ATLANTIC CITY– Middleweight’s D’Mitrus Ballard and Elias Espadas battled to a no-contest when Espadas was deemed not able to continue due to a cut over his left eye in round three of their scheduled 10-round bout at The Ocean Casino Resort,
In round three, Espadas was cut badly over the left eye from a headbutt. There were was a furious exchange where both fighters seemed hurt in the 3rd. Later in the round, the ringside doctor called a halt to the bout at
Ballard, 159.6 lbs of Temple Hills, MD is 20-0. Espadas, 159.2 lbs of Merida, Mex is 18-4-1.
D’Mitrius Ballard
“I felt like the fight could’ve went on. I’m not the judge, I’m not the doctor. He decided to stop the fight, so I just have to live with the decision and move forward.”
“If I don’t fight Espadas in the next fight, I want to do a rematch for a belt. This is my first time fighting at 160 and I feel good and strong. I’m confident in my abilities and there are a lot of great fighters at 160 and I’m here to take my claim in the ring.”
“I respect any man that comes into that ring. We are battling for our lives on that ring. Espada is a tough fighter, he is a good quality opponent and a real quality fighter. I’m sure he will be back after this and I have much respect for him.”
Elias Espadas
“I knew this was a hard and complicated fight, but my team did a great job. I think we are doing things correctly.”
“I would love to get better, continue to train hard and my team will decide if we do a rematch with Ballard.”
Eddie Gomez was explosive in scoring a 2nd round stoppage over Saul Corral in a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout
In round two, Gomez dropped Corral with a hard right. Seconds later, it was a crush double-left to the body that sent Corral to the canvas. Corral was hurt and a clipping left sent him down for a 3rd time. Gomez ended with a devastating flurry of punches that had the referee stop the bout as Corral was falling for a 4th and final time at 1:55.
Gomez, 146. lbs of Bronx, NY is now 23-3 with 13 knockouts. Corral, 146.4 lbs of Douglas, AZ is 30-14.
“Great fight, great team. I worked hard and it showed tonight. My opponent was a tough fighter, and we knew he was tough coming in. I just knew I had to do my job,” Said Gomez
WBC Super Middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn stopped Kayla Williams in the 5th Round of a scheduled eight-round non-title bout.
The fight featured some wild exchanges, but Crews Dezurn landed the harder shots, and the bout was halted at 1:40 after Crews Dezurn landed several more flush shots.
Crews Dezurn, 167.6 lbs of Norfolk, MD is 5-1 with two knockouts. Williams, 164.2 lbs of New Iberia, LA is now 0-3-1.
“Thank you so much Golden Boy for letting me fight on this show. I hope the fans enjoyed it. Every time I come I’m going to bring action, and I’m just going to fight because I’m fighting for my dreams. My opponent definitely brought it to the ring and she is a tough cookie; I appreciate her for taking the fight.,” said Crews Dezurn
Gabriel Pham won a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Jab Khositashivili in a super middleweight bout.
In round one, Pham was credited with a knockdown when he landed a right hook that made Khositashvili’s knee hit the canvas. In round four, Khositashvili was bleeding from his nostril.
Pham, 167.8 lbs of Atlantic City won by scores of 60-53 and 59-54 twice and is mow 11-1. Khositashvili, 167 lbs of Philadelphia is 4-1.
“I boxed well. He was a tough guy and kept coming forward; I just had to use the angles and move around, just like my trainer told me to do. I followed the game plan and came out victorious, so I’m happy,” said Pham
Mike Reed won a eight-round unanimous decision over Angel Hernandez in a welterweight bout.
Reed, 141.4 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 twice and is now 25-2. Hernandez, 141.8 lbs of McAllen, TX is 15-14-2.
“This was a very tough fight, exactly what I needed right now. I’m looking for the world title at 135 or 140. I feel really good,” said Reed.
George Rincon remained undefeated by stopping Greg Young Jr. in round four of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.
In round one, Rincon dropped Young with a hard left to the body. After continuously beating down Young, Rincon landed a flurry of shots that was finished with a body shot that sent Young down for the 10-count at 2:01.
Rincon, 139.8 lbs of Dallas, TX is 7-0 with four knockouts. Young, 141.4 lbs of Hoover, AL is 4-2.
“I started strong and I thought I got him on the first round. I was a little anxious to finish, but it was a great fight. I learn with each fight and I’m ready for the next one,” said Rincon.
Dan Murray won a four-round unanimous decision over Leonardo Kenon in a super lightweight bout.
Murray, 140 lbs of Barnaget, NJ won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 5-2. Kenon, 136.6 lbs of Quincy, FL is 3-6.
“It was a good fight. I was thinking too much in there, that’s why I hesitated a lot, but all around I had him a couple of times. It’s a learning experience, this is why we are here. I’m glad for my win, my team, my advisor, my manager. Thank you Golden Boy for this opportunity,” said Murray.
