Knockouts Galore in Mayweather Promotions Fight Card in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev.-The desert city claimed its victims once again as out-of-towners and locals alike were claimed on an international fight card on Saturday.

Claudio Marrero (22-1, 16 KOs) didn’t care about Peru’s Carlos Zambrano’s (26-1, 12 KOs) undefeated record and promptly iced him in the first round in the Mayweather Promotions main event at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall.

Marrero, 28, of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic had fought and defeated the better quality fighters in his career and it showed. Zambrano learned a lesson that most fighters do not understand, an undefeated record can be filled with easy wins that teach you very little.

The Dominicano wins the IBO featherweight title and the interim WBA title with the knockout win at 1:30 of the first round.

Another Caribbean fighter Nathaniel Gallimore (18-1-1, 15 KOs) also enjoyed a good night with a blistering knockout win over Jeison Rosario (11-1, 8 KOs) who was fighting for the first time outside of his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Gallimore had fought all over the country against varied competition. He was hair-trigger sharp in knocking down Heraldez three times in route to the win at 2:15 of the sixth round. Referee Jay Nady stopped the action.

In a female boxing fight that was televised, the ultra-talented Layla McCarter (39-13-5, 10 KOs) stopped Hungary’s Szilvia Szabados (15-10, 6 KOs) in the seventh round with a left hook to the body that disabled the tough fighter in their welterweight battle.

McCarter, 38, is considered by many the best female boxer in the world. Even though she felt subpar her skills were obvious and led to winning every round until stopping the very tough-willed Szabados.

“She has heart,” said McCarter of the Hungarian fighter. “She didn’t quit no matter how many times I hit her.”

A left hook to the body was the blow that ended the night for Szabados who was happy to fight both McCarter and former Olympian Claressa Shields all within one month. Also, she fought two weeks ago in her native Hungary and won by knockout.

“I like to fight,” said Szabados who has a cheerful personality. “I wanted to do better.”

Other Bouts

Ladarius Miller (13-1, 4 KOs) scored a win by technical knockout over Jesus Gutierrez (14-2-1, 4 KOs) in a battle between two Las Vegas super lightweight fighters. The end came at 2:34 of the sixth round.

Las Vegas super middleweight Kevin Newman (7-0-1, 3 KOs) needed less than a round against Pablo Velez (7-1-1) in a battle between undefeated fighters. A short right uppercut followed by two more successive right hands knocked out the Puerto Rican Velez from North Carolina at 2:19 of the first round.

Super middleweight prospect Ronald Gavril (18-1, 14 KOs) has improved greatly the past two years. A couple of years ago Gavril loaded up with every power blow. Now, his punches are short but powerful and got the job done against Atlantic City’s Decarlo Perez (16-6-1, 5 KOs). Right hand chops did the job for Gavril against Perez who was temporarily hurt in the first round and completely disabled by a right cross-left hook combination at 2:15 of the second round of the super middleweight clash.

Visiting super welterweight Lucius Johnson (4-0-1, 3 KOs) took his time analyzing hometown boxer Thomas Hill (6-2). By the second round the analysis was over and Johnson scored with a quick one-two that floored Hill. After that, Johnson slipped into full hunt mode and floored Hill three more times including a fourth round knockout at 2:15 of the round with a four punch combination. Johnson fights out of Los Angeles.

Moreno Valley’s Danny Gonzalez (3-0) proved too quick for Sacramento’s Mario Ayala (5-4-1) in a four round featherweight contest. Ayala tried in vain to keep pace with the elusive Gonzalez and was able to do some scoring to the body. But other than a few shots, Gonzalez was too slippery. Two judges scored it 40-36 and a third 39-37 for Gonzalez.

Photo credit: Idris Erba / Mayweather Promotions

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Nathaniel Gallimore Defeated Jeison Rosario