On Saturday in Birmingham, Ben Whittaker stormed past Benjamin Gavazi to a first-round knockout.
Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KO) defeated Gavazi (19-2, 13 KO) and shortly thereafter pounced on the German, knocking him down with a brutal right hand at the National Exhibition Center.
“The Surgeon,” the 2020 Olympic silver medalist, debuted with Eddie HearnMatchroom Boxing after leaving BOXXER Ben Shalom and was accompanied to the ring by rapper Dizzee Rascal in a dramatic walk around the ring.
The West Bromwich favorite didn’t let Gavazi off the hook and, after putting him on shaky feet with a left-right combination, Whittaker detonated with a stunning right hand that floored the 30-year-old.
Whittaker had secured the WBC Silver delicate heavyweight crown and was getting closer to a chance to fight WBC world champion David Benavidez.
Whittaker won the WBC silver delicate heavyweight title with a victory over Gavazi. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Bowen stunned by Cowling
Aaron Bowen suffered a shock first professional defeat as Tom Cowling rose to the top to produce a thriller.
Bowen (7-1, 5 KO) knocked down Cowling (15-1, 4 KO) in the fifth round with a forceful right hand punch, but the fighter from Nottinghamshire responded well, stunning the 26-year-old several times.
Bowen watched his feat as both men pulled away in a wild final round and the fight was on the scorecards.
The score of 96-93 in favor of the Coventry fighter was overshadowed by two scores of 95-94 for Cowling, who deservedly won the vacant Midlands Area middleweight title at his second attempt.
Cowling handed Bowen his first professional defeat. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Vuong-Wynne drew in the return match
In the rematch, Cameron Vuong and Gavin Gwynne tied in majority votes.
Vuong (9-0-1, 4 KO) scored a close victory over his Welsh rival in the first match last November, also in Birmingham.
‘The One’ had the best of the early exchanges, moving well in attack and beating the Welshman.
In the rematch, Vuong and Gwynne drew. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
However, in the second half of the fight, Gwynne (18-4-2, 5 KO) turned on strongly, putting constant pressure on the 23-year-old, who was struggling throughout the entire episode.
Both men went deep into the fight, feeling the fight was close, and the score reflected that.
The score of 97-93 in Vuong’s favor was overturned by two scores of 95-95, declaring the fight a stalemate and meaning neither fighter walked away with the vacant WBO Intercontinental lightweight belt that was at stake.
McCann defeats Cotton
Molly McCann secured her second professional victory since leaving the UFC, defeating Ebonie Cotton on points in a super bantamweight bout.
Cotton (1-1) was shut down after a fourth-round header, and McCann (2-0, 1 KO) finished his dominant performance with a score of 58-56.
McCann defeated Cotton. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Undercard remaining
Ibraheem Sulaimaan (10-0, 5 KO) won the vacant Midlands super featherweight title by defeating Nico Ogbeide (6-2-1) in the sixth round.
Former world title challenger Zelfa Barrett (34-3, 18 KO) won her third victory in a row, defeating Liam Dillon (15-5-1, 3 KO) on points.
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.