Jermaine Franklin stops Devin Vargas at the Wayne State Fieldhouse, Detroit, Michigan
In the Main Event Jermaine Franklin, 23-2 (15), #254 of Saginaw, MI, stopped 2000 Olympian Devin Vargas, 22-11 (9), #235.2, of Toledo, OH, after six rounds of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first round Franklin came out and drove Vargas into a corner landing a flurry of punches without return until Vargas spun away. Vargas came back well with Franklin ending up southpaw landing the final punch. In the second round it was all Franklin until the final half minute when Vargas fought back well staying in the fight.
In the third round it was Vargas who had Franklin against the ropes for the most part of the round. In the fourth rounds final seconds Franklin drew blood from the nose of Vargas dropping him with a three-punch combination for an 8-count from Referee Ansel Stewart. Vargas to his credit got up and fought back well to the bell.
In the fifth round Vargas would back Franklin to the ropes until he came back. Vargas won the round. In the sixth round Vargas was having a good round until the final half minute when Franklin dropped Vargas for an 8-count from Referee Stewart as the bell sounded. After the round the corner of Vargas called a halt.
Super Middleweight Ali Akhmedov, 21-1 (16), #171.6, of Almaty, KAZ, stopped Encarnacion ‘Demoledor’ Diaz, 18-5 (11), #169.6, San Jose, CR and San Francisco, CA, at 2:14 of the second round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first round the taller Akhmedov used a jab to control while Diaz started southpaw and switched to orthodox.
In the second round the much taller Akhmedov dropped Diaz with a left hook to the chin halfway through the round for an 8-count from Referee Ben Rodriguez. With a minute remaining a right on the chin from Akhmedov dropped Diaz who took the count on a knee.
In the co-feature Joshua ‘Double GG’ Pagan, 10-0 (4), #135.4, of Grand Rapids, MI, defeated southpaw Roger ‘The Hitman’ Hilley, 13-1 (8), #135.4, of Chattanooga, TN, over 8 action packed rounds, for the vacant Junior NABF Lightweight title.
In the first 0:40 of the round Pagan was cut under the left eyebrow from a right hook from southpaw Hilley. The taller Pagan came back well with a jab and lead rights against Hilley. In the second round the action picked up both having their moments.
In the third round a clash of heads started causing swelling around the left eye of Hilley. The action continued. Pagan landing more to the head and Hilley working the body. In the fourth round Hilley continued coming forward taking his first round.
In the fifth round Hilley with his head in the chest of Pagan going to the body. Pagan’s cut continued to drip blood down his face in a close round. In the sixth round Hilley would land a half a dozen punches and Pagan come right back landing half a dozen. Hilley had the first half of the round and Pagan the second half.
In the seventh round Hilley kept the pressure on Pagan moving him into the ropes. In the middle of the ring, it was Pagan having the best in another round for Hilley. In the eighth and final round both had their moments with Pagan having an edge.
Referee Ben Rodriguez
Scores were 78-74 by all judges
Middleweight southpaw Josiah ‘Mighty Joe’ Shackleford, 3-1 (2), #160.8, of Detroit, MI, defeated Ja’shar Banks, 0-1 (0), #158.8, of Detroit, MI, over 4 rounds.
In the first round normally a southpaw two-time Michigan Golden Gloves champion Shackleford came out orthodox and fought southpaw a little returning to orthodox taking the round. In the second round it was more competitive with Shackleford taking another round from game Banks a former MMA boxer making his debut.
In the third round Shackleford hurt Banks with a right to the chin halfway through the round. He would then return to southpaw taking the round. In the fourth and final round Shackleford three times knocked out the mouthpiece of Banks. Bleeding from the mouth the ring physician was brought in to check Banks with a minute remaining. Shackleford took the round shutting out Banks.
Referee Ansel Stewart
Scores were 40-36 by all judges.
Ring Announcer Thomas Treiber
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