Undefeated Prospect Efe Apochi Scores Knockout Win Over Earl Newman in Main Event of PBC Prelims on FS2 & FOX Deportes
Click HERE for Photos
Credit: Jamie Morton/Beau Rivage Resort Casino
BILOXI, MS. (May 25, 2019) – Former super welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (31-5-1, 17 KOs) battled former title challenger Terrell Gausha (21-1-1, 10 KOs) to a split draw (96-94 for Trout, 99-91 for Gausha, 95-95) in a 10-round super welterweight bout that headlined Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes on Saturday night from Beau Rivage Resort Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
“We need to do that again. That wasn’t right,” said Trout of Las Cruces, N.M. “Let’s do it again. That was after a year layoff. Timing is going to be off. Now that I am a little more active. I need an immediate rematch. Immediate.
“You never know how the judges are seeing it, but I know 99-91 for (Gausha) wasn’t right. I was definitely in there more than one round,” continued Trout. “But I didn’t feel good in there tonight. I had to force a lot of things, and I had to close the gap in the later rounds.”
“I felt like I won the fight,” said Cleveland native Gausha. “That’s boxing sometimes. You don’t get the decision.
“I have been through a lot this camp. It is what it is,” continued Gausha. “I caught a bad cold the last week of training camp. My father passed away during this training camp.
“I don’t really care about a rematch with Trout,” concluded Gausha. “I just want bigger fights. I’d like to do something different. But if we have to go through (Trout) again we’ll do it and just make it more convincing next time.”
In the FS1 co-feature, unbeaten contender Chordale Booker (15-0, 7 KOs) defeated rugged veteran Wale Omotoso (27-4, 21 KOs) by unanimous decision (100-90 X 3) in a 10-round super welterweight contest. Booker, a southpaw from Stamford, Conn., dominated the action against the Nigerian Omotoso.
“I’m always emotional when I fight,” said Booker. “Today, I just let it all out. I feel like this was my time to shine after finally making it to this level. This was definitely a step-up fight for me, facing a guy that they told me nobody else wanted to fight.
“I feel like I’ve got nothing to lose,” continued Booker. “I just feel like I’m supposed to be here. I’ve put in a lot of work to get where I’m at, but I could have gone down a very different path. I got a second chance at life and now look where I’m at. I’d love to fight Trout or Gausha next, or any other title challenger that wants to fight, I’m ready. I pitched a shutout tonight and I’m prepared to be tested and prove I’m the best.”
The opening bout on FS1 featured Ahmed Elbiali (19-1, 16 KOs), an Egyptian-American who lives in Miami, Florida, scoring a technical knockout victory over Marlos Simões (13-2-2, 5 KOs) of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil who was unable to continue due to an injured jaw. Elbiali knocked Simões to the canvas and referee Keith Hughes stopped the contest 2:12 into the second frame.
“When he went down, I clipped him with a left hook,” said Elbiali. “I knew right away that I could hurt him, and that hook felt like it landed well. He was a tricky and really awkward opponent, but I just went for it and got the job done.
“I don’t really like calling out individual fighters, but I feel like I’m ready for a world title shot,” continued Elbiali. “We’re getting better with every fight and I’m ready.”
The swing bout on FS1 saw Chicago’s Shawn Simpson (10-0, 3 KOs) defeat Sergio Quiroz (6-2, 1 KO) of Los Angeles by unanimous decision (60-54 X 3).
The PBC Prelims on FS2 and FOX Deportes featured hard-hitting cruiserweight prospect Efe Apochi (8-0, 8 KOs) of Nigeria continuing his perfect knockout streak as he stopped Brooklyn’s Earl Newman (10-2-1, 7 KOs) 2:17 into round seven.
The FS2 co-main event showcased a welterweight attraction with top prospect Amon Rashidi (7-0, 5 KOs) of Dallas, Texas scoring a sensational knockout over Mexico’sJuan Jesus Garces (19-25, 13 KOs) 2:12 into the fourth round.
In the opening fight of the FS2 telecast, Ghanaian super middleweight Habib Ahmed(27-1-1, 18 KOs) defeated Colombia’s Juan De Angel (21-11-1, 19 KOs) by unanimous decision (80-72 X 3) in an eight-round contest.
# # #
Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FOX, FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku.
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, ht
tp://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports &www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.