Middleweight Eric Priest picked up the biggest win of his young career, winning a shutout decision on Thursday over Tyler Howard. The unanimous decision win saw Priest winning by the scores of 100-90 on all three cards
The bout, which headlined the night’s action took place at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California, was streamed on DAZN and Golden Boy Boxing’s YouTube page.
The opening round saw both fighters show mutual respect for each other’s power. Priest, 26, of Kansas City, Kansas found his rhythm in the second round, using his jab and movement to take control. In the third round, Priest continued to outbox the 33-year-old Howard, who remained judicious with his punches. Priest stayed strategic in the fourth and fifth rounds as Howard looked for one power punch at a time.
In the sixth round, Howard unleashed a powerful right hand reminiscent of a Major League Baseball pitcher’s fastball. Priest, who trains at Brickhouse Boxing in Los Angeles, remained composed in front of his hometown crowd, displaying patience and discipline. Howard intensified his pressure in the seventh round, increasing his pace and forcing Priest backward.
Howard ramped up the pressure in the seventh round as he moved faster and pushed Priest back. Priest continued to be elusive in round eight as his jab and movement gave Howard trouble. Priest finished the fight off the way he took control of it with a good jab and solid movement as the final bell sounded. After the fight, Priest walked around the ring with the regional title he won as his fans stayed for his post-fight interview.
Priest starts 2025 with the biggest win of his career and now holds a record of 15-0 (8 KOs). With the loss, Howard is now 20-3 (11 KOs) on a two-fight losing streak.
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