In an emphatic display of power and precision, IBF USBA Super Welterweight champion Ardreal Holmes, Jr. (15-0, 10 KOs) squared off against Marlon Harrington (10-2, 9 KOs) at the Auditorium Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico. The scheduled ten-round bout came to an early conclusion at 1:25 of the second round, following a decisive series of punches from Holmes that left Harrington unable to continue.
The action escalated quickly in the second round when Holmes landed a potent left on Harrington's chin, sending him to the canvas for an eight-count by referee Ansel Stewart. Moments later, a powerful right hook from Holmes sent Harrington reeling into the ropes and then down again, prompting referee Stewart to halt the bout and secure Holmes's victory by technical knockout.
In the co-main event, light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (12-0, 8 KOs) continued his undefeated streak with a fourth-round stoppage of Britton “Great Britt” Norwood (13-5-1, 10 KOs). The bout was stopped at 1:28 of the fourth round by referee Benjamin Rodriguez, following Izmailov’s relentless attack that had Norwood’s corner signaling for the bout’s conclusion.
The card also featured former National Golden Gloves champion Joseph Hicks, Jr. (10-0, 7 KOs), securing a fourth-round TKO over Ricardo “Bebo” Villalba (20-11-1, 8 KOs) in a super welterweight bout scheduled for six rounds. Hicks’s body shots proved too much for Villalba, leading to the stoppage at 0:40 of the fourth round.
Additionally, middleweight Da’Velle Smith (8-0, 6 KOs) earned a unanimous decision victory over Rolando Wenceslao Mansilla (19-14-1, 9 KOs) after six rounds. Smith’s control and technique were on full display, earning him scores of 59-55 and 60-54 twice. In a surprising upset, super featherweight Cameran “The Problem” Pankey (9-1, 4 KOs) fell to Juan Martinez (3-3-2, 0 KOs) over six rounds, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Image Credit: Adam Dewey