American Kervonta Davis set the scene for a megafight in April against compatriot Ryan Garcia after defeating Dominican Hector Luis Garcia by technical knockout in the ninth round at the Capital One Arena in Washington.
With the win, Kervonta retained the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight regular champion title in 2019 after a knockout in addition to “securing” a lucrative fight against ‘King’ Ryan at the 136lb catchweight. In the 12th round is Cuban Euryorgis Gamboa.
The 28-year-old American boxer started slowly, but after the fourth round he took control of the fight against an opponent who was giving him nothing and remained competitive until the ninth round.
“I knew he was hurt when I touched him,” Kerwonda said in the center of the ring after the fight. “I have to keep working, I’m a fighter, I’m always winning, I’m always learning.”
Regarding his opponent, he indicated that Hector Luis Garcia’s style bothered him a little because he was not used to fighting lefties. “I was trying to beat him mentally. I was trying to trick him with my hands and my eyes. He’s a top fighter, so I had to impress him…”
Meanwhile, ‘El Android’ Garcia explained the reason for his resignation, “I got hit in the head (at the end of the eighth round) and I can’t see, I don’t know where I am. My head still hurts. I can’t see, but my vision is back. Until then, the fight It was going well, I was looking for places to hit him and I think I hurt him too.”
Tank once again walked a tightrope before dropping Garcia in the 8th round, landing 30 of 46 punches, including 29 power shots (39 thrown). Kudos to Garcia for staying in the pocket all fight. #DavisvsGarcialive pic.twitter.com/626cX1n3U6
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023
Davis now holds a record 28 wins including 26 knockouts, 92.86 percent of his wins by chloroform and a prelude to the biggest fight of his career.
In this regard, Kervonda insisted with a smile on his face: “I am ready for a fight [vs. Ryan]. It is scheduled for April. He was practicing and talking. Kervonda Davis vs. April 15 in Las Vegas. Ryan Garcia is scheduled, but that matchup isn’t official yet.
For reigning WBA super featherweight champion Hector Lewis, the loss was the first of his career in 19 starts (including two no contests).
‘Boots’ Ennis Chukhadzhian Marathon ruins
In a lackluster bout, Jaron Ennis (30-0-0, 27 KOs) outpointed Ukrainian Karen Chukatjian (21-2-0, 11 KOs) for the IBF Interim IFRC Welterweight title.
Despite earning boos from the crowd at the Capital One Arena, Ennis spent the entire fight chasing down the European, who committed himself to a run to avoid a knockout loss in his first appearance in America.
The judges’ scorecards reflected scores of 120-108, 120-108, 120-108. That means Ennis won all 12 rounds.
“I came here to dominate. I could have thrown more punches and knocked him out, but that was my fault. I learned to be patient and I’m glad I felt better in 12 rounds. I should have knocked him out,” Ennis said. “My competitor ran a lot, but I take my hat off to him because a lot of people avoided me.”
Commenting on what’s next in his career, Ennis said, “Everybody knows I want to fight the winner of Errol Spence and Virgil Ortiz vs. (Emontas) Stanianis. We’re going all out. I’ll wait for the right time. And Spence is ready.”
Tank once again walked a tightrope before dropping Garcia in the 8th round, landing 30 of 46 punches, including 29 power shots (39 thrown). Kudos to Garcia for staying in the pocket all fight. #DavisvsGarcialive pic.twitter.com/626cX1n3U6
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023
Venezuela surprises Villa ‘Speedy’ Ellis with controversy
A powerful finish to the championship rounds, including two knockdowns in the 12th round, saw Venezuelan welterweight Royman Villa (26-1-0, 24 KOs) rally for a controversial majority decision win over American Rashidi. Ellis (24-1-0, 15 goals).
Two judges saw the South American team win by the same score of 114-112, while the other judges gave it a 113-113 tie.
“Ellis was a very tough opponent, he moved a lot and hit hard. I was a little nervous in the opening rounds, but then I was able to let go,” Villa said. “I followed him from the first round. I knew he was going to burn out sooner or later and I took advantage of that.”
Ellis dominated most of the match, living up to his nickname. He set the tempo at will and canceled out Villa’s power as he showed coordination but his slowness made it easy to elude the American fighter en route to a comfortable victory. The numbers revealed by Compubox in the first nine rounds are the number of difference in the ring.
Boots is getting some much-needed experience. A master boxer with a solid chin. 88 of Ennis’ 203 landed punches were body shots that helped take the wind out of Chugadjian’s sails. pic.twitter.com/ePJlWFtSde
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023
However, in the championship rounds, Villa began to land power shots on the more consistent and less offensive Ellis, who struggled through the first nine rounds.
Villa, knowing he was trailing on the scorecards, sent Ellis to the canvas twice, enough to create a 10-7 margin on the judges’ ballot, a score that went to his return. And will win the most important fight of his life.
“My corner told me to knock him down in the last round. I worked hard and won,” said the Colombia-based fighter. “If he wants a rematch, I’ll give him a rematch. I like Mexican boxers to loosen up and fight…, and I like the way he fights, so I’ll give it to him.”
“I want a rematch right now. I’m fine (physically). I thought I was dictating the terms of the fight, I don’t know what happened,” Ellis replied in frustration. “I didn’t agree with the judges. I won most of the rounds. Yes, he beat me, but I won most of the rounds.”
Demetrius Andrade shined at super middleweight
After nearly 14 months without a fight, ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (32-0-0, 19 KOs) defeated Demont Nicholson (26-5-1, 22 KOs) by unanimous decision at 168 pounds. A 10 round call.
All three judges found Andrade winning 100-88.
Ellis dominated most of the fight with his jab before Villa’s power showed. Villa have beaten 12th-placed Ellis twice in the last two rounds, 64-24. @ShowtimeBoxing pic.twitter.com/nb56iNMd5t
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023
“I felt good. I definitely felt the difference in weight, but both speed and combinations and my intelligence were key today,” he said after the fight. “The only way to be the best is to face the best. Everyone knows Demand Nicholson is tough, that’s why I agreed to fight him. He proved that tonight.”
The American boxer lost his fight against Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, dropping his opponent with a powerful straight left hand in the second round. Then, in the tenth round, he connected with punches again and sent him to the canvas.
Andrade landed 54% of his power punches while limiting Nicholson to 28 landed punches, tied for 3rd-fewest in 10-round fight history. pic.twitter.com/oKMrUlkYpZ
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023
Andrade, a dual world champion (middleweight and super welterweight), came out more aggressive than usual, unleashing 4-5 combinations and 6 punches to feast on Nicholson in the first five rounds.
From the sixth, Andrade dropped the intensity, but Nicholson did nothing but protect himself from his opponent’s power, speed and accuracy.
Undercard results: January 7: Capital One Arena, Washington DC.
• Kervonda Davis G (TKO-9/12) Hector Luis Garcia, lightweight
• Jaron Ennis G (TU-12/12) Karen Sukatjian, welterweight
• Rashidi Ellis B (DMK-12/12) Royman Villa, welterweight
• Demetrius Andrade G (UT 10/10) Demand Nicholson, super middleweight
• Vito Mielnicki Jr. G (DKO-4/10) Omar Rosales, super welterweight
• Kyron Davies G (TU-8/8) Christian Fabian, super middleweight
• Brandon Lee G (DKO-4/8) Diego Gonzalo look, super lightweight
•Traven Marshall G (TKO-1/8) Shawn West, super welterweight
•Lamont Peterson B (TKO-4/6) Michael Ogundo, super lightweight
•Keyshawn Williams G (TU-6/6) Gustavo David Vittori, welterweight
• Mia Ellis G (TKO-1/4) Karen Dulin, women’s lightweight
• Khalil Major Hackett G (TKO-1/4) Joel Guerra, welterweight
