Raushee Warren Beats Juan Carlos Payano by Majority Decision
(Photo Credit: Leo Wilson / Premier Boxing Champions)
After 10 months of claims that he was robbed in their first fight, Raushee Warren (14-1) finally has accomplished his goal.
The Adrien Broner Band Camp fighter is now the WBA Super World bantamweight and IBO World bantamweight champion after taking Juan Carlos Payano the distance.
Payano, (17-1) however, was valiant as the aggressor, throwing 882 punches to Warren’s 514. While Payano out-landed Warren 162 to 160, it was the three-time Olympian who threw cleaner punches all night on his way to a 31 percent connect rate to Payano’s 18 percent rate.
Payano battled through a rib injury suffered in the early rounds but in round 11, Warren was able to stagger him early on and won the round on all three judges’ scorecards. In round 12, he opened up a cut under Payano’s right eye and the judges scored the bout 115-113 for Warren twice and 114-114.
Warren became the first member of the 2012 U.S. team to earn a world title. Some of his teammates that year were Dominic Breazeale, who fights for a world title this Saturday, Errol Spence, Jr. and Marcus Browne.
Joe Smith Upsets Andrzej Fonfara in Round 1
(Photo Credit: Nabeel Ahmad / Premier Boxing Champions)
Hard-hitting light heavyweight contender Joe Smith Jr. (22-1) delivered a shocking upset with a first round stoppage of Andrzej Fonfara (28-4).
A roundhouse right from Smith Jr. sent the Polish fighter to the canvas. Fonfara stumbled to his feet, but never regained his composure.
(Photo Credit: Nabeel Ahmad / Premier Boxing Champions)
Sensing the despair, Smith, Jr. attacked, connecting with a cross-hook combo that put Fonfara back on the ground. Fonfara was able to get to his feet, but was too shaky to continue, forcing stoppage to the fight at 2:32 in the first round.
UFC Fight Night: Stephen Thompson Wins Unanimously Over Rory MacDonald
Stephen Thompson was a tactician, subtly dismantling Rory MacDonald over five rounds for the unanimous decision victory.
MacDonald (18-4) tried to end the matter early by surprising Thompson with a rolling leg lock submission. Thompson, however, pulled free of danger, staying composed and measured throughout the bout.
Thompson (13-1) picked up his seventh straight win with judges scoring the bout 50-45 twice and 48-47 in MacDonalds hometown of Ottawa, Ontario.
The fight was the last on MacDonalds contract and he now is a free agent. The loss will determine if he stays with the UFC or will look to fight elsewhere.
Bellator 156: Eduardo Dantas Regains Bantamweight Belt From Marcos Galvao
It took 5 rounds but Eduardo Dantas is again the Bellator bantamweight champion after winning a unanimous decision over Marcos Galvao.
After a cautious first round, Dantas (18-4) opened the second stanza with a heavy spinning back fist, which didnt connect. He then seemed to find his groove as the round wore on, picking Galvao (17-7-1) apart with quick jabs and two-strike combinations.
Galvao couldnt deal with the speed of Dantas on the feet. Although he attempted to counter after getting cracked by a three-punch combination, the speed remained problematic throughout their exchanges.
