Miami, OK (June 27, 2016) – Hot junior welterweight prospect Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk kept his perfect record intact following a three round thrashing of previously unbeaten Eliseo Cruz Saturday, June 25 in Miami, OK.
Topping an exciting fight card promoted by Holden Productions, Baranchyk fought his second consecutive match in the Sooner State. Backed by chants of “Beast, Beast, Beast” from the packed house at the Buffalo Run Casino, Baranchyk battered Cruz until his corner threw in the towel at 1:07 of the third round.
Baranchyk, a Russian based in Brooklyn, NY, is now 11-0 with 10 wins by knockout. Cruz, of Chiapas, Mexico, is 9-1-1 with 6 KO’s following his first setback.
“Four State Franchise” member Jesse Cook of Seneca, MO scored an impressive knockout of hard-hitting Balmaro Solis at 57 seconds of round three. After a slow opening stanza, Cook finished strong with a combination to cap the second. Early in round three, Cook connected with a picture perfect left hook to the body that sent Solis down for the count.
Cook improves to 17-1 (12 KO’s) while Solis of Kansas City, MO slips to 12-3 with all 12 wins by knockout.
Undefeated heavyweight Kenzie Witt-Morrison demolished previously unbeaten Robby Mendez in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Witt-Morrison who fights out of Tulsa, OK and is the half-brother of Trey Lippe-Morrison, battered Mendez until the stoppage.
A member of the “Four State Franchise” who bears a striking resemblance to his late father Tommy Morrison, Witt-Morrison is now 9-0-1 with 8 knockouts. Mendez heads back to Topeka, KS with a 2-1 record.
Bartlesville, OK’s Jarrett “Legacy” Rouse (9-0-1, 4 KO’s) and Noel Esqueda of Wichita, KS (6-3-1, 3 KO’s) fought to a six round draw. The competitive bout could’ve gone either way as both men had their moments but the judges ultimately ruled it even.
In other action, Cuban cruiserweight Luis Garcia (14-0, 12 KO’s) stopped Kansas City, MO veteran Demetrius Walker (8-13-2, 4 KO’s) in the first round.
2012 Azerbaijani Olympian Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev debuted successfully by outpointing Wichita resident Brandon Phillips Black (1-1, 1 KO) in a middleweight contest.
Debuting World Series of Boxing standout Hurshidbek Normatov of Uzbekistan topped Wichita’s Ramon Barber (6-11, 5 KO’s) in a middleweight affair.
“This was an outstanding, talent rich card.” said Tony Holden. “Ivan Baranchyk is quickly building himself a nice fan base here in Oklahoma and two of the “Four State Franchise” members scored knockouts. We expect to have Trey Lippe-Morrison back shortly and continue to provide our ticketholders with outstanding cards.”
Holden Productions’ next fight card will be announced shortly.