Prospects are in action and two veteran junior welterweights will collide with a potential title shot on the line tonight in Las Vegas, and we'll be here at 6 pm ET with live streaming coverage of the Crawford-Postol preliminary undercard bouts.
The main fight set for this portion of the show is between IK Yang (19-1, 14 KO) and Leonardo Zappavigna, a.k.a. Lenny Zappa (34-2, 24 KO). The 143-pound catchweight fight is set for 10 rounds.
2012 Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata (10-0, 7 KO) of Japan will fight in the United States for the second time, taking on George "Comanche Boy" Tahdooahnippah (34-2-3, 24 KO) in a 10-round bout.
Also set for the prelims:
- Stanyslav Skorokhod (10-1, 8 KO) vs Hakim Bryant (6-0, 4 KO), middleweights, 6 rounds
- Edward Williams (11-1-1, 4 KO) vs Christon Edwards (6-1, 3 KO), welterweights, 6 rounds
- Steve Nelson (2-0, 2 KO) vs Tim Meek (5-2-1, 3 KO), light heavyweights, 4 rounds
Once the pay-per-view broadcast begins at 9 pm ET, our live coverage will switch to this post.
* * * * *
RESULTS
Ryota Murata def. George Tahdooahnippah by TKO (1:52 of round 1)
Lenny Zappavigna def. IK Yang by TKO (0:43 of round 6)
Edward Williams def. Christon Edwards by UD (59-55, 59-55, 58-56)
Stanyslav Skorokhod def. Hakim Bryant by UD (59-53, 60-52, 60-52)
Steve Nelson def. Tim Meek by TKO (0:32 of round 4)
* * * * *
ROUND BY ROUND
RYOTA MURATA vs GEORGE TAHDOOAHNIPPAH
Round 1: Murata SMASHES Comanche Boy with a left hook to the body a little less than halfway into the round, and Tahdooahnippah takes a knee. He gets up at 8. Murata pummels him in the corner. It's over. Murata TKO-1
IK YANG vs LENNY ZAPPAVIGNA
Round 1: This should be an entertaining fight, at least. It's also set for 10, not 12. Zappavigna is a guy who cuts a lot, Yang is favored for me because of that. Both guys throwing in the opening round, looking for openings. Zappavigna maybe a bit better this round. Zappavigna 10-9
Round 2: Good right hand from Yang about a minute into the round. Zappavigna still pressing a good deal, but Yang trying to time him and doing a bit of it. Yang showboating a bit, which he'll do. Yang looking sharper in the second round. Left hooks being traded. Yang 10-9, 19-19
Round 3: Zappa really loading up on some shots. Digging to the body with a hard hook. Left upstairs, right behind it. Yang getting hit pretty consistently here, good jab, then two long rights touch Yang. Good right again from Zappa. Zappavigna 10-9, 29-28
Round 4: Zappa clubs Yang with a hard right that shakes him up. Zappa closing in, trying to finish it off in the corner, but Yang hangs on. Yang coming back in the second half of the round, though. Yang really rallied back here and I think took this round. Yang 10-9, 38-38
Round 5: Zappavigna having a better round now, this one's going back and forth. Zappa got his jab going this round. This is fun stuff thus far. Worth tuning in. Zappavigna 10-9, 48-47
Round 6: Zappa hurts Yang early in the round, he's following up, and Vic Drakulich stop sthe fight! Zappavigna TKO-6
EDWARD WILLIAMS vs CHRISTON EDWARDS
Round 1: Williams landing from range, using his height and reach advantages. Edwards looking to counter more later in the round, getting a feel for Williams, who at 32 is nine years older than Edwards. Good opening round for Williams, though, definitely. Williams 10-9
Round 2: Williams staying in control. Edwards really having a hard time getting close to him here. Williams 10-9, 20-18
Round 3: Williams now starting to lead the action more often. Edwards just can't find his way in, really. But late he's starting to get wild, which is something, anyway. Williams 10-9, 30-27
Round 4: More of the same. Edwards is working, just not effectively. Williams with more jabbing might stop him, actually, set up a bigger shot. Williams 10-9, 40-36
Round 5: Really more of the same. Williams able to smother any time Edwards does get inside. Williams 10-9, 50-45
Round 6: Williams is in cruise control this round, Edwards trying really hard to do something special. He's landing more but it's going to be too little, too late. Edwards 10-9, Williams 59-55
STANYSLAV SKOROKHOD vs HAKIM BRYANT
Round 1: Skorokhod drops Bryant about halfway into the round with a hard counter hook, and he's hurt him again with 55 seconds left. Skorokhod landing the rights and the lefts, he's getting battered. Bayless taking a look as Bryant tackles Skorokhod to the mat on another knockdown. Skorokhod 10-7
Round 2: Skorokhod comes out just blasting Bryant again. Bryant is trying, he's fighting, but Skorokhod is just better than him thus far. Still, maybe just getting through this round on his feet will get Bryant going. He's shown no lack of bravery, and has gotten closer in the latter half. Skorokhod 10-9, 20-16
Round 3: Hakim Bryant has scrapped his way back into this fight a little bit. I liked him this round, he got the better of the action. Bryant 10-9, Skorokhod 29-26
Round 4: Skorokhod getting going again this round, not letting Bryant build up real momentum. But Bryant is still coming forward constantly. Admirable effort, but it looks like it will be for naught. Skorokhod 10-9, 39-35
Round 5: Skorokhod boxing safely to victory now, which is fair. He spent a lot of energy early, and Bryant didn't go away in the second, no reason to get reckless. Skorokhod 10-9, 49-44
Round 6: Same thoughts as the fifth round. Skorokhod 10-9, 59-53
STEVE NELSON vs TIM MEEK
Round 1: Nelson is an Omaha fighter, jazzed to fight on a card like this in just his third pro fight. Needless to say, that's not the norm for fighters from Omaha. Nelson fighting aggressively early. Meek looking to counter. Slowing down as the round wears on, lots of standing around. Big right and Meek is down! Huge delayed reaction! That was wild. He's up and the fight will continue into round two. Nelson 10-8
Round 2: Nelson headhunting to start this round, and he's landing the right. Meek seems to have gotten his legs back a bit, Nelson jabbing more trying to set up the right in the final minute. Decent hook from Meek late in the round, he's hanging around. Nelson 10-9, 20-17
Round 3: Nelson still in control, Meek still hanging in there, basically. Nelson has been somewhat one dimensional, but it's fight number three for him, too. Meek cut over the left eye, and he's hurt again on a left hook. Right hand on top of the cut, and another. Nelson 10-9, 30-26
Round 4: Nelson looking for the stoppage, Meek's corner sees that early, and they call the fight. Commission inspector literally runs into the ring and halfway across the canvas trying to get Drakulich's attention. Nelson TKO-4