Unbeaten WBA Tremendous Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. delivered one other sensational second for followers in his adopted hometown as he blasted out Sena Agbeko in spherical two within the closing SHOWTIME® foremost occasion Saturday night time from The Armory in Minneapolis and introduced by Premier Boxing Champions.
“Thanks to my followers for coming to the struggle,” mentioned Morrell. “I’m instructing everybody who’s primary. I’m prepared. I inform all people, my group, my household…I’m trying ahead to subsequent 12 months. For now, I really feel comfortable. Proper now, I’m going to go to my home for Christmas and concentrate on subsequent 12 months.”
Initially from Cuba, Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) made Minneapolis his house upon arriving stateside to start his professional profession in 2019 and has since delivered six knockouts for followers at The Armory. In entrance of a offered out crowd, the biggest for a boxing occasion at The Armory, Morrell made fast work of the upset minded Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs) with the struggle ending 1:43 into the second spherical.
Morrell first damage Agbeko with a crisp uppercut that pressured Agbeko to retreat to the ropes in hope of survival. Sensing his second, Morrell pounced and damage Agbeko once more, this time with a straight left. After a sequence of highly effective hooks, Mark Nelson was pressured to leap in and finish the bout. Morrell related on a staggering 68% of energy pictures within the decisive spherical, in line with CompuBox.
“Everyone got here out for my struggle and it’s nonetheless very thrilling,” mentioned Morrell. “That is the primary time my dad and my mother got here to observe me struggle, so it’s actually particular to have them right here. It’s my night time. It’s my time. It’s my 12 months, and I’m trying ahead to an excellent 2024.”
After the struggle, Morrell repeated his lengthy held want for a showdown towards fellow unbeaten tremendous middleweight energy puncher David Benavidez.
“In 2024, I need to struggle Benavidez,” mentioned Morrell. “One-hundred %.”
Within the co-main occasion, Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) scored a vicious sixth-round knockout over Chris “Primetime” Colbert (17-2, 6 KOs) of their WBA Light-weight Title Eliminator that served as a rematch after Colbert edged Valenzuela by resolution in March.
“As quickly as I went house I went straight to work,” mentioned Valenzuela. “I need to thank Chris, he’s a hell of a fighter. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be right here. It takes two to tango, so I’m grateful for him.”
Identical to of their first showdown, Valenzuela got here out sizzling and once more dropped Colbert early in spherical one. This time it was with a flurry that pushed Colbert up towards the ropes earlier than he was finally pressured to take a knee, a part of a staggering 33 punches landed for Valenzuela within the spherical.
In one other repeat of their first struggle, Colbert was in a position to present his grit and use his ring IQ to outlive the spherical, and even went on to have some robust moments over the primary few rounds. After Colbert acquired the unanimous resolution of their first struggle, largely behind a powerful and regular jab, Valenzuela confirmed improved foot work and persistence to arrange the eventual victory.
“I gotta tip my hat off to him as a result of he introduced out the most effective in me,” mentioned Valenzuela. “He made me modify. I knew I used to be conditioned to go 12 rounds, so I simply was being affected person. I didn’t need to rush it and punch myself out. I used to be simply teeing off on him. I used to be throwing combos to the physique and to the top, mixing it up.”
After a giant fifth spherical, Valenzuela got here out in spherical six stalking Colbert across the ring searching for one other spot to harm his opponent. Halfway by means of the spherical Valenzuela discovered his second with a leaping proper hook that badly damage Colbert and compelled referee Joel Scobie to cease the bout 1:46 into the spherical.
“The second time he turned left he noticed I used to be gonna throw a jab so he might catch it up entrance, however I dipped somewhat bit and shot the fitting hook,” mentioned Valenzuela in describing the ending blow.
After the struggle, Colbert informed Valenzuela that he hopes to get a 3rd struggle between the 2, whereas Valenzuela expressed that his sights are set on WBA Light-weight Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
“We’re 1-1, let’s run this again,” mentioned Colbert after the struggle.
“I don’t assume the followers need to see a rematch, I beat him twice,” mentioned Valenzuela. “I used to be affected person for a motive. This was a title eliminator and I need to struggle for the title. So ‘Tank’ Davis, let’s get it on man. Let’s give these folks an amazing present… I feel I’m prepared. I put my coronary heart and soul into this and I beat him twice now so I feel I deserve it.”
Within the telecast opener, former world champions squared off as Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (38-6-1, 20 KOs) grinded out a unanimous resolution (98-92 twice, 99-91) over Andre Berto (32-6, 24 KOs) after 10 rounds of welterweight motion.
“I felt nice within the ring,” mentioned Guerrero. “I mentioned within the fighter assembly that I used to be going to field somewhat extra and work on my jab and foot work. Berto is a troublesome character. He’s quick, he’s robust. He tied me up loads. I’m pumped, I’m excited. Let’s see what’s subsequent after this.”
“I got here off an extended layoff to attempt to avenge one in every of my losses and I used to be actually making an attempt tonight,” mentioned Berto. “My timing was off, however I attempted my finest. I like this sport, however I got here up brief.”
Two fighters who’ve delivered quite a few Struggle of the Years all through their careers, Guerrero and Berto met in a rematch of their memorable 2012 battle that Guerrero received by resolution. Within the sequel, Guerrero was the busier and extra correct fighter on his solution to touchdown double digit punches in eight of 10 rounds.
“I needed to struggle smarter,” mentioned Guerrero. “Final time I had a chip on my shoulder after I fought Berto. I needed to stroll him down. This time I used my boxing abilities. You’ve watched me since I used to be 122 kilos and also you knew I might field and be on the surface. In order that’s what I did at this time. I’m excited. , as my father says I’m 40-years-old, however the older the bull, the stiffer the horns.”
Guerrero started to shut down the gap from a jabbing Berto, utilizing 31 jabs to the physique of his personal to melt the protection. Often known as a harmful and wily puncher on the within, Guerrero appeared to make Berto uncomfortable with thudding energy pictures on his charging opponent.
Total, Guerrero out landed Berto 125 to 96, connecting on 39% of pictures to 31% for Berto. Together with his fifth consecutive victory, Guerrero plans to proceed combating and try yet one more climb to world title competition.
“I need to see how far I can go,” mentioned Guerrero. “Perhaps I can get again right into a world title struggle, what do you all take into consideration that? Let me inform you, Mexican energy child!”
Previous to the telecast, motion streaming dwell on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Fb web page was topped by unbeaten former 140-pound world champion Alberto Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) dominating the beforehand unbeaten Ector Madera (11-1, 6 KOs) throughout eight rounds to take house a unanimous resolution by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73.
The streaming presentation additionally featured middleweight Kyrone “Shut it Down” Davis (18-3-1, 6 KOs) incomes an eight-round unanimous resolution over Cruse Stewart (8-3, 6 KOs) by the rating of 75-73 in line with all three judges, and lightweight heavyweight Lawrence King (14-1, 12 KOs) scoring a fourth-round KO (:18) over Alex Theran (23-13, 15 KOs).
Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast whereas versatile fight sports activities voice Mauro Ranallo dealt with blow-by-blow motion alongside Corridor of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Corridor of Famers rounded out the telecast group – Emmy®-winning reporter Jim Grey, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., and boxing historian Steve Farhood, who served as unofficial scorer. 4-time Emmy winner David Dinkins, Jr. executive-produced the telecast with Bob Dunphy directing. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna known as the motion in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Era® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as knowledgeable analyst. Felix DeJesus served as Spanish language interpreter.
The SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN present was hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT dwell digital speak present hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell.
Morrell vs. Agbeko will replay on SHOWTIME EXTREME® on Sunday, December 17 at 1:30 a.m. ET/PT and 9:30 a.m. ET/PT, and Monday, December 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
The occasion was promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing.
