Yuri Foreman Gets KO1 Win in Florida

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (November 12, 2013) – Mexican invader Norberto “Demonio” Gonzalez (20-2, 13 KOs) upset hometown favorite Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira (21-2, 16 KOs) in the main event of tonight’s “Knockout Night at Hard Rock Live” card, presented by MO Productions, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Gonzalez’ quick hands overcame Oliviera’s power for a unanimous 10-round decision (97-91, 97-91, 96-92) victory in a very entertaining fight. Oliveira dropped Gonzalez in the second round with a right cross, but Gonzalez closed the show in the 10th, sending Oliveira to the canvas. The tough 23-year-old Brazilian, rated No. 7 by the WBA and No. 11 by the WBC, beat the 10-count right before the final bell.

In the co-feature, former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight Yuri Foreman (32-2, 9 KOs) registered his first knockout since 2006, blasting out Mexican opponent Javier “Pelon” Gomez (14-12, 10 KOs) with a perfectly placed left hook at 1:56 of the opening round. Gomez went down hard and failed to move for a few anxious moments.”

“It’s been quite a few years,” Foreman said about his impressive knockout. “I pray that he’s okay. Now, I’m ready for a 10-round fight.”

Fast-rising Cuban light heavyweight prospect Yunieski “The Diamond” Gonzalez (13-0, 9 KOs) overcame a flash knockdown to stop a game Jinner Guerrero (7-2, 6 KOs) in the eighth round. Gonzalez unloaded a devastating, straight right hand that ended the fight in the eighth round.

Cuban featherweight Hairon “El Maja” Socarras (8-0, 5 KOs) kept his perfect record intact, pitching a six-round shutout for a unanimous decision win against former world title challenger Jhon Alberto Molina (32-27-3, 20 KOs).

Another unbeaten Cuban, southpaw Vilier Gonzalez (6-0, 4 KOs), floored super middleweight Marcus “The Gatekeeper” Brooks (7-15-1, 3 KOs) at the end of the second round, after which Brooks failed to answer the bell for the third.

Heavyweight Robert Alfonso (3-0), a 2008 Cuban Olympian, remained undefeated, defeating Jamal “Knockout” Woods (3-9-1, 3 KOs) by way of a four-round decision.

Bahamian lightweight Valentino Knowles improved his record to 2-0 with a unanimous four-round decision over Ruben “El Chino” Ozuma (1-1).

Cruiserweight Steve Geffard (1-3, 1 KOs) notched his first professional win against Jamel Burnside (1-1, 1 KO) when the referee halted the action in the third round.

Complete results below: