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Steve KimESPN
Jared Anderson made the most of his opportunity as the co-headliner at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, as he scored a third-round TKO of Johnnie Langston. Anderson, a young heavyweight from Toledo, Ohio, was given an elevated spot on this card after featherweight Mikaela Mayer was pulled from the card after testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday.
For the first time in his career, Anderson went beyond the first round. Though he seemed a tad overeager in the early rounds, throwing one hard punch after another, Anderson eventually relaxed and wore down Langston (8-3, 3 KOs).
“It was amazing, I was happy to finally get in a couple more rounds, get a little more experience,” Anderson said. “I know what it’s like to get that much into a fight. So it’s a great feeling.”
Consistent body blows were key in softening up Langston in the second round. In the third, Anderson (4-0, 4 KOs) fought almost exclusively as a left-hander and battered Langston with a two-fisted attack. Referee Jay Nady waved off the fight at 1:55 of the round.
Anderson’s body punches were impressive.
“Just being around great fighters — Keyshawn Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Albert Bell … just a lot of good fighters. They always go to the body, got great body work, so they just showed me a lot.
Bob Arum says that Anderson was the “unsung hero” of the Tyson Fury camp, as he helped him prepare for the rematch with Deontay Wilder earlier this year. Many believe Anderson is the premier American heavyweight prospect.
“I stay humble, I keep working, I do the best I can, listen to my coaches, and just keep being great,” Anderson said.
Vianello defeats Haynesworth
Heavyweight prospect Guido Vianello scored his seventh stoppage in as many fights by halting Donald Haynesworth in the first round. After a relatively measured start, the Italian boxer’s chopping, overhand right sent Haynesworth to the canvas.
Haynesworth (16-4-1, 14 KOs) was able to get up, but referee Jay Nady didn’t like what he was seeing from him and waved off the fight at 2:16 of the first round.
After training under the direction of Abel Sanchez for the first four bouts of his career, Vianello (7-0, 7 KOs) is now working with Kevin Barry.
“In the gym, I try to work every day on my right hand, and I’ve been trying to do more with my jab,” Vianello said. “I try to change my distance, go up and down with my jab, and I try every day to strengthen my right hand.
“Italy needs to come back after the virus, and I love Italy, so I fight for my country. I’ll stay here, and I’ll try to fight all summer. Maybe July, August — I’ll do two fights, and then I’ll go back to my family.”
Cash wins technical decision
Quatavious Cash scored a clear sixth-round technical decision over Calvin Metcalf in an entertaining middleweight contest. It was a well-matched fight that saw steady action from both fighters, who kept up a fast pace until the fight was stopped early in the final round because of a cut over Metcalf’s left eye, which was opened by a clash of heads in the second round.
Now I done seen some crazy cut and the fight wasn’t stopped
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) June 10, 2020
Cash (12-2, 7 KOs) possessed the superior skills and landed the more decisive punches, but Metcalf (10-4-1, 3 KOs) kept marching forward the entire fight. Although Metcalf’s punches were numerous, they lacked power. The more noticeable punches were landed by Cash, who had to fight much of this bout backing up. Despite that, he came out on top by scores of 60-54, 60-55 and 59-55.
Ramirez stops Andujar in Round 1
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Featherweight Robeisy Ramirez (3-1, 3 KOs) made quick work of Yeuri Andujar (5-4, 3 KOs), needing just 54 seconds to score his third consecutive stoppage victory. A hard left on the chin in the opening seconds of the bout stunned Andujar, who went down a short time later by a follow-up uppercut.
Andujar rose to his feet, but another booming overhand left from Ramirez had him down for the second time. Referee Tony Weeks immediately waved off the bout.
“It was an honor to be the first fight back, and I am proud of the performance I gave tonight,” Ramirez said after the fight. “My pro debut is long behind me, and I am progressing with every fight. I hope to return shortly.”
For Ramirez, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who scored a victory over Shakur Stevenson in the finals of the 2016 Olympic Games, it’s another indication that his shocking upset loss to Adan Gonzalez in his pro debut was an aberration.
“Shakur is a world champion, and that’s a fight I want down the line,” Ramirez said. “But I have to continue my winning ways and prove that I’m worthy of that opportunity as a pro.”