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Results
- Oleksandr Usyk RTD-7 Chazz Witherspoon (3:00)
- Dmitry Bivol UD-12 Lenin Castillo (120-107, 119-108, 119-108)
- Otha Jones III MD-10 Eric Manriquez (38-38, 40-46, 39-37)
- Jessica McCaskill MD-10 Erica Farias (94-94, 97-91, 96-92)
Round By Round
Oleksandr Usyk vs Chazz Witherspoon
Round 1: Witherspoon takes center ring to open the fight and Usyk defends against some early jabs from Witherspoon well. Jab from Usyk fights a home upstairs. Usyk is noticeably smaller than Witherspoon and Witherspoon wants to make him feel it. Jab from Witherspoon falls short. Hard left to the body lands clean for Usyk. Clubbing right hand lands for Witherspoon. Witherspoon misses on a lead jab to the head. Witherspoon had a pretty good round but I think Usyk landed the single best shot of an otherwise slow round. Usyk 10-9.
Round 2: Jab to the body lands for Usyk. Straight left hand from Usyk partially lands. Clean left hand lead scores for Usyk again. Usyk misses on a right hook to the head, so goes down to the body instead. Straight left hand lands to the body for Usyk. Right hand lead from Witherspoon falls short. WItherspoon partially lands a right hand this time. Usyk tries another straight left to the body and makes contact. Usyk 10-9, 20-18.
Round 3: Right hand from Witherspoon gets blocked by Usyk. Usyk sticks a straight left hand to the body. Usyk take a more aggressive posture in this round and lands a left hand to the head, then another. Witherspoon reaches on a left hook to the body that misses as Usyk skips side to side. Straight left hand lands clean from Usyk and knocks Witherspoon back to the ropes. Counter left hand lands for Usyk again. Right hand from Usyk picks off Witherspoon. Hard left to the body lands clean for Usyk. Left hand scores for Usyk again to the head of Witherspoon. Usyk likes it. Witherspoon 10-9.
Round 4: Jab lands to the body for Usyk but Witherspoon gets in a counter. Witherspoon misses on two jabs upstairs as he can’t really deal with Usyk’s lateral movement. Two hard left hand lands upstairs for Usyk! Witherspoon tries to land a left hand to fight Usyk off of him. Big right hand from Witherspoon misses. RIght hand lands over the top for Usyk. Usyk times a clean shot on Witherspoon, then steps in behind a few more punches. Usyk 10-9, 39-37.
Round 5: Usyk comes out pressing and lands a jab as Witherspoon backs to the ropes. Clean jab lands upstairs for Usyk. Hard straight left to the body from Usyk lands with a thud. Usyk lands another straight left to the body and then looks to bring it up to the head. Clean one-two lands well for Usyk. Another left to the body scores for Usyk, followed by a stiff jab to the head. Usyk is touching Witherspoon really easily now. Usyk 10-9.
Round 6: Straight left hand from Usyk partially lands upstairs. Witherspoon trying to fight defensively responsible knowing he doesn’t have the stamina to keep pace with Usyk. Right hook from Usyk lands upstairs. Usyk goes on the attack and hurts Witherspoon a little and then Usyk smiles and takes a step back to center ring. Right hook tot he body lands for Usyk. Now Witherspoon partially lands a right hook to the ehad. Left hook to the body lands for Usyk, then a right hook to the head. Witherspoon is on the ropes and in trouble as Usyk starts letting his hands go. Counter jab lands clean for Usyk. Three punches come from Usyk at the bell. Usyk 10-9, 59-55.
Round 7: Jab lands for Usyk upstairs. Clean left hand gets in for Usyk, snapping Witherspoon’s head back. Usyk has Witherspoon on the ropes and lands a straight left hand to the body. Witherspoon misses on a right hand and Usyk comes back with a right hand to the body. Jab lands for Usyk. Two more punches land for Usyk, who then flurries as Witherspoon tries to load up on a right hand. More hard shots land for Usyk which knock Witherspoon into another corner. Witherspoon is bleeding from his mouth now. Usyk 10-9.
Witherspoon retires between rounds. Usyk TKO-7.
Dmitry Bivol vs Lenin Castillo
Round 1: Bivol measures with a jab, and probes with his upperbody movement. Castillo throws a couple shots that Bivol easily defends. Jab from Bivol gets a bit closer to splitting Castillo’s guard. Jab to the body scores for Bivol. Clean jab lands for Bivol upstairs this time. Castillo is staying on the back foot early, trying to time Bivol with counters. Right hand lands downstairs for Bivol. Castillo falls short on two shots in retaliation to a Bivol blow. Right hand from Bivol comes around Castillo’s glove. Bivol 10-9.
Round 2: Bivol feints with a few times and bounces as he looks for a place to land a shot. Right hand from Castillo falls short to the body. Bivol hasn’t really thrown a punch for the opening minute of the round and now lets one go. Castillo is also clearly concerned about Bivol’s power as he’s hesistant to lead even when Bivol isn’t looking to throw. Bivol throws two shots and pushes Castill back to the ropes. Two punches land to the body by Bivol. Right hand from Bivol partially lands to the head. Bivol presses with his jab and Castillo is still not looking to let his hands go much. Bivol 10-9, 20-18.
Round 3: Right hand lands to the body for Bivol. Castillo throws two half-hearted jabs that don’t land. Castillo continues to lay back and wait for Bivol to overcommit, which Bivol isn’t keen on doing — that’s making for pretty slow action. Jab lands for Bivol to the body. Castillo throws a jab upstairs but it doesn’t reach. Man, this fight kinda sucks. Bivol 10-9.
Round 4: Bivol comes put looking to land something but Castillo flicks out a jab to disrupt his rhythm. Castillo tries to land a jab to the body but it’s only grazing. Hard left hook lands for Bivol and Castillo grins. Jab to the body lands for Bivol again. Right hand lands for Bivol as Castillo gets in a shot. Bivol gets back to his jab and Castillo tries to throw a short combination of ineffective punches. Clean jab lands upstairs for Bivol as Castillo gets backed towards the ropes. Bivol 10-9, 40-36.
Round 5: Castillo misses on a jab to open the round. Jab from Bivol to the body partially lands. Counter left hook from Bivol gets blocked by Castillo. Now Bivol gets in a clean shot during an exchange. Bivol lands a right hand over the top. Bivol throws a right hand following a jab and Castillo gets pushed to the ropes. Castillo throws a couple of jabs of his own to force his way back to center ring. Bivol flicks a few jabs and then throws a right hand to the body. Clean jab lands for Bivol upstairs followed by a left hook. Bivol 10-9.
Round 6: Jab from Bivol pierces Castillo’s guard. Jab lands again for Bivol. Another left hand jab from Bivol splits Castillo’s guard. HARD SHOT FROM FROM BIVOL MAKES CASTILLO’S LEGS STIFFEN UP AND HE TUMBLES TO THE DECK! Castillo gets up and wants to continue. Bivol presses forward with stiff jab and then lands a right hand over the top. Left hand to the body scores for Bivol. Two hard body shots land for Castillo now. Castillo throws two more body shots as Bivol covers up. Bivol 10-8, 60-53.
Round 7: Bivol lands a body shot and Castillo tries to counter with his own shot. Jab lands to the body for Bivol. Both fighters trade jabs this time. Bivol jabs twice upstairs and then sticks a stiff jab to the body. Left to the body from Bivol partially lands. Castillo is on the defensive, trying to not overextend himself so that he can make it through the rest of the fight. Left to the body lands for Castillo. Left hook from Bivol lands clean upstairs right at the bell. Bivol 10-9.
Round 8: Bivol lands a jab upstairs. Castillo throws a right hand to the body that doesn’t find the target. Jab from Bivol pierces Castillo’s guard. Another left hand from Bivol finds a home and he maintains his distance on the outside, where he can comfortably outbox Castillo. Castillo throws a couple of shots and then smothers his work with Bivol on the ropes. Right hand to the body lands clean for Bivol. Bivol gets in another right hand downstairs following a couple of measuring jabs to the head. Bivol 10-9, 80-71.
Round 9: Bivol comes out establishing his jab once again, looking for a place to put in the right hand behind it. Now Bivol lands a right hand to the body and Castillo gets in a clean counter. Castillo lands another clean shot and he presses Bivol to the ropes for a moment but Bivol circles back to the center of the ring. Bivol jabs twice upstairs and Castillo throws a couple of shots to interrupt Bivol. Hard shot lands for Bivol but Castillo throws in return to stop Bivol’s momentum. RIght hand to the body partially lands for Bivol and Castillo throws three in return that miss. I’m actually going to give Castillo this round for backing Bivol up a lot and actually lands a couple of clean shots. Castillo 10-9.
Round 10: Castillo fighting behind his high guard at center ring. Bivol throws a probing jab and then tries a check hook. Hard combination comes from Bivol with Castillo on the ropes. Castillo misses on two shots and Bivol counters with a couple of punches that make much better contact. Now Castillo lands a jab. Bivol tries to flick out his left hand a few times as he looks for an opening. Right hand to the body scores for Bivol. Clean right hand lands for Bivol upstairs this time. Bivol 10-9, 99-90.
Round 11: Right hand from Castillo doesn’t quite land well to the body. Jab lands clean for Bivol upstairs. Castillo retreats to the ropes and then steps forward as Bivol tries to meet him with two punches. Both fighters trade jabs. Bivol sticks a jab to the body. Right hand lead partially lands for Bivol. One-two lands clean for Bivol. Slow round. Bivol 10-9.
Round 12: Castillo measures with a few jabs as Bivol keeps a tight guard. Bivol throws a combination and lands a couple of clean hard shots. Right hand lands clean to the body for Bivol. Castillo misses on a right hand lead. Counter right hand lands over the top for Bivol now. Castillo charges forward with a few shots but he can’t land anything. RIght hand to the body scores for Bivol, who then looks to follow it up with a couple more punches but Castillo is keeping his hands at home. Bivol 10-9, 119-108.
Otha Jones III vs Eric Manriquez
Round 1: Jones comes out to center ring and lands a hard body shot right away. Right hand lands downstairs again for Jones. Jones misses on the next right hand to the body which followed a jab. Jones partially lands a check left hook. Left hook to the body lands for Jones. Manriquez grabs hold after he misses on a punch. Double left hook ends to the body and lands clean for Jones. Right hand gets in upstairs for Jones as Manriquez is still feeling that last liver shot. Jones 10-9.
Round 2: Jones strafes Manriquez along the ropes and the fighters end up getting tangled and taking a spill to the canvas. Body shot lands on the inside for Jones and Manriquez is largely just trying to defend himself but he managed to lose his mouthpiece. Manriquez ties up after throws two shots that Jones blocks. Jones steps forward and lands a short uppercut on the inside. Jones 10-9, 20-18.
Round 3: Jones comes out and misses on a left hook upstairs. Jones throws two shots to the body on the inside as Manriquez tries to force a clinch. Another short uppercut lands for Jones to the body. Double left hook lands for Jones, Manriquez gets in a right hand in return. Jones misses on a homerun right hook. Referee calls a timeout because Manriquez lost his mouthpiece again. Manriquez throws a few shots that are largely ineffective. Jones 10-9.
Round 4: Manriquez steps forward and nearly walks into a big shot from Jones. Jones jabs to the body and then looks to place one upstairs. Right hand lead lands for Jones. Chopping right hand lands on the inside for Jones. Left hand lands upstairs for Manriquez. Now Manriquez steps in behind a few more punches but they don’t find the range. Jones chops in a couple of short hooks on the inside. Left hand lands upstairs for Jones. Hard left hook lands to the body for Jones. Leaping left hook from Manriquez falls short. Jones 10-9, 40-36.
Jessica McCaskill vs Erica Farias
Round 1: Farias landsa jab to the body to start the round. Faris misses on a lead right hand. Now and she throws hands misses on a short combination before trying to establish her jab. Three punches from McCaskill miss the mark. Overhand right partially lands for Farias, who then ties up McCaskill as she gets rushed along the ropes. Right hand lead lands for Farias, who then tries to loop it for a second time with a little less success. Farias 10-9.
Round 2: McCaskill comes out pressing with an active left hand but misses on a big sweeping right hook. Overhand right misses for Farias as the fighters end up getting tangled. Left hook lands for Farias upstairs. Right hand misses for Farias this time, and the fighters end up in a clinch and get warned by the referee about it being too frequent. Uppercut lands for McCaskill but Farias gets in one back. McCaskill 10-9, 19-19.
Round 3: Jab lands to the body for Farias. Right hand from McCaskill justs falls short. Now McCaskill lands an uppercut to the body. Jab lands upstairs for Farias, who then moves and grabs hold of McCaskill. Left hook lands clean for Farias, who holds again to follow it up. Referee warns Farias about holding too much. McCaskill charges forward with punches as Farias looks to hold again. I think she’s a little tired from all the big shots she was throwing early. McCaskill 10-9.
Round 4: McCaskill comes out on the hunt and goes to the body to open the round. Eight hand lands to the body for McCaskill again, Farias grabs hold. Now Farias gets a point deducted for holding by the referee. Left hook lands for Farias who continues to hold after she throws. Uppercut lands for McCaskill, then a right hand upstairs. Farias holds on once again! Farias continues to hold but McCaskill gets in a clean right hand to the body. McCaskill 10-8, 39-36.
Round 5: Both fighters trade to start the fifth round. McCaskill throws several shots as Farias tries to counter before initiating another clinch. Farias misses on a couple of hooks and McCaskill lands a clean uppercut as a counter. Clean left hand lands for McCaskill. Two body shots land for Farias on the inside but they don’t have much behind them. Farias blew her load early and now can only fight in spots, otherwise forced to hold. McCaskill 10-9.
Round 6: THe fighters trade and Farias looks to hold as McCaskill keeps throwing. Now Farias throws a couple punches, holds, and gets hit behind the head. Now the referee takes a point from McCaskill for hitting behind the head but Farias is causing that with the constant holding while McCaskill is trying to work. Two shots land downstairs for Farias. Left hook lands upstais for Faris. This is a sloppy fight. Both fighters get tangled and wrestle. I think Farias won that round and gets the benefit of the questionable point deduction. Farias 10-8, 55-57.
Round 7: McCaskill comes out with a jab that doesn’t land. Farias throws a few jabs that miss before tying up McCaskill. Jab lands clean for McCaskill. Left hook gets in for McCaskill this time. Two jabs land for McCaskill and Farias fires back with a couple of shots down stairs. Farias doesn’t let go of McCaskill’s arm when the referee calls a break and then ties up McCaskill right after. McCaskill 10-9.
Round 8: Right hand lead lands for McCaskill. Both fighters end up in another clinch and the referee has to break them. Farias misses on four punches and eats a counter from McCaskill. Two shots land for McCaskill and Farias grabs hold. Another clean right hand gets in for McCaskill. Left hook to the body lands for Farias before McCaskill comes back with a couple more punches. McCaskill 10-9, 77-73.
Round 9: Another clinch right away and Farias complains of another punch behind the head. Short combination comes from Farias that lands pretty well before clinching again. Body shots lands for Farias on the inside, then a left hand upstairs. Clean left hand lands upstairs for Farias again, who then gets pushed down by McCaskill. Farias 10-9.
Round 10: Last round. Thank God. Both fighters trade and get right back into another clinch. McCaskill charges forward after the break only to find herself in another lengthy clinch. Both fighters continues to throw sloppy punches from the clinch and neither can land much clean. Left lands upstairs for Farias, McCaskill gets in one too. Left lands downstairs for Farias. Farias 10-9, who benefited with an extremely long leash on the holding throughout. I’ve got it for McCaskill even still. McCaskill 95-93.
Tonight at 7 pm ET streaming live on DAZN, Oleksandr Usyk fights for the first time in 2019, as the former undisputed cruiserweight champion finally makes his move up to heavyweight to face veteran Chazz Witherspoon.
Wil Esco will be here for round-by-round updates of the “main card” portion of the show beginning at 9 pm ET.
This card, being honest, is not the best you’re going to find by any means, and the top two bouts are looking like stay-busy sort of fights for the A-sides. There is danger for any cruiserweight going to heavyweight, but Usyk’s skill level — and the fact he looked diesel at 215 pounds on Friday — should be way too much for Witherspoon, an aged short notice replacement foe who’s been out of the spotlight for the last seven years.
In the co-feature, it’ll be WBA light heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol in action against fringe contender Lenin Castillo. The most well-matched fight on the show is a 140-pound title rematch between Jessica McCaskill and Erica Farias, and we’ll also see several prospects in action, most notably super middleweight Anthony Sims Jr, who takes on Morgan Fitch.
Here’s the full rundown:
Full Card (DAZN, 7:00 pm ET)
- Oleksandr Usyk (16-0, 12 KO) vs Chazz Witherspoon (38-3, 29 KO), heavyweights, 12 rounds
- Dmitry Bivol (16-0, 11 KO) vs Lenin Castillo (20-2-1, 15 KO), light heavyweights, 12 rounds
- Jessica McCaskill (7-2, 3 KO) vs Erica Farias (26-3, 10 KO), rematch, junior welterweights, 10 rounds