CLAN O’CONNOR CHEERS THEIR
HERO TO VICTORY

Fighting in the main event of a six-fight Boston vs. New York card at the Boston House of Blues before 2500 delirious fans, and with a  rock star in his corner, super lightweight boxing prospect Danny O’Connor knew he had to deliver in a big way.

Mission accomplished.

Showing vast improvements from working with acclaimed trainer Ronnie Shields, O’Connor, now 17-1, 5 KOs, dominated opponent Daniel Sostre of Highland, New York, forcing him to retire on his stool after four rounds.

It was the perfect ending to a spectacular event, engineered heavily by The Dropkick Murphys founder and bassist Ken Casey, who also worked O’Connor’s corner.
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Willie Nelson Shocks Yudel Jhonson,
Badou Jack Wins

By Rick Reeno

Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas - In the ShoBox televised headliner, Willie Nelson (18-1-1, 15KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated junior middleweight prospect Yudel Jhonson (12-1, 8KOs). Both fighters were down in the fight. The scores were 95-94, 97-92 and 97-92.

Jhonson briefly stunned Nelson in the second round, but Nelson came right back with a combination of punches to send Jhonson down on all fours. In the fourth round, a huge left hand put Nelson down hard on his back. Nelson surprised everyone by getting up to his feet. Jhonson nearly finished him off against the ropes. Nelson held on and made it to the bell.

At the end of the fifth, Nelson once again staggered Jhonson with a good combination. Both of them had their moments in the remaining rounds. Nelson, however, closed strong in the tenth and final round with several well-timed power shots on the button.

In a battle of undefeated super middleweight prospects, Badou Jack (11-0, 8KOs) won a close eight round split decision over Colombian boxer Alexander Brand (17-1, 15KOs). The scores were 77-75 for Jack, 77-75 for Brand and 77-75 for Jack. 
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Chilemba Shocks Miranda:
Abdusalamov, Barthelemy Win

By Rick Reeno

Texas Station Gambling Hall, Las Vegas - Light heavyweight contender Isaac Chilemba (19-1-1, 9KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over fading veteran Edison Miranda (35-7, 30KOs). The scores were 97-91, and 96-92 twice.

An early battle of boxer versus puncher. Chilemba was using his jab and finding openings. Miranda was his usual self - coming forward, applying a lot of pressure and swinging hard with both hands. Miranda workrate and pressure was the early difference, but the real feather in Miranda's cap was his ability to cut off the ring.

In the third round, an accidental clash of heads opened up a bad cut above the left eye of Miranda. The cut opened up further in the fourth and the blood was flowing down hard on Miranda's face. Miranda was already displaying some desperate to end it early. In the fifth round, referee Robert Byrd broke the fighters apart and took away a point from both of them. Chilemba lost a point for holding and hitting and Miranda lost a point for hitting behind the head. The cut was really bothering Miranda, who often used his glove to wipe away the flow of blood.

Chilemba hurt Miranda early in the seventh, but couldn't follow-up. Miranda was starting to slow down and Chilemba was started to land his punches without much resistance. The tide of the fight completely turned in in the eight. Miranda was a beaten fighter. He continued to come forward and threw punches, but he missed most of his shots and ate counters in return. READ MORE HERE