Hurd, DeGale and Williams Pick Up Decision Victories In Las Vegas’ Hard Rock for PBC On Showtime

HURD SHOCKS SLIGHT BETTING FAVORITE LARA VIA SPLIT VERDICT TO UNIFY TITLES

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

They famously say to , “never leave it in the hands of the judges” however, if you do, make sure you keep it razor close and dramatic like ‎Jarrett ‘Swift’ Hurd (22-0) did as he upset Erislandy Lara (25-3-2) via split decision . The Maryland native walked away with the WBA and IBF 154lbs titles with scores of 114-113, 114-113 with one judge having it 114-113 for Lara. From the get-go Hurd applied a very slick as well as cautious type of pressure which set the tempo and rhythm of the bout. He wasn’t reckless, he wasn’t over committing to shots and most of all, he smothered the crafty Cuban just enough to not let him get off with anything game-changing.

The rounds the Cuban technician won were thanks to his best moments which came when he used a piercing jab as well as movement. Or, when he glided across the floor ‎using his stellar footwork launching straight punches to his man’s head then body. But, it wasn’t in the usual peppering style that Lara normally uses since his timing was disrupted by Hurd’s ability to cut off the ring. Erislandy looked noticeably uncomfortable and it really showed during the second half of the fight when he was visibly tired.

The championship rounds were commanded and controlled by Hurd. He knew were to be at all times as well as put together his skills with his amazing conditioning going down the stretch. He raked his man with a mean left follow-up shot which had Llara’s right eye partially swollen. Not seeing well from probably the 7th Round and on didn’t do anything to help Lara in his performance with the epidemy of it happening in the final round. After walking him down Hurd caught his man in the middle of the ring with a wicked left hook that clipped Lara right on the mouth, forcing him to topple to the canvas.

He looked defeated. He looked out of it. And seemed all but ready to call it a night. Once the judges scorecards were announced by Jimmy Lennon Jr, the pro-Hurd crown went absolutely crazy. His unification now puts ‘Swift’ Hurd in line to continue his journey for super welterweight supremacy against fellow champions, Charlo ‎or Sadam Ali.

DESPITE HORRIBLE CUTS DEGALE DEFEATS TRUAX IN REMATCH ‎TO CAPTURE IBF GOLD

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

Regardless of the horrible headbutt in round 1 that had his mouth bleeding or the one in the 3rd round ‎ that opened up a horrible cut over his right eye, newly minted IBF 168lbs title holder, James DeGale (24-2-1) , avenged his loss to arch rival, Caleb Truax (29-4-2) with conviction. He fought through the blood rising to the occasion by staying composed. In comparison to their first fight, he was pressured allot more by Truax whom saw the opening to fight him at close quarters putting together combinations along the ropes as DeGale delt with the blood. However, while he controlled the distance of the bout and where it was fought the one who managed to land the more effective punches was the British star.

DeGale caught his man coming in as well as picked him ‎off with his jab. He also was more economical by landing early to the body. The middle rounds were the closest because you could’ve gone back and forth on whether the pressure and short landed shots of Truax made the difference or DeGale’s inside game behind body hooks and uppercuts.
Also, in round 10 ‎James DeGale was deducted a point by the referee for excessive shoulder bumps or hitting via his shoulder. This played a factor in the end but luckily not one to change the outcome to a majority draw.

The final tally on the score cards had it 117-110, 114-113 and 114-113 for the British champion who reclaims his IBF title and seat on the throne. The newly minted champ was taken to the hospital following the match since he needed at least 5-6 stitches for the cut on his right eye.

J-ROCK WILLIAMS ‎OUTPOINTS GALLIMORE OVER 12

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

Julian Williams (25-1-1) vs. Nathaniel ‘The Great’ Gallimore collided as one third of the triple header tonight from The Joint at the Hard Rock casino and resort in Las Vegas in a 12-round ‎IBF eliminator. After surviving an early scare in the 4th when a clean shot from his man hurt Williams. The philadelphia native weathered the storm and rallied back to put on one of the best performances of his career. He was firing on all cylinders and his conditioning was superb.
He absorb the punishment from Gallimore who gave him a couple of problems to solve on the inside but, nothing that Williams couldn’t figure out. Williams closed strong in the championship rounds behind a swarm of power punches that got the crowd into the fight.

In the end the judges saw it 114-114, 116-112 and 117-110 ‎for J-Rock’ Williams who is now the number one IBF 154lbs challenger. A fight with him and Jarrett Hurd, the title holder, would be guaranteed fireworks.