The Weekends Boxing!

Amir Khan vs Julio Diaz

  Saturday night saw Amir Khan fight for the first time in two years on British soil. Although he posted a unanimous points victory over Julio Diaz it was a far from convincing performance from Khan. In the early rounds Khan was sticking to his game plan and kept Diaz out of range by boxing behind his jab. The third saw Diaz get through with a couple of shots which briefly exposed Khan’s suspect chin and in the fourth disaster struck as a crisp overhand left from Diaz rattled the Brit and sent him straight to the canvas. With Diaz beaming with confidence he went in search of a big knockout shot but Khan managed to regroup. Both fighters were boxing well and getting through with some good combinations in the seventh. Round 10 saw Khan retreating after he was caught with a powerful shot. It was panic mode again for Khan in the 11^th as Diaz caught him with some massive shots and Khan looked as though he would go down again but managed to remain on his feet and keep out of range until the final bell.  It was Khan’s slick hand speed and greater work rate that won him the fight but yet again his defence and chin was fully exposed.

 

Audley Harrison vs Deontay Wilder

It is surely game over for Audley Harrison now after losing in just 70 seconds on Saturday night. Unbeaten American Deontay Wilder pounced on Harrison after catching him with a big right and unleashed a barrage of punches that ended in Harrison slumping to the canvas. The Brit managed to get to his feet but referee rightly waved off the fight. To be fair to Harrison he’s never given up but surely it’s time to hang up the gloves. 

Anthony Ogogo vs Kieron Gray

Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo started his Professional career with an impressive second stoppage victory. Ogogo looked slick and sharp with some stylish combinations. Halfway through the second round Ogogo landed a right hand to Gray’s jaw and then landed flush with another big right hand.  Journeyman Gray hit the canvas heavily and although he made it to his feet the referee called it off. 

Danny Garcia vs Zab Judah

  Danny Garcia extended his unbeaten record and retained his WBA and WBC light-welterweight titles after beating Zab Judah on points. Garcia started well and was controlling the fight landing some good, strong shots. The middle rounds saw Judah battle back that had Garcia frustrated. However in eighth champion Garcia landed a straight right onto Judah’s nose that sent him to the canvas.  A clash of heads made the later rounds a bloody affair with Judah needing to get the all clear from the ringside doctor with a bad cut under his left eye. Both fighters went at it toe-to-toe until the final bell that ended up in Garcia taking the victory with scores of 114-112, 115-122 and 116-111. 

Sergio Martinez vs Martin Murray

Martin Murray fell just short of winning the WBC middleweight title from Sergio Martinez after putting in a brave performance. In front of an intimidating crowd of 40,000 Murray started well landing some crisp shots. Martinez however edged the opening rounds with Murray backing off too often. In round 5 Martinez was bleeding from his left eye after being caught with some strong shots. Martinez then upped his game and produced some great work to keep the fight alive. In the eighth Murray landed a left hook and then a solid right that sent Martinez to the canvas. Controversy hit the tenth round after Martinez clearly went down from a flurry of punches but was deemed to of slipped by the referee. From then on in Martinez frustrated Murray by denying him any chance of making an impact on the judges scores. When the final bell rang it was the home favourite Martinez who retained his WBC middleweight title with all three judges scoring it 115-112.