At the Chelsea Ballroom in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Nevada, a high-stakes boxing evening unfolded, showcasing a blend of experience and emerging talent. Promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, the event was headlined by a significant WBA/IBF title eliminator.
William “Camaron” Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs), the WBA Continental Americas Lightweight champion, demonstrated his prowess against former IBO World Lightweight champion Maxi “Maximus” Hughes (26-6-2, 5 KOs), with the fight concluding in a decisive stoppage at the end of the fourth round.
From the opening bell, the match was action-packed, with both southpaws eager to establish dominance. Despite Hughes showing competitive spirit early on, Zepeda quickly took control, backing Hughes with precise strikes. The third round saw Zepeda unleash a barrage of unanswered punches, setting the tone for the remainder of the bout. By the fourth round, Zepeda's body attack overwhelmed Hughes, leading to the stoppage and asserting Zepeda’s standing in the lightweight division.
The co-main event featured Floyd “Kid Austin” Scofield (17-0, 12 KOs) in a bout against Esteuri Suero (13-2, 10 KOs) that ended in controversy. Scofield’s versatility and power had Suero in trouble early on. However, the bout was marred by fouls, leading to Scofield’s victory by disqualification in the fifth round after Suero committed multiple infractions, showcasing Scofield's dominance and resilience.
Middleweight Eric Priest (13-0, 8 KOs) delivered a commanding performance against Jose "Matador" Sanchez (21-5-1, 12 KOs), controlling the fight with an effective jab and powerful rights. Priest's skill and strategy were evident as he won every round, culminating in a unanimous decision that highlighted his potential for future title contention.
Cruiserweight Tristan ‘Sweet T’ Kalkreuth (22-1, 10 KOs) provided a highlight-reel moment with a stunning second-round knockout of Marquice Weston (15-3-1, 8 KOs). Kalkreuth’s devastating left hook confirmed his knockout power and rising status in the cruiserweight division.
Welterweight newcomer Joel Iriarte (1-0, 1 KO) made an impressive debut, stopping Bryan Alexis Carguacundo (3-6-2, 0 KOs) in the second round. Iriarte’s aggression and precision from the outset signaled the arrival of a promising talent in the welterweight ranks.
Image Credit: Golden Boy