Brant stops Baysangurov in 11 to retain middleweight title
Rob Brant retained the WBA Middleweight title with a 11th round stoppage over Khasahn Baysangurov in font of a sold-out crowd of 2,225 at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota
In round two, Brant dropped Baysangurov with a right hand. In round three, Brant began to swell around his right eye.
In round seven, Baysangurov was bleeding heavily from his nose. In round 11, Brant dropped Baysangurov with a hard right hand. Baysangurov got to his feet, but ate a big combination and the fight was stopped at 2:33.
Brant of St. Paul. MN is 25-1 with 17 knockouts. Baysangurov of Ukraine is 17-1.
“Today, I feel like a true champion. I was happy with my performance. I had some cramps later in the fight, but this shows I can carry my power later in fights.”
“Middleweight is one of the deepest divisions in boxing. There are fights to be made. We just have to keep pushing forward. Canelo Alvarez is recognized by many as the champion at middleweight, and I’d love a fight with him down the road.”
“{Baysangurov} had a good jab. I started a little sloppy, and my trainer (Eddie Mustafa Muhammad) told me in the corner to relax. I waited for the opportunity to come, and it came in the 11th round.”
Mikaela Mayer remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision Yareli Larios in a super featherweight bout.
Mayer won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 10-0. Larios of Mexico is 13-2-1.
“It’s more about strategy in the pros. I was relaxed and took my time in there” Mayer said. “We knew she was going to be tough. She has that Hispanic blood in her.
“I think I’m ready for more belts. I want those belts this year.”
Joshua Greer Jr won his 17th straight fight and notched his 7th consecutive stoppage as he took out Giovanni Escaner in the 8th frame of their scheduled 10 round bantamweight bout.
It was Eascaner who struck first as he dropped Greer with a right on the ropes just as the bell sounded to end the 3rd round.
In round eight, Greer landed a perfect right the body that sent Escaner to the canvas for the 10-count at 2:33
Greer of Chicago is 20-1-1 with 12 knockouts. Escaner of The Philippines is 19-4.\
“I had to wait for him to soften up, but I did what I had to do,” Greer said. “It’s all a learning experience for me. But I’m from Chicago. I had to go take it.”
Tyler Howard won an eight-round split decision over Cristian Olivas in a middleweight bout.
Howard won two cards 79-73 and 77-75 while Olivas took a card 77-75.
Howard of Crpssvill, TN 17-0. Olivas of Mexicali, MEX is 16-4.
“This was my first time going eight rounds,” Howard said. “I felt like I prepared well for this fight. Olivas came to fight. All I can do is go back to camp and continue to work harder and be ready for my next fight. This experience is going to help me moving forward.”
Lennox Allen remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Derrick Webster in a super middleweight fight.
Allen dropped Webster with a right hook in round in round three.
Allen of New York won by scores of 98-91 twice and 97-92 and is now 22-0-1. Webster of Glassboro, NJ is 28-2.
Ismail Muwendo won a six-round unanimous decision over Hevinsom Herrera in a lightweight bout.
Muwendo won by scores of 60-54 on cards and is now 21-1. Herreraa of Colombia is 24-16-1
Steven Nelson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Felipe Romero in a light heavyweight bout.
In round one, Romero scored a dubious knockdown with a right hand. In round three, Nelson returned the favor by dropping Romero with a combo to the body.
Nelson of Omaha, NEB won by scores of 59-54 twice and 58-54, and is now 13-0. Romero of Mexico is 20-17-1.
“He’s a tough guy who can take a good punch. That’s why we picked him,” Nelson said. “I had him hurt a few times, but we got the job done.”
In a battle of junior welterweights, Joe James won a four-round unanimous decision over Demetrius Wilson.
In round three, James dropped Wilson with a double jab.
James won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 4-0. Wilson is 2-11.
