Joshua Buatsi Decisions Stepien; Tyler Denny & Sean McComb Win Tough Bouts
Light heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi (17-0, 13KO) returned to the ring and scored a victory over Pawel Stepien (18-1-1, 12KO) with a subpar performance.
Buatsi’s ring rust was evident in this fight, after being out of the ring for almost a year. His timing was completely off. He struggled early in trying to establish any kind of offense as Stepien did a good job of moving and was successful in landing good counterpunches.
As the fight continued, Buatsi did get into a little bit of a rhythm landing hooks to the body along with a jab straight right-hand combination. Moreover, he landed a few good counters fighting off the ropes while waving for his opponent to attack him.
With the fight coming to a close, the explosive knockout that everyone was waiting on never happened. Stepien’s defense made it difficult for his opponent to land a flush shot. Buatsi did fight well off the front foot until the final bell sounded.
The judges’ scorecards were 100-90, 98-92, and 97-94 in favor of Buatsi, who expressed disappointment for not getting the knockout.
TYLER DENNY SCORES NARROW VICTORY OVER MACAULAY MCGOWEN
In a middleweight contest for the vacant EBU title, Tyler Denny (17-2-3) squeezed out a split decision victory over Macaulay McGowen (17-4-2, 3KO)
Denny was able to control the fight early with sheer boxing ability with sharp, straight left-hands and counter-hooks against an over-aggressive McGowen. His timing, footwork, and hand speed were the story of the fight from the sound of the bell.
McGowen came roaring back, taking advantage of his opponent’s decision to fight off the ropes. He landed crushing left hooks and straight right-hands that wobbled Denny a few times.
It was a close fight down the stretch as both men dug deep and fired back with blistering punches. McGowen continued to attack by doubling and tripling up on the left hook. Denny got a second wind and began to land counter-right hooks and straight left-hands.
One judge saw it 97-93 for McGowen, overruled by the other two scores of 96-94 for Denny. 3Kings Boxing scored it a draw but has no issues with Denny being named the winner.
SEAN MCCOMB DIGS DEEP TO RETAIN MINOR TITLE OVER KAISEE BENJAMIN
In a junior welterweight showdown Sean McComb (16-1, 5KO) successfully retained the WBO European title over Kaisee Benjamin (16-3-1, 6KO).
McComb came out on fire with blistering combinations working off the front foot. He used angles to keep the aggressive Benjamin at mid-range distance. It was beginning to look like an easy night as the Irishman was in full control.
Then in the second half, Benjamin came alive and found a home for the straight right hand which is the go-to punch against a southpaw. He started attacking the body of McComb, which slowed down the pace of the fight.
As the fight was coming to a close, both men fought at a furious pace. Benjamin continued to come forward, landing the right hand that hurt his opponent a few times. However, McComb came roaring back with sharp combination punches and hooks to the body.
The crowd gave both men a standing ovation at the sound of the final bell. The judges scorecards read 97-94, 97-93, and 96-95 in favor of McComb. 3Kings Boxing agrees with the final score card.
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