clarke won his professional debut via stoppage against Toni Visic (20-30-2, 5 KOs). Clarke dropped Visic in round one and put him down for the count at 2:01 of round two.
6’5 light heavyweight John Hedges (5-0, 1 KO) got his first career stoppage against Aleksander Nagolski (2-2, 1 KO) at :38 of round four.
Clarke looked pretty good but at 31 they’re going to have to move him pretty quick. Maybe he can have a Joe Joyce-ish run, best case scenario.
Hill just had a sensational comeback KO, but I will not be surprised if he collapses in the dressing room. Definite signs of a brain bleed. I sure hope they keep a eye on him.
Just watching Okolie and Cieslak , Okolie has 2 skills, the right hand and holding. Horrible fight!
If you did not see the fight….Gill vs Guerfi is a must see….Old saying ..timing beats speed..,Gill …in this fight ….showed everything about a true fighter…prepared…will to win….not quitting…. A must see fight,., definitely entertaining…hope both are ok