Australian heavyweight Jackson Murray enjoyed a stunning overseas debut, beating unbeaten American Steven Torres via unanimous decision (60-53 x 3).
Murray, nicknamed ‘White Chocolate’, showcased all of his slick footwork and head movement against Torres who simply had no answer for the Australian’s laser-like jab and sharp body shots.
The Aussie also secured a knockdown in the third with a right hook, but replays showed Murray landed an illegal blow to the back of Torres’ head and it should not have counted.
Torres was also repeatedly warned by the referee for his in-ring conduct having abused Murray when his mouthguard accidentally fell out and pushed the Aussie after breaking from the clinch.
The American heayweight also came under criticism from former world champion Timothy Bradley Jr on commentary when he attempted to kiss Murray during the fifth round.
“What? Ay, man, you’re in the wrong sport, man,” Bradley Jr said.
“We don’t do that in the boxing ring, man.
“What? Oh, no. He’s trying to get into his head. That’s what he’s trying to do.
“But what are you doing? What for? Why? I don’t get it. You’re not winning the fight right now. That’s terrible.”
Despite needing a finish in the final round to win, Torres looked shell-shocked in the final round as Murray landed a sweet combo and had the American rocked.
Ultimately the finish remained elusive, but it was a major win for Murray who wowed the commentary team in Las Vegas.
MORE COVERAGE
Fury, Usyk to finally square off in ‘fight for the ages’ as date confirmed for heavyweight tussle
‘Baby Tszyu’ blasted by rival as ugly standoff looms in walkout drama
Aussie world champ joins heavyweight megastars on blockbuster boxing card
Murray’s victory was one of several on the undercard in the lead-up to Shakur Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title victory against Edwin De Los Santos.
STEVENSON BECOMES THREE-WEIGHT CHAMP
Undefeated American fighter Shakur Stevenson labored to a unanimous-decision victory over Edwin De Los Santos of the Dominican Republic to claim the vacant WBC world lightweight crown on Thursday.
The unbeaten 26-year-old improved to 21-0, with 10 knockouts after easing past De Los Santos via margins of 115-113, 116-112, 116-112 at the T-Mobile Arena.
The win sealed Stevenson’s third world title at different weight classes after stints as featherweight and junior lightweight champion.
But it was a lacklustre showing from both fighters, and the crowd signalled its disapproval through the later rounds as boos echoed around the arena.
De Los Santos landed just 40 punches throughout the 12 rounds, according to the official Compubox statistics. It is the fewest number of punches ever recorded in a 12-round fight since the system was first introduced 38 years ago.
Stevenson acknowledged the uninspiring showing following the bout.
“I had a bad performance tonight, that’s all I’m focused on,” he said. “I wasn’t feeling too good. I’ll live it, it’s OK, I came here to get the victory and that’s all I wanted to do.” Stevenson declined to say if injury or illness had hampered his performance, brushing off questions about his left hand, which he landed only 21 times during the contest.
“I ain’t got nothing to say about that — I’m not going to make excuses,” he said. “I just didn’t feel good before the fight.” De Los Santos meanwhile accused Stevenson of negative tactics after his defeat. “I came to fight, he came for a track meet,” De Los Santos said. “I came to fight tonight, and Shakur Stevenson decided not to fight. He was gifted the title but I am the champion of the people.”
– AFP
MASSIVE SHOCK AS DRAW ENDS TITLE WAR
Later, Emannuel Navarette retained his WBO super featherweight title despite a majority draw against Brazilian veteran Robson Conceicao.
Navarette, a three-division world champion who controversially beat Aussie contender Liam Wilson in February, was making his second defence of the title.
But despite knocking down his rival twice, he was unable to come away with a victory that likely would have set him up for a shot against Shakur Stevenson.
Conceicao, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, gave Navarette plenty of headaches early on, but the champion scored a fourth-round knockdown with a left uppercut followed by a brutal right hand to the temple.
Conceicao survived, but was knocked down again in the seventh after a brutal right rip to the body.
The 35-year-old Brazilian warrior – in his third and likely final title shot – fought back brilliantly and ended the fight having landed 213 punches to 116.
The three judges scored it 114-112 Navarette, 113-113 x 2.
It was the first draw of Navarette’s 38-1 career, and he was was happy to put his hand up for a rematch. Conceicao said he was pleased with his performance and claimed he deserved victory, and agreed to a rematch.
FULL CARD
Shakur Stevenson def. Edwin De Los Santos — for WBC lightweight title
Emanuel Navarrete DREW with Robson Conceicao — (114-112 Navarette, 113-113×2) for WBO super featherweight title
Brian Norman Jr. def Quinton Randall via UD (99-91 x2, 97-93)
Floyd Diaz def Max Ornelas via SD (77-73, 78-72, 74-76)
Troy Isley def Vladimir Hernandez via UD (77-75 x 3)
Emiliano Vargas def Brandon Mendoza via TKO in Round 2
Jackson Murray def Steven Torres via UD (60-53 x 3)
Abdullah Mason def Jose Cardenas via KO in Round 2