Russell retains the WBC Featherweight Belt at Foxwoods Resort and Casino.
Photos by Kirk Lang
[MASHANTUCKET, CT –Foxwoods Resorts and Casino]
WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. battles Ireland's Patrick "The Punisher" Hyland. Two southpaws in the ring. During round 2 Russell scored three knockdowns in round two of 12 by the 3rd knockdown referee Danny Schiavone calls a halt to the bout at 1:33 and wins by TKO., retaining the WBC Featherweight Belt. Russell increases to 27-1 and Hyland decrease to 31-2.
IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Jose "Sniper" Pedraza of Cidra, PR takes on top contender Stephen "Swifty" Smith of Liverpool, UK. Pedraza setting up Smith with the jab and following up with the right hook. Smith’s eye/face had a welt and was bleeding along with a bloody nose. Smith kept tying up Pedraza. Pedraza just had that great defense. The final score, 119-110; 116-111 and 116-111 all for Pedraza. Pedraza increases to 22-0 and Smith decreases to 23-2.
Light heavyweights – 10 Rounds - Former world champion "Bad" Chad Dawson of nearby New Haven, Conn faced familiar boxer Cornelius White of Houston, Texas. Chad looking great in the ring. During round 4, Chad sets up White and lands with a great uppercut. Danny Schiavone calls a halt to the bout at 2:26 in round 4. White was upset by the stoppage.
Welterweights – 4 Rounds - Anthony Marsella Jr. making his pro debut fights Anton Williamson (1-6-0) of New Rochelle, NY. Marsella being the aggressor of the two, but Williamson landed some precision shots on Marsella. When I asked Harold Lederman what he scored the bout, his comment “39-37”. All three judges scored the bout 39-37 for Marsella.
Female Super bantamweights – 6 Rounds - Shelley Vincent from nearby Providence, Rhode Island went the distance of 6 rounds when she fought New Mexico's Elizabeth Anderson. Both fighters exchanged punches. Anderson ended up with a bloody nose. Looks like a cat fight. Vincent wins by UD. Judges scored the bout 60-54; 59-55; 59-55.
Junior lightweights – 8 Rounds - Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski from Quincy, Massachusetts vs. Mario Macias of Mexico City, Mexico. In the beginning rounds not too much action. Round 6 Macias takes a knee and gets the count by referee Eddie Claudio Kielczweski controls the bout and wins by UD. All 3 judges scored the same 80-71.
Welterweight – 4 Rounds, Mykquan “Mikey” Williams making his pro debut vs. Dean Walsh, Jr of Monroe, Michigan. A big fan base came out and supported Williams who dropped Walsh with a body shot in the first round. Walsh wore sneakers in the ring.
Featherweights: Antonio Russell of Capital Heights, MD vs. Alberto Serna of Ensenda, Mexico. Russell wins by 2nd round TKO.
Follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @MrGaryRussellJr, @PajPunisher, @Sniper_Pedraza, @SwiftySmith, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment .
Promoted by: DiBella Entertainment. The bout featuring Pedraza and Smith was promoted in association with Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and Matchroom Boxing.
TV TAPING: SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
VENUE: Foxwoods Resorts and Casino
