Saturday night was a thrilling one for boxing enthusiasts as two prominent bouts took center stage, featuring YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI (5-0, 5 KOs) facing off against Joe Fournier (8-1, 8 KOs), and a separate bout with Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) squaring off with Ismael Barroso (24-4-2, 22 KOs). Both contests promised excitement and high stakes, but as the evening unfolded, no one could have anticipated the controversy and spectacle that would ensue.
The KSI vs Fournier fight began with both fighters striving to assert their dominance through a barrage of jabs. The first round saw KSI land an early right-hand punch, knocking Fournier to the canvas. Despite the drama, no knockdown was awarded, as the throw was deemed a result of a clinch, leading Fournier to express discontent about punches to the back of his head. As the bout progressed, KSI seemingly exhausted himself with dramatic footwork, chasing Fournier around the ring without landing many clean punches. However, Fournier's failure to capitalize on KSI’s apparent fatigue kept the momentum even.
The tide turned in round two when KSI countered Fournier’s solid right hand with a hard right of his own. In an unexpected twist, KSI’s attempted follow-up right hook missed its mark, with his elbow connecting with Fournier instead. The referee, unable to discern the accidental elbow in real-time, counted Fournier out, awarding the win to KSI. KSI was quick to deny any foul play, claiming it was a legitimate punch that sealed his victory. The fight ended with a heated exchange between KSI and Tommy Fury, suggesting a potential showdown later in the year.
Official full card highlights: Watch Prelims on Youtube
On the other hand, the fight between “Rolly” Romero and Barroso, held at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, was also shrouded in controversy. Romero was declared the winner by a ninth-round knockout, securing the vacant WBA light welterweight title. The bout’s climax was marked by Barroso’s fall to the canvas, shockingly ruled as a knockdown by referee Tony Weeks. The subsequent stoppage of the fight by the referee, despite Barroso fighting back, left onlookers puzzled.
Meanwhile, the undercard fights showcased impressive bouts, with light welterweight Rances Barthelemy (30-2-1, 15 KOs) overcoming Omar Juarez (14-2, 5 KOs) in a ten-round majority decision, proving his continued relevance in the ring. Kenneth Sims Jr. (20-2-1, 7 KOs) rallied to defeat Batyr Akhmedov (9-3, 8 KOs) in a 12-round majority decision. Michael Angeletti (8-0, 7 KOs) dominated the bantamweight category, halting Michell Banquez (20-4, 14 KOs) in the eighth round. And Starling Castillo (18-1-1, 13 KOs) concluded the event by outsmarting the previously unbeaten Esteuri Suero (12-1, 9 KOs) in a ten-round unanimous decision.
Official full card highlights: Watch Prelims on Youtube
Image Credit: DAZN