WBO World Flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez stopped IBF World Flyweight champion “Showtime” Sunny Edwards in a unification bout at one second of the tenth round on Saturday night at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
In the co-feature former IBF and WBA Super Bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev stopped the previously unbeaten Kevin “Chacal” Gonzales in 8 rounds.
In the Main Event WBO World Fly champ southpaw Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, 19-0 (12), #111.6, of San Antonio, TX, stopped IBF World Fly champ ‘Showtime’ Sunny Edwards, 20-1 (4), #111.6, of Sheffield, London, UK, at 0:1 of the tenth round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first round Rodriguez chased Edwards all over the ring. In the second round Rodriguez hurt Edwards with a body shot halfway through the round. In the third rounds final seconds Edwards turned southpaw and rocked Rodriguez with a lead left followed by a right on the chin.
In the sixth round it turned into a war when Referee Chris Flores warned Rodriguez for a low blow. Rodriguez came back to hurt Edwards and started sticking out his tongue when Edwards hit him several times at the bell. In the seventh round Edwards was cut on both eyebrows.
In the ninth round the ring physician almost stopped it to the cuts of Edwards. Starting the tenth Rodriguez landed a punch when the referee waved it off as the towel was about to be thrown in.
In the co-feature former IBF and WBA Super Bantam champ southpaw Murodjon Akhmadaliev, 12-1 (9), #121.6, of Chust, UZB and Indio, CA, stopped southpaw Kevin “Chacal” Gonzales, 26-1-1 (13), #121, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, MEX, at 2:49 of the eighth of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first three rounds it was close with Akhmadaliev having a slight edge. In the fifth round Akhmadaliev continued outworking Gonzales.
In the sixth round Akhmadaliev dropped Gonzales twice with left hands to the chin for 8-counts by Referee Mark Calo-oy. In the seventh round Akhmadliev continued battering Gonzales.
In the eighth round Akhmadliev dropped Gonzales with a combination for an 8-count. In the final seconds Akhmadliev had Johnson down again forcing referee Calo-oy to call a halt.
2020 Olympic Gold Medalist and WBC Int’l Fly champ southpaw Galal Yafai, 6-0 (4), #111,8, of Birmingham, UK, retained his title in defeating Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro, 22-3 (6), #111.4, of Apple Valley, CA, over 10 rounds.
In the first four rounds it was all Yafai out landing Santomauro. In the seventh and eighth rounds Yafai had Santomauro pretty well beaten. In the ninth and tenth rounds it was all Yafai with Santomauro getting in the final punches at the end of each round. Referee Chris Flores.
Scores were 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93.
Super Bantam Peter McGrail, 8-1 (5), #121.6, of Liverpool, UK, was knocked out by Ja’Rico O’Quinn, 17-1 (9), #122, of Detroit, MI, at 2:19 of the fifth round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first two rounds McGrail had the edge being the aggressor dropping O’Quinn in the second for an 8-count. In the fourth round a lead left from southpaw McGrail on the chin and down went O’Quinn for a second time a minute into the round for an 8-count from Referee Mark Calo-oy.
In the fifth round with McGrail having his way causing a cut on the left eyebrow of O’Quinn when he landed a left and out of nowhere a right from O’Quinn on the chin put McGrail down under the ropes for the count from referee Calo-oy.
Super Bantam Arturo “Cardenas” Popoca, 12-0-1 (8), #123.4, of Sayhuayo de Morelos, MEX, stopped Carlos Mujica, 8-4 (2), #122, of Caracus, VZ, Las Vegas, NV, at 1:24 of the fourth of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the fourth round with Mujica’s face covered with blood Referee Chris Flores wisely called a halt when the towel came into the ring.
Super Welter southpaw Junaid “Star Boy” Bostan, 8-0 (6), #155.2, of Rotherham, Yorkshire, UK, defeated Gordie Russ ll, 6-1 (6), #155.2, of Detroit, MI, over 8 rounds.
In the first two rounds Bostan outworked and out landed Russ. In the third round Russ came back well. In the fifth through the eighth it was all Bostan.
Referee Joe Chavez with All scores 79-73
Feather Albert Gonzalez, 7-0 (3), #127.2 of Perris, CA, knocked out Alexis “Picudito” Molina, 9-3-1 (5), #126.2, of Guadalajara, MEX, at 2:24 of the second of a scheduled 6 rounds.
In the second round it was a war with each going to the body well. Gonzalez knocked out Molina with a left hook to the body as Referee Joey Chavez counted him out.
Feather Joe McGrail, 8-0 (4), #125.8, of Liverpool, UK, stopped Edgar Ortiz, Jr. 8-5-2 (4), #123, of Phoenix, AZ, at 2:40 of round two of a scheduled 6 rounds.
In the first round McGrail scored a knockdown with a left hook to the body. Upon rising again McGrail landed a left hook to the body of Ortiz for a second 8-count from and referee Mark Calo-oy.
In the second rounds end of a minute a left hook to the body from McGrail and down went Ortiz for an 8-count from referee Calo-oy.
In the final seconds of the round again a left hook to the body from McGrail and down went Ortiz forcing referee Calo-oy
Ring announcer David Diamante
