In the Wilder-Helenius co-feature, former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) knocked out two-time WBC super middleweight champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (34-3, 25 KOs) in the ninth round of a WBC eliminator on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It was a ugly fight with plenty of wrestling and dirty tactics. The end came in round nine with a massive left hook that laid out Dirrell for several minutes. Time was 2:57.
Undefeated WBC #3, WBO #3, IBF #7 heavyweight Frank Sanchez (21-0, 14 KOs) scored a ninth round TKO against rugged Carlos Negron (25-4, 20 KOs) in a 10-rounder. After eight frustrating rounds, Sanchez broke through to drop Negron in round nine and got a referee’s stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 1:36.
In an IBF bantamweight eliminator, former IBF champion and IBF #6 rated Manny Rodriguez (21-2, 13 KOs) won a technical decision against previously unbeaten IBF #4 rated Gary Antonio Russell (19-1, 12 KOs). Rodriguez rocked Russell multiple times and dropped him in round eight. Rodriguez was hurt by a head clash in round nine and given time to recover. The corner of Rodriguez told officials that Rodriguez couldn’t continue after the round and the bout went to a decision. Official time was :02 of round ten. Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 99-93. This was a rematch, with their first fight ending in a no-decision after a headbutt in round one.
Super welterweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. (13-1, 8 KOs) took a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision against Limberth Ponce (19-6, 11 KOs). Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.
Unbeaten WBA #3, IBF #6, WBO #10, WBC #12 lightweight contender Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera (24-0, 14 KOs) won by eight round unanimous decision against Jerry “The Joker” Pérez (14-2, 11 KOs). Scores were 79-72, 79-72, 80-71. Perez down in round eight.
Undefeated 6’7 heavyweight Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (4-0, 4 KOs) battered 297lb former prospect Michael Coffie (13-3, 10 KOs) for six rounds and the bout was stopped after the sixth round.
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Coffie is a tough guy and his defense isn’t very good. He’s also pretty slow, especially at almost 300lbs. I think Coffie should retire. If he continues on, he will take some terrible beatings.
Gurgen doesn’t seem like much of a puncher, but he has quick hands and nice combinations – and he’s 24 which is a baby for a heavyweight.
Pretty much agree with everything thing you said. Coffie wasn’t quite as slow as I thought he’d be at that weight though, and touched Hovhannisyan more than I thought he would. Wonder who made the decision to end that fight, because it seemed to me that Coffie could have continued and maybe have gone the distance, albeit in a near shut-out loss. I do agree however, that he might want to hang up the gloves before too long. He eats too many punches.
Surprise of the night was Plant starching Dirrell. Not surprised Plant won….I figured he would… but he’s not known for his power, and Dirrell is pretty durable. Not sure Plant being a phallus after the fight won him many fans though. Obviously still pissed from Dirrell’s trash talking. Good bounce back win for Plant though.
Coffie could have continued surely USF, but I’m kinda glad he didn’t. I think the hardest shots Gurgen landed in that fight were to the body and it looked to me like 2-3 of them really bothered Coffie in the round before they stopped it. He could have lasted the final two most likely, but I didn’t need to see two more rounds of that.
There was an old UFC fighter named Tito Ortiz who used to do, pretty much, the same victory ‘routine’ that Plant did (Tito’s was even more elaborate actually, he’d mimmick laying the ‘body’ out if I recall correctly). I don’t remember having much of a reaction to him doing it after awhile but, especially considering some of Plant’s backstory – yeah, kind of sickening, now that I think about it. But he earned it, if that’s possible. Also expected him to win, never expected THAT to be the way – more likely a low-impact, clear decision.
Teofimo Lopez did the burying of the opponent thing on at least one occasion as well.
In the post-fighter presser, Plant said something along the lines of, “I was just burying the beef between us” in reference to his in-ring celebration.
lol! Was smiling when he said it?? C’mon Caleb! No one believes that man!
Not really smiling, but it got a laugh out of most in the room though. Pretty sure he meant it as a joke, but hard to tell with him…
Its Petty and low class to tease a downed opponent. Too many bad situations lately and boxers have actually died. His actions are triggering for a lot of people.
And took another cheap shot spreading rumors that Dirrel said he would “never lose to a whiteboy”. That was a lie. With his emotions and rumor spreading Im surprised he grew up with a father.
Anyone paying for that Wilder fight? If so will you post the round action? I can’t justify 80.00 for that fight
Wilder is must see TV!!!
I am so glad Antonio’s horrible defense, lousy punch sequences, horrible feet positions and lousy hand positions were finally exposed. Hard to correct a multitude of bad habits, so Antonio’s camp better show caution about fighting solid counterpunchers with decent pop.
The other brother (Antuanne) will also get eventually exposed for similar boxing habits. At least Antuanne has more power than Antonio.
I vote no for Antonio and for Antuanne.
Step it up Sanchez
Dirrell another POS saying I will never let a white boy beat me SMH
That was a vicious lie and you naïve fans eat it up. Plant should provide the audio or apologize
Russell lacked so much defense in this fight which led up to his defeat. Russell lacked performance in head movement, lateral movement, and simply keeping mobile to evade counters. I would think Gary, his brother, could train him with better defense in mind. I guess not. Losing is about learning and improving.
And thats why you dont trash talk in boxing. Making references to ending your opponents life/career; because you could end up totally embarassed with your legacy being completely destroyed at the feet of the man you just trash talked.
Plant Feels good now. Lol after the piss poor performance against Canelo.
that was not a piss poor performance he got whooped lol Happy that Plant stopped hype trash Dirrell it irks me knowing that he was even a world champion at one time muchless twice just shows the competition was home depot trash
Seem to remember Dirrell winning a title by a horrendous decision.
Wow, Plant actually legit KO’d somebody? It looks like the Dirrell Brothers both pack glass in their chins.
He got his big, highlight knockout, so do we now finally get Plant – Benavidez??
Wow, never thought I would say this, but Caleb Plant is in the running for knockout of the year!
And then acting like he was shoveling dirt and digging Dirrell’s grave was just brutal.
No surprise here. Dirrell at the tail end of his career.
Since when did Plant have power? Good comeback win for the guy but who does he fight next?.
This the same Dirrell who’s brother King hit Ustegano( Sorry for the spelling) after their fight? If so, the digging of the grave is justified. Also I read that Dirrell said he’d never lose to a white guy, how’s that going for ya you racist piece of shit.
Good win for Plant and against a good fighter.
Are we FINALLY going to get Plant vs BENAVIDEZ?!!!!!!!!!! No more excuses……
Fighting as a pro 18 years now and with that blue collar workman like style Anthony Dirrel was washed up ..the chin goes before power..he was never as good as his brother ..he just had a better chin and was tougher
I believe Dirrell was Plant-ed. Wow. I didn’t think he had the power to finish it like that. Dirrell says Plant was disrespectful before he was. Interesting, because I didn’t hear it, but I would like to know what Plant said.
No surprise here……..Dirrell has been a shot fighter for years now. Only question was if Plant would get him out of there or not. Maybe he’ll retire now
Now that Plant destroyed Dirrell does he consider himself a bum? Not only did a white boy beat him, the white boy buried him!!! Beautiful left hook shut Dirrell’s pie-hole. It could not have happened to a more deserving person.
Didn’t see that ending coming. Anthony has always been kind of hard to watch for me. He could hang’em up now. Not sure where Plant goes from here but it’s hard to envision him repeating this kind of performance against Benavidez or Canelo.
I’m not into the racist crap but win dirrell said he will never lose to a white boy that was bitter sweet lol
That was a brutal ko but for the childish antics that followed (from Caleb) the less said the better.
Dirrell wasn’t destroyed man, I only watched the highlights so don’t take my comments to full, but from what i saw it was a very tough even fight until Plant, well planted himself to set that left hook and although Plant hasn’t been known for his KO wins but that would of knocked anyone out, if you don’t see it coming there the ones that hurt, you have no head roll or anything to relieve the power, as for Benevidez of man he is something special that young man, my favourite boxer of any division, I don’t think Plant will last too long at all there. Benevidez is a cut above the rest