Abril Defeats Bogere, Dib loses To Gradovich
The fight business may not have been buzzing, but ultra-competitive roughhouse bouts between contenders Richar Abril and Sharif Bogere, Billy Dib and Evgeny Gradovich and Chris Van Heerden facing Matthew Hatton kept the hardcore fan on his or her feet. Here’s our roundup.
On Friday evening,Dibella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS promotions brought a stacked ESPN Friday Night Fights bill. In the main event Aussie sensation Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-2-0 21 KO’s) lost a split decision to Russian warrior Evgeny Gradovich (16-0-0 8 KO’s).
While he did struggle with the veteran early, the relentless pressure of the young prospect soon caught on and edged enough middle and later rounds to take home the IBF Featherweight title.
In addition to the main event, some potential future stars as Willie Nelson (20-1-1 12 KO’s), Ryan Kielczewski (16-0-0 3 KO’s), and Luis Rosa Jr (13-0-0 6 KO’s) stole easy victories over durable journeyman opponents.
On Saturday in South Africa, talented IBO welterweight beltholder Chris “The Heat” Van Heerden (19-1-1 10 KO’s) out-hustled British fighter Matthew Hatton (43-7-2 17 KO’s).
On this night, Matthew, Ricky Hatton’s younger brother, failed to prosper at world class once again. Van Heerden clearly decisioned Hatton over twelve short rounds. In the process, Van Heerden’s agile style and rough boxing revealed clear possibilities of him making it as an elite welterweight.
Co-headlining this stacked bill, tough local veterans Kaizer Mabuza (24-9-3 15 KO’s) and Isaac Hlatshwayo (30-6-1 10 KO’s) swapped leather for eight rounds. The slightly younger Mabuza’s blistering power edged the relatively close scrap.
And a strong hearted Hlatshwayo showed every one of his 35 years, drained, producing glancing blows that could barely impact his opponent. Slipping him into a fourth straight defeat and perhaps an inevitable retirement. Mabuza, on the other hand, regained contention on the back end of a 2012 loss to KhalibAllakhvierdev.
Finally, back in the USA, Cuban born WBA Lightweight beltholder Richar Abril (18-3-1 8 KO’s) grabbed a competitive but clear cut unanimous decision verdict over formerly undefeated Ugandan Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-1-0 15 KO’s).
In was a rough inside battle featuring a rich amount of headbutts, clinching and of course point deductions for both men. As it unfolded, Abri’ls outside boxing and inside brawling was enough to earn him a win.
Top American prospect Gary Russell Jr (22-0-0 12 KO’s) also grabbed a wide decision over Russian Vyacheslav Gusev (20-3-0 5 KO’s) in the co-feature. Plus Jorge Melendez (26-2-1 25 KO’s) and Thomas Williams Jr (13-0-0 10 KO’s) grabbed KO’s on the undercard.
Other results:
Omar Henry KO 1 Henry Araud
Martin Concepcion TKO 7 Ryan Clarke
Paulus Moses TKO 4 MzonkeFana