Crawford vs. Horn: Prelims Results Recap

Credito de Foto: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Aelio Mesquita (16-2) vs. Shakur Stevenson (7-0)

(Featherweight Bout – 8 rounds)

Allot of hype continues to build around young Shakur Stevenson and with good reason. Not only from being Olympic-level talent, constantly being tied to the late Tupac Shakur due to his mother naming the boxer after the hip-hop legend, as well as being escorted to the ring by undefeated Oakland future Hall of Famer, Andre Ward but the simple fact that he delivers scintillating performances that carry on with fireworks and explosiveness. Tonight he dispatched of the more experienced Brazilian thanks to blitzing speed and counter-punching ability. He knocked Mesquita down twice in Round 1 and then handed him another pair of knockdowns in Round 2.

The first sequence was a lightning quick left hook on the inside. Next, it was a masterful two-punch combination at close range from Stevenson. Each time he sat his man down unto his backside similar to how Ike Quartey and Oscar De La Hoya knocked one another down in their welterweight affair. Sure, Shakur is not a 147-pounder but, he does hit like one. In the 2nd round he had his way with the Guaruja, Brazil native rocking him with a counter straight left hand right down the center, then knocked him down again with two quick lefts followed by a short right hand on the inside.

The camera did not pick it up however, Mesquita’s corner threw in the towel during that last knockdown and it landed on top of the television camera located in the blue corner. Luckily, referee Benjy Esteves had seen enough and called a stop to the action.

RESULTS: Shakur Stevenson remains undefeated stopping Aelio Mesquita via TKO at (1:45) of Round 2.

Credito de Foto: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Gabriel Flores Jr. (8-0) vs. Jorge Rojas (4-4-1)

(Super Featherweight Bout – 6 Rounds)

One of the youngest professional fighters to be signed to a major promotional boxing contract, Flores, showed poise, speed and precision as he boxed his way to a unanimous decision verdict. A match originally scheduled for 6 rounds, it only got 12 minutes of action so it was a short glimpse of what’s to come for the Stockton, California native.

RESULTS: Gabriel Flores makes a successful Top Rank debut via unanimous decision with scores of 40-36 all across the board over Jorge Rojas.

Credito de Foto: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Darleys Perez (33-4-2) vs. Maxim Dadashev (11-0)

(Junior NABF Welterweight Title Bout 10 Rounds)

Dadashev put in almost 30 minutes of solid work as he cruised towards a unanimous decision but, closed out the show in the 10th and final round of this 140lbs NABF championship match. Perez was game and hung in there strong however, he was always one step behind the hard hitting and pulverizing Oxnard native. If the Colombian tried to jab, Dadashev out-jabbed him. If he tried hitting angles, Dadashev cut off the ring and countered beautifully. His conditioning was also tremendous as he trudged forward relentlessly like a prime Ruslan Provodnikov.

In the end, the pressure and pace of “Mad Max” Dadashev was maddening as he mentally broke his foe down. A beautifully placed right hook landed flush on Perez’ face, with him already being the worse for wear, and he collapsed to the canvas. The referee called this one off granting Maxim the finish.

RESULTS: Maxim Dadashev stays unbeaten as he claims the NABF 140lbs title via TKO over Darleys Perez at (1:49) of the 10th and final round.

Credito de Foto: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Steve Nelson (11-0) vs. Dashon Webster (10-2)

(Light Heavyweight Bout – 6 Rounds)

The absolute best ring walk of the evening was executed by Nelson, as he wore a mirror-image costume of the “Sho ‘Nuff” character from the film, The Last Dragon. He didn’t move exactly like Julius Carry in the movie for the first few rounds but, once he adjusted his footwork it gave Webster problems. On the other hand Dashon Webster did a fine job of keeping Nelson at the end of his punches for the first 6 minutes or so. Why he let up on that approach is anyone’s guess?

He then opted to trade at close range and the difference in power was very visible. Feeling the blows made the Kansas fighter back away on the defensive giving Nelson room to work, he really didn’t like what he was getting hit with. For the second half of the match Nelson also picked up his jab and took over the match using great foot work. In the 5th round he turned up the pace using his feet to hit multiple angles and connected cleanly. This put Webster in a box and he made no adjustments, backing up and eating punches along the ropes. A solid Nelson two-punch combination landed sending Webster to the canvas with about a minute left in the 5th stanza. He beat the count but was on unsteady legs and it carried on into round 6. There, it was all Nelson who pounced on his prey landing multiple hard and heavy blows. This was enough for the referee to step in and call a stop to the action.

RESULTS: Steve Nelson remains undefeated stopping Dashon Webster via TKO at (0:46) of Round 6.

Credito de Foto: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

David Kaminsky (2-0) vs. Trevor Lavin (1-1)

(Middleweight Bout – 4 Rounds)

Kaminsky and Lavin kicked off the action for the first-ever ESPN+ event from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the MGM Grand hotel and casino. An historic night and rightfully so, seeing as how Las Vegas is “The Fight Capital of the World” , it served as the perfect back drop to launch such a futuristic show with digital media and live streaming teaming up via Top Rank Promotions.

From the opening bell, Kaminsky marched forward fearless walking his man down with crisp crosses, hooks and stiff jabs. His attack was primarily to the body of Lavin with every other hook landing visibly hurting Trevor or moving his backwards. Lavin did not do himself any favors by standing in the pocket aiming to catch is foe coming in. The Topeka, Kansas native dipped low for the shots and wound up heavily, telegraphing what he he was about to throw; an overhand right.

Going into Round 2 Kaminsky kept moving forward letting his hands go. He punished Lavin with big hooks to the head and body, the next more vicious than the one before it. Lavin stood tough wanting to counter with something big but, was being punished. A clean Kaminsky shot put him down. Lavin beat the count but was sent to the mat once again this time off of a combination from Kaminsky to the body. The referee smartly called a stop to the bout.

RESULTS: David Kaminsky remains undefeated stopping Trevor Lavin via TKO at (1:12) of Round 2.