Unbeaten heavyweight Gurgen ‘Big Gug’ Hovhannisyan (9-0, 8 KOs) scored three knockdowns, stopping Chris ‘Sandman’ Thomas (15-2-2, 10 KOs) in three rounds for the WBA Continental North American title on Friday night at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Florida.
In the first round, Hovhannisyan landed a jab and an overhand right on the chin, and down went Thomas for an 8-count in the final minute of the round from Referee Mossimo Montanini. In the second round’s first minute, Hovhannisyan landed a right on the chin, and down again went Thomas for an 8-count from referee Montanini.
In the third round, after a minute, Hovhannisyan landed half a dozen punches as Thomas was falling to the canvas. Referee Montanini waved it off without a count.
In the co-feature, super bantamweight Angel ‘AK-47’ Barrientes (14-1, 9 KOs) came from behind to stop Jorge De Jesus Romero (23-2-1, 14 KOs) at 0:30 of the tenth and final round for the vacant WBA Continental super bantamweight title.
In the first round, the taller Barrientes got the better of the Romero by countering him. In the second through the fourth rounds, Romero kept coming forward, putting the pressure on Barrientes, outworking him.
In the fifth round’s final seconds, Romero landed a right on the chin of Barrientes. In the sixth round, Barrientes started opening up and outscoring Romero. In the final seconds, Romero landed a solid left to the chin of Barrientes.
In the seventh round, Romero came back well enough to take a close round. In the eighth round, Barrientes came back well, landing five unanswered punches midway, knowing the fight was up for grabs.
In the ninth round, Romero came back well, outlanding Barrientes. In the tenth and final round, Barrientes went on the attack, driving Romero all over the ring, landing over a dozen unanswered punches until Referee Young waved it off.
Heavyweight ‘Captain’ Drake Banks (10-0, 7 KOs) defeated ‘King’ Colby Madison (11-8-3, 7 KOs) by an eight-round unanimous decision.
Halfway through the second round, Banks landed a solid right on the chin, getting the attention of Madison. With half a minute remaining, a left hook from Banks on the chin knocked Madison back a few steps. In the third round, Madison landed a good right on the chin of Banks, who came back with a right of his own. Good round for Madison.
In the fourth round, Banks had Madison against the ropes for most of the round. Just inside the final minute of the sixth round, Banks landed a solid right on the chin, rocking Madison. In the seventh round, Madison kept on the move, looking to go the distance as Banks stalked him. In the eighth and final round, Banks was trying for another knockout when Madison was in survival mode, wanting to go the distance. Another round for Banks.
Scores 78-74, 78-74, and 79-73. Michael DeJesus was the referee.
Super Welterweight Alex Bray (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped Lesther ‘El Negrito Explosivo’ Espino (9-7, 7 KOs) at 1:42 of the first round of a scheduled eight rounds.
In the first round, a right from Bray on the chin had Bray hurt and out on his feet when Bray followed with a combination on the chin, and down went Espino for an 8-count from Referee Alicia Collins halfway through the round. In the final minute, Bray landed a flurry of punches, forcing referee Collins to call a halt.
Heavyweight Aleksei Dronov (7-0, 5 KOs) knocked out Joel ‘Quiet Storm’ Caudle (9-9-2, 6 KOs) at 2:48 of the fourth of a scheduled eight rounds.
In the fourth round, Dronov battered Caudle, forcing referee Alicia Collins to call a halt.
Featherweight Chavez ‘The Beast’ Barrientes (12-0, 6 KOs) stopped southpaw Jesus Martinez (38-28-1, 16 KOs) after three rounds of a scheduled eight rounds.
In the first three rounds, Barrientes had his way. In the fourth round, Barrientes dropped Martinez for an 8-count, causing the corner to throw in the towel to stop the fight as Referee Michael DeJesus waved it off.
Featherweight Roberto Rivera Gomez (7-0, 3 KOs) defeated Wilner ‘Wilber’ Soto (24-19, 13 KOs) by a six-round unanimous decision.
In the second round, both boxers would go from orthodox to southpaw. Soto had problems with his right eye reddening from jabs by Gomez. In the fourth round, Gomez rocked Soto with a left uppercut on the chin.
In the fifth round, Gomez hit Soto low and twice behind the head, and then on the back, scored a knockdown from Referee Mossimo Montanini. In the sixth and final round, in the final seconds, Gomez picked up Soto and put him down on the canvas without a warning.
The scores were 60-53, 60-53, and 60-53.
The ring announcer was Mark Fratto.
Last Updated on 07/19/2025
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