Photo: Emily Harney
By Billy “Loops” Luppert at ringside
Welterweight Isaac Hlatshwayo (29-1-1, 10 KOs) scored a twelve round split decision over Delvin Rodriguez (24-3-2, 14 KOs) to claim the vacant IBF world title on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. In a tough, gritty fight, Hlatshwayo was largely successful in silencing Rodriguez’ hometown fans as he methodically built a lead on the scorecards over the second half of the fight. In the end, scores were 116-113, 116-112 Hlatshwayo, 115-113 Rodriguez. The two fought to a draw last November in an IBF eliminator. Later champion Joshua Clottey vacated the belt in order to face Miguel Cotto.
Photos: Emily Harney
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- Photo: Emily Harney
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Olympian junior middleweight Demetrius Andrade (6-0, 5 KOs) scored an impressive second round KO over Chad Greenleaf (11-13-1, 5 KOs). A body shot ended it at 1:38.
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Unbeaten middleweight Tarvis Simms (25-0-1, 11 KOs) won a split decision over Marcus Upshaw (11-4-1, 5 KOs). Simms dropped Upshaw in round four and seemed clearly ahead. Scores were 77-74, 77-74 Simms and a surprising 76-75 for Upshaw.
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Junior middleweight Ray Serrano (10-0, 6KOs) stayed undefeated with a third round TKO over Jessie Davis (11-14, 8 KOs). Serrano dropped Davis in round 3 with a right hand to the head, followed by a left to the body. Davis was able to beat the count, but seconds later, a vicious combination from Serrano pinned Davis against the ropes and referee Danny Chivone stepped in and stopped the fight. Time of the stoppage was 2:02.
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Undefeated cruiser Yathomas Riley (7-0, 5KOs) scored a first round KO over Tiwon Taylor (26-16-1, 19KOs) at 2:59 of the round. Riley was in command the whole fight, dropping Taylor twice in the first round. The second knockdown, a hard right hand, came a split second before the bell sounded to end the round, and referee Bendi Esteves stopped the fight at 2:59 of the round.
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Former world title challenger Maureen Shea (13-2, 1NC, 7KOs) suffered her second consecutive defeat after being knocked out by Lindsay Garbatt (3-2, 3 KOs). It was a tough fight for both fighters, as both women battled one another from the inside. The end came at 1:52 of the 7th round, as Garbatt landed a sharp right hand that dropped Shea and prompted the referee to call a halt to the bout.
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In an entertaining opening bout, lightweights Dominic DeSanto (2-1-1, 1NC, 2KOs) and Eliud Torres (2-1-2) both survived knockdowns en route to a 4 round unanimous draw. Scores of the bout were 37-37 on all 3 scorecards.
