Devin Haney retained the WBC Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa at the Seminold Hard Rock Resort in Hollywood, Florida.
Haney was dominant throughout the contest as kept Gamboa at bay by landing jabs and right hands.
In round 11, Gamboa was docked a point for holding.
Haney landed 133 of 401 punches. Gamboa was 84 of 472.
Haney, 135 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 120-107 twice and 118-109 to raise his udefeated mark to 25-0. Gamboa, 135 lbs of Miami, FL is 30-4.
“I’m pleased with the performance because I didn’t take any punishment,” said Haney. “I came out of there looking like I did when I went in, I was ready to fight again if I had to.
“I knew that he would go into survival mode and he was successful with that, he was in there trying to survive as much as he did. I pitched a shut-out and I didn’t get hit with any big shots, it is what it is.
“Of course I wanted the KO but every fight can’t end like that. Gamboa is a crafty opponent, he showed that he can survive, he showed why he has been in the game for a long time. Anyone that has knocked him out has taken punishment while doing it, I didn’t take any punishment and maybe that’s why I didn’t get the KO.
“I beat him the smartest. The jab, the reach, the speed and the ring IQ were the keys to victory. I showed that I am able to go 12 rounds, to hit and not get hit, you can talk about landing big shots but Gamboa didn’t land anything.
“There’s always going to be pressure, every fight is going to have everyone watching and critiquing what you do, I understand that. I am ready to put on a big 2021 and fight best and put on a statement to show the world that I am the best.
“I am interested in my mandatory of course but I want all the belts, Teofimo Lopez has the rest of the belts so I want to make the undisputed fight.”
Hrgovic stops Booker in 5
Filip Hrgovic remained undefeated with a 5th round stoppage over Rydell Booker in a heavyweight bout.
In round two, Hrgovic dropped Booker with a chopping right to the head. Hrgovic continued to pound away at Booker until the bout was stopped at 47 seconds.
Hrgovic, 242.6 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Booker, 248 lbs of Detroit, MI is 26-3.
After the fight Hrgovic said “I have a message to the heavyweight division. Fight me. There are big fights out there, I am ready for all of them. I can out box and I can knockout. Tonight, Rydell was good and it was good to get the win against him, but now I want to look to who is next. I am ready.
Promoter Nisse Sauerland followed “Tonight we saw Filip do what he said he was going to do at the press conference. He was going to outbox and knockout a man who hadn’t been knocked out before. He showed his ability to control fights, he has 10 knockouts from 12 fights, 5 now consecutive.”
“Credit to Rydell Booker, he took the fight and tried to come forward. He’s a good boxer with a good record, but tonight he had no way of finding a way through. Filip belongs at the top table, and soon he’ll be there.”
Zhilel Zhang remained undefeated by stopping Devin Vargas in round four of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight fight.
In round four, Zhang landed a counter right and left that dropped Vargas, and the fight was over at 49 seconds.
Zhang, 259.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 22-0 with 17 knockouts. Vargas, 226 lbs of Sylvania, OH is 22-7.
Reshat Mati stopped Marcos Mojica in round two of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.
In round one, Mati dropped Mojica with a shirt left hook In round two, Mati dropped Mojica with an uppercut, and shortly thereafter, the fight was stopped at 44 seconds.
Mati, 146 lbs of Staten Island, NY is 8-0 with six knockouts. Mojica, 146.4 lbs of West Palm Beach , FL is 17-6-2.
Raymond Ford remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Rafael Reyes in a featherweight bout.
In round one, Ford dropped Reyes with a straight left. In round three, it was another left that sent Reyes to the canvas. Ford then landed about 12 unanswered punches, and the fight was stopped at 1:26.
Ford, 125.8 lbs of Camden, NJ is 7-0 with three knockouts. Reyes, 123 lbs of Clovis, MX is 18-11.
Arthur Biyarslanov stopped Juan Jose Martinez in round one of a scheduled six-round super lightweight fight.
Biyarslanov dropped Martinez with a right hook to the side of the head and the fight was stopped at 59 seconds.
Biyarslanov, 141 lbs of Toronto, CAN is7-0 with six knockouts. Martinez, 141.8 lbs of Mexico City is 28-10.
