Former World Champion Anthony Dirrell Drops Abraham Han on His Way to Unanimous Decision Victory

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Claudio Marrero Scores Sensational First Round Knockout Over

Previously Unbeaten Jorge Lara

Cliquez ICI for Photos from Hosanna Rull/

Premier Champions de boxe

STEP, TX. (Avril 28, 2018) – Rugged veteran contender Josesito Lopez (36-7, 19 KOs) a remporté une décision unanime sur Miguel Cruz (17-1, 11 KOs)in a welterweight attraction that headlined Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday night from Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

 

 

 

 

“I beat a great undefeated fighter tonight and I was able to out class him,” a déclaré Lopez. “I have some boxing ability clearly. I used my skills tonight. I felt that I dominated the pace, out worked him and I never let him do anything that hurt me.”

 

 

 

 

“Josesito was stronger than I thought,” said Cruz. “I took a little too long to get off and get going and it cost me.”

 

 

 

 

The action began to heat up in round three as Lopez broke through and began landing flush on Cruz to the head. Lopez controlled the action against Cruz on the ropes and when the real estate shifted to the middle of the ring.

 

 

 

 

Croix, who stated before the fight that attacking the body would be key, was twice deducted points by referee Rafael Ramos for low blows, once in round five and again in round six. This forced Cruz to abandon his predominant strategy.

 

 

 

 

“I didn’t agree with the calls on the low blows,” said Cruz. “I didn’t get a chance to work the body like I wanted. That was the plan coming in. They took it away from me.

 

 

 

 

“This is just another step in my journey. I didn’t get hurt or anything. I just need to get better in the gym and keep working combinations. I just have to get better.”

 

 

 

 

Under the guidance of renowned trainer Robert Garcia, Lopez boxed effectively and worked through the body attack and low blows to consistently win rounds and keep Cruz’s offense mostly at bay. Après 10 tours, judges ruled in favor of Lopez by scores of 98-90 et 99-89 deux fois.

 

 

 

 

“I think the biggest difference has been Robert Garcia in my corner,” a déclaré Lopez. “He has me living a healthier lifestyle and that played a big part in my victory. I have an elite trainer who is training me like an elite fighter. I was one step behind in the past, but now I think I’ve made up that distance and then some.

 

 

 

 

“Welterweight has a lot of good fighters, but I know I can compete with them. I’m a fan-friendly fighter who’s always going to leave it all in the ring.”

 

 

 

 

The co-main event saw former world champion Anthony Dirrell (32-1, 24 KOs) drop El Paso’s Abraham Han (26-4, 16 KOs) on his way to a unanimous decision in their 10-round super middleweight contest.

 

 

 

 

 

“I thought I did well tonight boxing him for 10 tours,” Saïd Dirrell. “I didn’t think I lost a round. Two of the judges thought so but I can’t do anything about that. Je faisais ce que je devais faire.

 

 

 

 

“Han has an incredible chin. He took everything I gave him. I even went to the body and gave it to him there. I was trying to go the body until the end but he still stood up. All I could do was keep pressuring him and get the victory.”

 

 

 

 

Greeted by a chorus of boos upon entering the ring, Dirrell sent the hometown fighter to the canvas with a right hand to the head late in round one as the bell rang. Han tried to use his movement, switching stances and tying Dirrell up to frustrate his opponent, and had some success as the two men wrestled each other to the canvas in the waning moments of round four and continued to push and shove on the ground until they were broken up by referee Laurence and sent to their corners.

 

 

 

 

Han was able to occasionally land clean punches, but nothing that ever disrupted the attack from Dirrell, who was too consistent and sharp with his power punches. Han believed that his lack of an effective jab hurt him in this fight.

 

 

 

 

“I wasn’t happy with my performance,” said Han. “I couldn’t get my jab going at all. If I had been more effective with that I think I would have been able to win more rounds.”

 

 

 

 

Après 10 tours d'action, all three judges score the bout in favor of Dirrell by scores of 100-89 et 99-90 deux fois. Dirrell, a former titleholder at 168-pounds vowed that he plans to fight one more time, for a world title.

 

 

 

 

“The champions at 168-pounds better look out,” Saïd Dirrell. “It’s going to be my last fight but I’m hungry to win another title.”

 

 

 

 

The opening bout of the telecast saw exciting featherweight contender Claudio Marrero (23-2, 16 KOs) deliver a stunning one punch knockout of Jorge Lara (29-1-2, 21 KOs) au premier tour de leur combat poids plume.

 

 

 

 

“Je savais qu'il serait agressif et nous avons travaillé très dur dans le camp d'entraînement pour y parvenir,” dit Marrero. “J'ai vu mon opportunité et je savais que c'était fini une fois que je me suis connecté.”

 

 

 

“Je viens de me faire prendre avec un bon coup de poing,” a déclaré Lara. “Je voulais être agressif et donner aux fans un super spectacle. Ça n'a pas marché dans mon sens. Je reviendrai et je serai mieux. Je vais retourner au travail et continuer à avancer vers mes objectifs.”

 

 

 

Lara a chargé en avant dans les premières secondes, mais a été attrapé par un crochet gauche parfait de Marrero lors de l'un des premiers échanges dans le combat et a été envoyé sur la toile. Pendant qu'il essayait de se relever, il a été clairement blessé lorsque l'arbitre Rocky Burke a interrompu le combat 33 secondes dans le premier tour.

 

 

 

 

“This was a message to the whole division,” dit Marrero. “I’m a championship-caliber fighter and I showed it again tonight. I’m ready to take on every champion out there. I want the best challenges and I proved tonight that I’m able to beat anyone. I have all the skills and I can’t wait to show them off against the best.”

 

 

 

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Les fans peuvent flux en direct les combats sur FOX Sports GO, disponible en anglais ou en espagnol à travers les flux FOX ou FOX Deportes. Les combats sont disponibles sur le bureau à FOXSportsGO.com et à travers l'App Store, ou des appareils connectés, y compris Apple TV, Android TV, TV Feu, Xbox One et Roku. En outre, tous les programmes sont également disponibles sur FOX Sports sur le canal SiriusXM 83 sur les radios par satellite et sur l'application SiriusXM.

 

 

 

 

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