Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk won the undisputed heavyweight title on a day when fellow Ukrainian Denis Belinchik defeated Emmanuel Navarrete via split decision. The vacant WBO lightweight world title.
Belinchik (19-0, 9 KOs) won by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, while Navarrete won 116-112.
Navarrete (38 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, 31 KOs) tried and failed to become the sixth four-division, Mexican-born world champion.
As Navarrete pushed forward, Belinchik used his footwork well to find distance, and he countered quickly on the Mexican in the early rounds, preventing Navarrete from launching a sustained body attack. attack.
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Alexander Usyk watches and celebrates fellow Ukrainian Denis Belinchik’s victory over Emmanuel Navarrete to capture the WBO lightweight title
Navarrete stepped up his offense in the second half of the fight, but Belinczyk, a 36-year-old Olympian, continued to make him miss before connecting with tight, effective punches.
“This is awesome, my friend. This is awesome. Great boxing,” Belinchik said. “Great fight. Navarrete, thank you very much.”
Belinchik used his feet well to find distance as Navarrete fired forward.
Navarrete said: “This is new for me. Like I always said, it’s going to be difficult. Denis is a great fighter. He made me struggle a lot. You saw what happened. .
“I’m not sad. I know this is a test. I need to do more, but I know I able Do more. So, I congratulate him on winning. I’m happy because I tried out at 135 pounds and I know I’ll be strong at this level.
Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) knocked out Giovani Santillan (32-1, 17 KOs) in the 10th round to win the WBO Interim welterweight world champion.
Brian Norman Jr. won the WBO welterweight interim world title by knockout in the 10th round
Santillan was the aggressor in this conflict, but Norman’s quick counterattacks and grappling negated his attack. Santillan tried to make the most of the opportunity, throwing punches in the grapple, but it gave Norman the opportunity to fight back.
In the eighth round, Norman hit Santillan with a left hook. This changed the situation decisively in Norman’s favor as he regrouped through the combination.
In the tenth round, Norman landed a counter uppercut that knocked Santillan down. Santillan rose from the deck and was knocked down by another, more devastating uppercut, ending the fight.
Norman led on all three scoreboards: 89-82, 88-83 and 86-85.
“He pressed, but he didn’t hit shit,” Norman said. “I made him miss and I made him pay. I love going to people’s hometowns and taking what they have. No matter who they’re looking for next, I All ready for the challenge.
Tyson Fury and Alexander Usyk An epic battle for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world will be repeated on Sunday, May 19 at 10 p.m. Book the replay now on Sky Sports Box Office.
