In a rematch, super lightweight Subriel Matias (18-1, 18 KOs) avenged his only loss by breaking down and stopping Petros Ananyan (16-3-2, 7 KOs) in the Russell-Magsayo co-feature on Saturday night at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ. It was a slugfest from the opening bell with Matias usually having the upper hand. Matias finally dropped Ananyan with a left hook at the end of round nine. Ananyan looked to be in bad shape and the bout was stopped by the ring doctor after the round. Ananyan previously won a ten round UD over Matias.
“I’m not just a hard-hitter but the way that I fight is like cutting down a tree,” said Matias. “Just keep hitting them. I think I can improve my power but let’s see what happens with time. I want to thank everybody who made this fight possible, but I’m going to take my time before deciding who I will fight next.”
Former world title challenger Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar (12-2-1, 9 KOs) and late sub Sakaria Lukas (25-1-1, 17 KOs) battled to a ten round draw in a featherweight contest. Scores were 96-94 Lukas, 96-94 Nyambayar, and 95-95. Lukas appeared to drop Nyambayar in round eight with a jab but it was ruled a slip, which ultimately cost Lukas the fight.
Unbeaten junior middleweight Evan Holyfield (9-0, 6 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Chris Rollins (5-4-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 60-54, 60-54, 59-55, but the bout wasn’t as one-sided as the score indicated. Holyfield is the son of ring legend Evander Holyfield.
Middleweight LeShawn Rodriquez (13-0, 10 KOs) scored a first round TKO over Sixto Suazo (9-3-1, 7 KOs).
In a clash of unbeaten featherweights, Katsuma Akitsugi (8-0, 1 KO) outscored Rasheen Brown (11-1, 7 KOs) over six rounds.
Yet to see the son of a legendary fighter make a better career than pops!! Let’s see if Tszyu or Conor Benn make it happen?!!
Timmy Tszyus younger brother Nikita is having his first pro fight soon. Watch this space. Very good amateur.
As I predicted the Subriel Matias vs Petros Ananyan was an incredible fight with a lot of tension. Congrats to the great warrior Subriel you deserve one more time a title shot, I don’t think Taylor should be very interested in trying to cross the Subriel’s hell. Also congrats to Petros Ananyan very tough and brave as I expected. Now it’s 4.15 am in Spain but it worth only to watch this fantastic fight.
I put a little money on Magsayo to win.
Matias with his cutthroat gestures after the fight has no class!!!
Considering that he killed Maxim Dadashev, I would have to agree with you.
Terrible comment…
Bro, Subriel didn’t killed Maxim Dadashev. The unfortunate russian died of the injuries he obtained as the result of a grueling fight.
Agreed, he is a humble and true warrior, that type of gestual should erase it. Subriel is very nice guy, he should advised about that for his image
The same silly cut throat gesture the classless racist POS Bernard “I’ll never lose to a white boy” Hopkins used to always do.. I wonder if you labeled him classless?
I sure was happy when the humble classy Joe Smith kicked the royal crap out of Hopkins and made him eat those ignorant foolish words!
Hopkins made that comment before the calzaghe fight…and he got robbed against calzaghe in a fight hopkins deserved to win. by the time hopkins fought smith, hopkins was 50 years old. being happy a 50 year old got beat by a 20 something year old is more a reflection of your level of class than of hopkins.
what hopkins said was not nearly as classless as what alan minter said about black fighters before hagler knocked him out. or what racist oscar bonavena said about ali before ali knocked him out.
then Bernard hopking no have class too.
I seen worse…….relax
I don’t know if Josh Taylor hangs on to those belts long enough to make a round of mandatories. I don’t think he does and, if he doesn’t, Matias – Ponce for the vacant IBF is a great fight on paper.
Evan Holyfield still has much work to do in learning the science. Yes, he is undefeated, but cherry-picking opponents are all about learning and building the resume. The fact that he is Evander’s son does nothing in my opinion for his marketability to fight. It’s all about Evan’s performance and skills that put him in the forefront of the best.
Didn’t think Lukas had a chance because of the quality of his previous opponents .Should have won-one judge had it correct at 96-94 for him even with not getting credit for knockdown.
People giving Matias shit about the throat cutting gesture… look, Matias just avenged his only loss in a grueling war which he won by an explosive KO.
Matias has always shown his opponents the utmost respect. He praised Ananyan after this fight. He was truly remorseful and sorrowful and respectful about Dadashev. He’s a good sport. Cut him some slack.
And why bring race into it? Sure Hopkins and Kovalev even Tyson among others have said absolutely ignorant shit. And in the end they generally show respect and we understand those aren’t their finest moments…But I don’t see what any of that has to do with Matias?
Great victory by a guy who needed to avenge his loss. True fighting spirit.