Evans edges Rosa, Fa wins in 67 seconds

By Brad Snyder at ringside
Photos: Bob Ryder

Luis Rosa Jr. and Yuandale Evans delivered, on what was speculated to be a very exciting Main Event on SHOBOX: The New Generation. Fighting in front of a loud crowd at the Masonic at Temple Live, both fighters came out throwing their best. As Evans won the 1st Round, both picked up the pace, even more in the 2nd. By the 3rd, it appeared Rosa was getting the slight edge, as both fighters continued the pace they began with. Both featherweights continued the crowd pleasing excitement in the 4th. Rosa was connecting with lead left hooks to the head, as Evans tried to work in a right jab to the charging Rosa. Both fighters were going toe to toe in the 5th, in a fight that science would say could not go the distance. At anytime, either boxer looked as if they could have ended the fight with the punches they were throwing. In the 8th, Rosa was able to wobble Evans, catching him and driving him into the corner. Evans rebounded by not clinching, but throwing more punches towards Rosa and catching him with a right that stumbled him. At the end of Round 9, both fighters had to be separated, as they butt heads and talk as the round ends. The 10th round ended, as the fight began, with both fighters throwing as many punches as they could. The action filled fight went to the scorecards, as Evans wins the WBC Continental America’s Featherweight Championship by SD (96-94 Evans, 96-94 Rosa, 96-93 Evans). The fight improves Evans to (20-1, 14 KO’s), as Luis Rosa Jr. loses for the first time and falls to (23-1, 11KO’s).

Junior Fa gave a very, worthy contender, Freddie Latham, no chance at winning their 8-Round Heavyweight bout. Fa exploded with multiple punches from multiple angles to knockout Latham on his feet. Latham became unresponsive, with only his left arm tangled in the second rope, keeping him from hitting the canvas. The 1:07 1st Round TKO improves the 6 foot 5 inch Fa to (13-0, 8 KO’s), as Latham falls to (9-1-2, 5 KO’s).

A strong, tactical fight, involving Radzhab Butaev and Janer Gonzalez, went all 8 rounds in their Welterweight bout. Butaev started off strong in the early rounds. His speed seemed a bit troublesome for Gonzalez. In the middle rounds, Gonzalez was able to take advantage of Butaev keeping his left down, around his waist. The scorecards showed that Butaev may have been a tad more accurate during the fight, as all three judges (80-72, 79-73, 77-75) scored the bout in favor of Butaev (8-0, 6KO’s). Gonzalez who fought a smart fight falls to (19-1-1, 15 KO’s).

Charles Conwell (6-0, 5 KO’s), who competed in the 2016 Olympics, and Roque Zapata (4-2-3), both, came out firing shots. The problem for Zapata seemed to be that Conwell was landing more frequent shots with much more speed and power. Conwell,who looked impressive in this 6-Round Super Welterweight fight, sent Zapata to the canvas three times during the fight. Conwell did all he could to try to win by knockout, but the will power of Zapata allowed for him to see a judges decision. All three judges scored in the favor of Conwell (60-51, 60-51, 60-53) for the UD victory.

Willie Nelson made quick work of Alexis Hloros, winning by TKO at the 2:46 mark of the 1st Round. Nelson scored a quick first knockdown, but it was the second that came, due to a right, that hurt Hloros. Nelson, then, quickly connected with a left uppercut to end the contest with a third knockdown. Nelson improves to (26-3-1, 16 KO’s), as Hloros drops to (18-7-2, 12 KO’s).

What might be the future of the super middleweight division, Isaiah Steen (10-0, 8 KO’s) dismantled a 56-fight veteran in Eduardo Flores (26-28-3, 15 KO’s). Steen started off early by working the body. “I saw weakness in his body. I went there early. And when he spit out his mouthpiece in the 3rd, I knew he was done,” said Steen. Flores finally went to the canvas in the 3rd and was not able to answer the bell in time for the referee’s liking. The 1:43 TKO in Round 3, showcased all of the skills Steen is blessed with. A little work is still needed, but clearly his team and he are on the right path.

Fred Wilson Jr. holds on to win by SD (39-37 Wilson Jr., 38-37 Dulaney, 38-37 Wilson Jr.) over Cory Dulaney. After dominating the first three rounds of the 4-Round Junior Middleweight contest, Wilson Jr. got caught with a short right hand by, the much smaller, Dulaney that dropped him to the canvas. Wilson Jr. struggled to fight after the knockdown and was clinching and now backing up for the first time in the fight. Wilson Jr. improves to (6-0, 2 KO’s), as Dulaney drops to (5-6-1, 1 KO).

Heavyweight Alante Green improved to (2-0-1, 1KO) with his 1:12 TKO win over Antwaun Taylor (4-6, 1KO). Green came out swinging as soon as the first bell rang. Taylor found the canvas twice in the fight due to Green’s power and pressure.

Boubacar Sylla (8-0, 8 KO’s) looked impressive with his TKO victory over fellow undefeated welterweight, Marlon Brown (7-1, 2 KO’s). Sylla cruised to victory with a 1st Round knockdown of Brown. The middle rounds of the scheduled for 6-Round contest had Sylla opening up a cut on Brown’s right eye. Brown’s corner deemed him not able to continue in between the fourth and fifth round.

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