The transition of skilled Cuban boxers from amateur ranks to the professional stage is always engaging. Kevin Hayler Brown, a 31-year-old based in Las Vegas, has improved his record to 7-0 with 3 knockouts following his most recent victory. Given his age, time is a significant factor in his career progression.
Kevin Hayler Brown secures Unanimous Decision against Esteuri Suero
Cuban fighter Brown continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision victory over Suero in Florida last weekend. The initial three rounds were cautious and close, with both fighters working to establish their jabs. From the fourth round onwards, Brown increased his activity level and landed more accurate punches, gaining control of the bout.
Suero remained competitive, but Brown`s superior speed allowed him to evade Suero`s attacks and respond with powerful counters. In the ninth round, a pair of right hands sent Suero to the canvas hard. Although he quickly rose, Suero resorted to holding under pressure to prevent Brown from scoring.
Following a couple of warnings for holding, the referee deducted a point from Suero. To compound his troubles, Suero suffered a second knockdown in the round from a rapid combination of short punches. Suero made it to the final bell, but Brown was a clear winner on the official scorecards: 98-89, 96-91, and 95-92.
This win follows Brown`s victory over the previously 18-1 John Bauza, indicating strong progress. Suero, on the other hand, was fortunate not to face another disqualification; he was deducted three points for fouls against Starling Castillo and was disqualified in the fifth round against Floyd Schofield last year after receiving two point deductions.
Hendri Cedeno earns TKO victory over Idalberto Umara
Cedeno took the fight to Umara from the opening bell, maintaining constant pressure. He advanced behind his jab, landing straight rights and hooks to the body. Umara boxed well while retreating but struggled to escape the ropes and was largely preoccupied with defense, limiting his offense.
Umara managed to find a breakthrough in the third round, landing several hooks and uppercuts, including a right hook that visibly hurt Cedeno. However, Cedeno regained control in the fourth and fifth rounds, consistently pushing Umara to the ropes and targeting the body with both hands while absorbing Umara`s counter punches.
The sustained pressure wore Umara down; he appeared fatigued in the arms and was throwing fewer punches. He retired before the start of the seventh round. Cedeno claimed the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title in his first fight scheduled for 10 rounds. Notably, Cuban Umara had previously lost a split decision to Kevin Hayler Brown in May.
Lenier Pero wins by Points against Detrailous Webster
Pero secured a points victory but was fortunate not to be disqualified for repeated low blows. Pero stunned Webster early in the fight and maintained control, leveraging his height and reach advantages. He used his jab effectively and landed powerful lefts to build a significant lead.
Webster rallied in the eighth round, but Pero still seemed comfortably ahead. However, low punches in the ninth round resulted in Pero being deducted two points. Despite this, he won the scoring in the final two rounds, securing the decision with scores of 96-92 and 98-90.
Pero has recorded three first-round finishes in his last four fights and stopped the previously unbeaten Viktor Vykhryst, yet his Number Five rating with the WBA is considered questionable by some. This was Webster`s first fight scheduled for more than six rounds.
Gurgen Hovhannisyan scores KO against Dajuan Calloway
Hovhannisyan claimed a fifth-round knockout win in a bout notable for the sheer size of the participants; collectively, they weighed a massive 718 lbs (326 kgs)! Perhaps the ring builder deserves special mention!
This fight proceeded at a slow, heavy pace. The 6’7” Hovhannisyan held a 4-inch height advantage but was significantly outweighed by 124 lbs by the 6’3”, 421 lbs Calloway. Hovhannisyan did enough to secure the first three rounds, although Calloway managed to land a couple of solid right hands.
Hovhannisyan scored effectively using his reach in the fourth round but was vulnerable to Calloway`s jabs. In the fifth, Hovhannisyan backed Calloway into a corner and landed a trio of rights to the head, sending Calloway sliding to the canvas. Hovhannisyan then landed a left hook while Calloway was down on one knee.
The referee counted out Calloway, who made no attempt to rise. Gurgen has seven wins by knockout or technical knockout, but only just scraped past the 6-2 Patrick Mailata via majority decision in December. Calloway had won his last four fights coming into this bout.
Christopher Diaz defeats Jose Meza by Points
Former WBO featherweight title challenger Christopher Diaz recovered from his December loss to Henry Lebron by securing a points win over Jose Meza. The judges scored it 79-73 (twice) and 80-72 in favor of Diaz. Notably, four of Diaz`s five career losses have come against fighters who were or became titleholders. All of Meza`s defeats have been by decision.
