BOXING
Errol The Truth Spence, Jr. TKOs Chris Algieri in Round 5
Top prospect turned contender, Errol Spence, Jr., racked up the biggest win in his promising career by stopping the previously unstoppable Chris Algieri in spectacular fashion
“The Truth” dominated by landing 41% of his power punches and only lost one round on the three judges’ scorecards. Spence Jr. sent Algieri down for the first time in the fourth round with a combination finished off by a straight left hand.
“It meant a lot to get the stoppage,” said Spence Jr. “I did something Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan couldn’t do. That shows where I’m at in the welterweight division. Everyone wanted to see what I could do against a proven fighter and I blew him out of the water.”
Algieris only losses before meeting Spence came at the hands of Pacquiao and Khan. However, neither were able to finish him. This loss makes a statement that Algieri should consider returning to the 140-lb ranks as the current slew of 147-lb welterweight top contenders might be proving a bit much for him.
“I can’t take anything away from this young hungry lion,” said Algieri. “He did a great job. I trained really hard for this fight. I hope that people appreciate me and how hard I worked and what I brought to the fight.”
Spence, Jr. improves his record to 20-0 while Algieri falls to 21-3.
Gary Russell, Jr. Destroys Patrick Hyland in Round 2
After a 13-month layoff due to injuries, the WBC Featherweight Champion needed only two rounds to retain his 126-lb title against Irelands Patrick Hyland.
Hyland came out aggressive, flicking some quick jabs after the opening bell. But Russells lightning-fast hands overwhelmed Hyland in the second round. A vicious right hook knocked Hyland to the canvas for the first time in his career.
Another right hook by Russell a few seconds later put Hyland on his back once more. That was followed by a furious combo, fueled by a big left hand, and was capped by a right that ended the fight. The whole thing took a little over 1 minute in the second round.
Im ready to fight anyone in the division Santa Cruz, Lee Selby. We are ready. But what I really want is (Vasyl) Lomachenko. I dont care if he moves up to 147 pounds. I will go anywhere to get that fight, Russell said.
Many thought that Russell would make little work of Hyland and much has been said about Russells opponents not being up to his caliber besides Lomachenko, who gave him his only loss and Jhonny Gonzalez who he bested for his WBC Featherweight title.
Russell improves to 27-1 while Hyland drops to 31-2.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Glover Teixeira KOs Rashad Evans at the 1:48 mark of Round 1
UFC Light Heavyweight Glover Teixeira picked up the biggest win of his career by knocking out former champion Rashad Evans.
Teixeira replaced Evans original opponent, Mauricio Shogun Rua, a mere few weeks ago, but needed no time to dispatch Evans to the canvas for the win.
Evans looked early to land his signature right hand, the same one that KOd Chuck Liddell back in 2008, but he missed instead, getting into an exchange that he lost.
Teixeria landed a left hook that caught Evans flush, dropping him to the canvas. His attempt to get up was halted by a right hand that put him down and out in under two minutes of round one.
Teixeira wasted no time on speculating who he wants next as he eyed Anthony Rumble Johnson, teammate of Rashad Evans at the Blackzilians camp, who was in attendance.
Lets dance, Teixeira said to Johnson. Lets make some money.
Teixeira improves to 25-4 while Evans gets his second loss in a row dropping to 24-5-1.
Patricky Pitbull Freire Beats Kevin Souza Via Decision in Bellators Italy Debut
Needing all three rounds, Patricky Freire topped Kevin Souza by unanimous decision at the Pala Alpitour Arena in Turin, Italy.
Souza (15-5) stepped in to the lightweight main event on just one weeks notice after Freires (16-7) original opponent fell out with injury. Souza was unable to escape Freires offensive advances and was outpointed over the course of the three rounds.
Italian Alessio Sakara (18-11) survived a first round takedown and pounding by Brian Rogers (12-9) to score a KO in the second round.
Also, top prospects A.J. McKee and Anastasia Yankova, who is Bellators hope for a Ronda Rousey equivalent, remain unbeaten as McKee (4-0) scored a first round KO over Danilo Belluardo (5-1) and Yankova (3-0) delivered an armbar to opponent Anjela Pink (0-1) that sent her tapping also in the first round.
