Super Middle Gavronski Hands Aussie Phenom Carr First Defeat

ByBoxing Press

Mike Gavronski did something no one in Australia could do – defeat Jake Carr.

Gavronski, stepping back into the ring following a 10-month layoff, spoiled Carr’s U.S. debut by scoring a sixth-round victory via knockout in their super middleweight matchup in the main event at Battle at the Boat 107 Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash.

Gavronski (21-2-1, 14 KOs) floored Carr, a former Australian super middleweight champion who was fighting outside of his homeland for the first time in his career, midway through the sixth, following up a right hook with a jab that sent his opponent to the canvas.

Carr (11-1, 4 KOs) was able to beat the count, but was immediately in trouble in the corner after returning to his feet, leading to the referee stopping the bout.

Gavronski, of Tacoma, avoided the first back-to-back loses of his career with the win. It was his first bout since losing by TKO to Dashon Johnson on Nov. 7, 2015 in a contest for the WBA-NABA USA super middleweight title.

Gavronski’s only other defeat came in 2014 against WBC Silver super middleweight champion Tureano Johnson.

Andres Reyes improved to 5-1-1 with a unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 48-46) win over Ramel Snegur (1-1) in the super lightweight semi-main event.

In a featured bout, Tacoma’s Andre Keys (2-1, KO) looked sharp in his 5-round super welterweight contest against Antonio Neal (4-6, 3 KOs), appearing as the 50-43 winner on all three judge’s scorecard. Keys knocked Neal down twice in the second round and controlled the fight from the opening bell, leading to the dominating victory.

Middleweight Lexus Pagampao (1-1) picked up his first career victory by defeating Bobby McIntyre (0-3) by unanimous decision (39-37, 39-37, 39-37) in the opening bout.

Also on the undercard, Gabriel Solorio (2-2-1) defeated Drew Brokenshire (1-1) by majority decision (38-38, 40-36, 39-37), while fellow super welterweight Osvaldo Rojas (9-3-2, 3 KOs) defeated Nate Serrano (4-4-2, 3 KOs) by majority decision (38-37, 38-37, 36-39).