Plant KOs Dirrell in nine
In the Wilder-Helenius co-feature, former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) knocked out two-time WBC super middleweight champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (34-3, 25 KOs) in the ninth round of a WBC eliminator on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It was a ugly fight with plenty of wrestling and dirty tactics. The end came in round nine with a massive left hook that laid out Dirrell for several minutes. Time was 2:57.
Undefeated WBC #3, WBO #3, IBF #7 heavyweight Frank Sanchez (21-0, 14 KOs) scored a ninth round TKO against rugged Carlos Negron (25-4, 20 KOs) in a 10-rounder. After eight frustrating rounds, Sanchez broke through to drop Negron in round nine and got a referee’s stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 1:36.
In an IBF bantamweight eliminator, former IBF champion and IBF #6 rated Manny Rodriguez (21-2, 13 KOs) won a technical decision against previously unbeaten IBF #4 rated Gary Antonio Russell (19-1, 12 KOs). Rodriguez rocked Russell multiple times and dropped him in round eight. Rodriguez was hurt by a head clash in round nine and given time to recover. The corner of Rodriguez told officials that Rodriguez couldn’t continue after the round and the bout went to a decision. Official time was :02 of round ten. Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 99-93. This was a rematch, with their first fight ending in a no-decision after a headbutt in round one.
Super welterweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. (13-1, 8 KOs) took a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision against Limberth Ponce (19-6, 11 KOs). Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.
Unbeaten WBA #3, IBF #6, WBO #10, WBC #12 lightweight contender Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera (24-0, 14 KOs) won by eight round unanimous decision against Jerry “The Joker” Pérez (14-2, 11 KOs). Scores were 79-72, 79-72, 80-71. Perez down in round eight.
Undefeated 6’7 heavyweight Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (4-0, 4 KOs) battered 297lb former prospect Michael Coffie (13-3, 10 KOs) for six rounds and the bout was stopped after the sixth round.
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