At Sony Hall yesterday evening, six entertaining fights were scheduled and internationally streamed live on DAZN. Here’s our recap highlighting the top fights in detail.
Terell Bostic Beats Carlos Marrero in Eight
Terell Bostic faced off against Carlos Marrero in a competitive super lightweight bout that went to the cards after eight.
Early on, both fighters looked to establish their jabs, with Bostic oftentimes flicking a quick jab upstairs and then ducking low to land more jabs toward the body.
Bostic, a polished southpaw, found continual success shooting down low, though Marrero was by no means an easy opponent to walk over.
Marrero did establish ring dominance, in the sense that he walked Bostic down and kept him at a distance where it felt ideal to attack.
But, his problem to the naked eye was evident, in that he did not throw nearly enough punches to ensure a decisive victory. Plus, while certainly landing more shots, Bostic was rather comfortable fighting off of his back foot.
Marrero walked forward with his high guard, absorbing numerous punches to the gloves, but Bostic was still able connect with his efficient speed.
By round five, both fighters were showboating, making basketball-like motions toward one another, as Bostic maintained his steady jab followed by a powerful right hand.
Marrero, in this round, did attack with confidence, and for a split second it seemed as if Bostic may have been in trouble, as he was a victim to a few knocking blows in the corner.
Again however, Bostic returned fire with a hard hitting overhand right, and from here forward was convincingly in charge.
By the end of the round, both fighters were standing toe-to-toe and exchanging, with Bostic landing a head jerking jab followed by a right hand to end the round.
For the remainder of the fight, both warriors were attacking, although Bostic was simply landing the more notable shots.
Bostic won by unanimous decision, jumping to 14-2 (2 KOs), and Marrero fell to 8-10-3 (1 KOs).
Donte Layne Extends Knockout Streak; Pachino Hill Lasts Four Rounds
Elmont, New York’s Donte Layne, as expected, put on an exciting show versus Pachino Hill in a super middleweight matchup that was scheduled for six rounds.
In the first, Layne was seemingly targeting the body with his straight left, though Hill, the out of town Iowa underdog, showed no fear and pushed forward from the first sound of the bell.
Hill, to the surprise of many, was actually able to land a few flush shots.
Both fighters were slugging it out, and in the middle of the round, Layne was able to do what he does best in connecting sharp power hooks with intent to end the fight once and for all.
But, Hill made it out of round one whole, something, as previously mentioned, that has not happened yet against Layne.
Layne came out hot in round two with a lead hook and straight left jolting Hill on the ropes.
And this is where things got interesting: Layne had a deep cut near his left eye that was leaking blood.
Finally, a bit of adversity — the ultimate test surrounding his heart and mind.
Hill began getting sloppy after an impressive round one, though still connected a bruising shot or two to the surprise of the crowd. But, he got knocked down in the third with a left uppercut to the body.
Hill survived, but was dropped again in round four from a straight right and an array of hooks which drew blood from the Iowan.
The third knockdown, Hill just couldn’t take any more damage, ultimately taking a knee from too much forward movement and ring pressure — and, of course, violent power shots.
Donte Layne improved to 6-0 (6 KOs), while Pachino Hill maintained his cold streak at 8-8-2 (6 KOs).
Flyweights Go to War — the Main Event
There’s no other way to word it: Andy Dominguez of Mexico City, Mexico, and Angel Morales of Tijuana, Mexico, engaged in a brutal, all out war.
Dominguez was sticking his jab promptly, and it seemed like this fight would end in a lop sided victory for him.
He showcased a natural boxing flow and ring control, with flurries of punches, dancing around with his light feet, engaging at unique angles.
Off to a slower start, Morales started looking to hurt Dominguez by inserting power in rounds two and three.
Round four was when the tides turned however, and Morales clipped Dominguez with a right hand knockdown to end the round.
It wouldn’t be so smooth sailing after all.
Dominguez attempted to dance in and out again come round five attacking in a shifty-like fashion, which did him well early on.
Morales on the other hand, was aware of the momentum change, and was now attacking with clear confidence, landing flush body shots and flurries of hooks to the head.
Morales’ dominant, quick combos quieted the crowd, and fast forward to round five, was now walking down the Mexico City favorite.
In the later rounds, both fighters stood toe-to-toe in the pocket, but Morales in round seven was the poised one — Dominguez seemed impatient and uncomfortable.
Morales would get hit — and hard — but come back and land flurries of twice as many punches.
Dominguez took advantage of Morales’ tiredness, and finished the bout strong in round eight, ultimately winning by split decision, in a fight that could have very well gone either way.
Dominguez reaches 12-1 (6 KOs), Morales, 8-3-3 (6 KOs).
Other Matchups:
Koby Williams Shoots Low to End Deonta Williamson in One Round
Koby Williams defeated Deonta Williamson by round one TKO as a result of altering body shots in a four round lightweight duel.
Williams improved to 4-0 (3 KOs) and Williamson dropped to 0-3.
Daniel Jefferson vs Jacob Riley Solis Ends in Controversial Split Draw
In a four round middleweight matchup with a questionable split decision draw, Daniel Jefferson of Florissant, Missouri, faced off against NYC’s own Jacob Riley Solis.
Solis was initially able to land body jabs despite the awkward stance and much longer reach of Jefferson, but it was clear the Missouri southpaw stuck and moved well enough to get the win — although, he didn’t.
The bout was deemed a SD draw, though both fighters voiced they are looking to run it back in February on the next card.
Solis remains undefeated at 5-0-1 (5 KOs) and Jefferson, 5-3-1.
NYPD Officer Nisa Rodriguez Hands Melody Popravak TKO Loss in Officer Packed Sony Hall
Middleweight Nisa Rodriguez had the building on fire last night after her round two TKO, as she overpowered Melody Popravak with her high intensity and forceful offense.
Popravak jumped the gun after the first bell, landing a few clean hits and pushing forward with high pace, although Rodriguez retaliated firing her right hand, and during the last seconds sneaking in a critical combo of hooks that stumbled Popravak.
Round two was fast, as a determined Rodriguez showed another quick combo of hooks to stop the contest once and for all.
“Nisa, Nisa,” the crowd chanted.
Rodriguez is still perfect, at 3-0 (3 KOs), and Popravak, 2-2-1 (1 KOs).
Jack Walsh is a New York-based journalist, currently working at a television station as a real time editor, and also an amateur boxer. He hopes to continue diving into the journalistic side of boxing and provide a unique, independent perspective. His work has also appeared in Boxing News Online.