In a WBC super bantamweight eliminator, former world champion Luis “Pantera” Nery (34-1, 26 KOs) scored a spectacular eleventh round TKO against Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (21-4, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California. The bout was a violent slugfest with both fighters rocked multiple times. Nery shots progressively busted up Hovhannisyan’s face. However, midway Hovhannisyan’s bodywork seemed to turn the tide in his favor. In round ten, Nery staggered Hovhannisyan with a left hook, then dropped him. Hovhannisyan barely survived the round. Nery staggered Hovhannisyan again in round eleven and referee Ray Corona waved it off. Time was 1:51.
At the time of the stoppage, Nery was ahead on all three scorecards, 95-94, 96-93, 96-93.
“I knew this was going to be a very difficult fight, Azat is a very tough fighter,” said Nery. “We gave the fans an incredible show. I want the winner between Naoya Inoue and Stephen Fulton. I feel ready for a world championship.”
“We are disappointed in this outcome, but that’s boxing,” said Hovhannisyan. “There was a lot of back-and-forth action, and we did all that we could.”
Super middleweight Shane Mosley Jr. (19-4, 10 KOs) compiled a ten round unanimous decision over Mario “Aguila” Lozano (33-11, 24 KOs). 2018 Contender finalist Mosley had to work hard to beat cagey veteran Lozano 100-90, 99-91, 99-91. Questionable scores considering Lozano outlanded Mosley in total punches 143-138, and in power shots 113-97 according to Compubox.
WBC #6, WBA #8 flyweight Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval (21-2, 16 KOs) knocked out Jerson Ortiz (17-7, 8 KOs) with a left hook to the body in round two. Ortiz was counted out at 2:46.
Super middleweight Rowdy “Legend” Montgomery (9-4-1, 6 KOs), a late sub, scored an eight round unanimous decision over Christian “Ruso” Olivas (22-9, 19 KOs). Scores were 79-73, 79-73, 80-72.
Azat needs a new corner. Julian Shau and his team are too inexperienced for top level good fighters. Forgetting the mouth piece, not using ice on his face to keep swelling down and refresh him after the rounds. Same when they worked Z corner against Bivol. No experienced instructions no making in fight adjustments. Just terrible.
Excellent analysis. So true.
A war that might have taken a lot from each fighter. Nery should stay away from Inoue
Very far. Inoue will fold him less halfway through with a nasty body attack. Neri leaves the side doors wide open.
No, they should fight. Boxing is dying because the best seldom fight each other anymore.
They should fight, but I think the point everyone was making is that it would be a very one-sided beatdown. Inoue is a stone killer. Nery is a World Class fighter, but has no legit shot to actually win.
Boxing history is filled with massive upsets. It’s one of the things that makes it such a compelling sport.
While I agree that I think Nery would probably lose, in boxing there are no guarantees until the match actually takes place. And boxing is dying a very quick death because instead of fights featuring the top fighters we get the top fighters each fighting second tier competition.
Congrats to Luis Nery and Azat for a very engaging fight . Nery took too many punches from a level “B” fighter, no disrespect to Crazy A. Monster Inoue will have an easy night with this version of Nery.
Great fight, Nery gets hit cleanly. He can not get hit that clean by Fulton & Inoue, no way!
What would getting hit by Fulton do? Tickle him? The guy has less power to him than a Taco Bell bean burrito. I think Nery would likely push Fulton hard and possibly even drop him. Inoue on the other hand, will destroy Nery and have a very hard time finding Fulton.
Brutal scrap
Respect two both on committing to engage in such a manner, yo fans this is what they want but these types of fights can have serious repercussions on some fighters
I recall a moment in Nery’s corner when he was told, No te esta haciendo nada ( He is not doing anything to you)
Ummm Says the guy not in the fight getting hit…Sometimes you need to know when to switch up from straight brawling to boxing…just saying, longevity and health are important too
I remember when Nery was a hot prospect and after seeing him against Figueroa I learned quickly while he may have great boxing skills and can pop he has a low boxing iq. He takes too many punches and doesn’t make adjustments. He will certainly be punch drunk and lose clearly to either Inoue or Fulton.
what a war great fight dont know if nery will recover from this he got buzzed good luck to both fighters in there futures in the ring
That guy looks hurt. Lol