Fox Theater Pomona, Pomona, California, USA. In the main event of the show in the WBC eliminator in the second bantamweight limit (up to 55.3 kg), the conqueror of two divisions Mexican Luis Neri (34-1, 26 KOs) and ex-challenger Azat Hovhannisyan (21-4, 17 KOs) from Armenia met .
The left-handed Mexican started the fight nervously and even ended up on the floor (not a knockdown, just slipped). But then he shot: he worked towards, combined.
Just the 1st round and Nery is being very aggressive with his flurry of punches.
How do you see this fight playing out??#NeryHovhannisyan | LIVE on @daznboxing pic.twitter.com/WYrqLLROeA— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) February 19, 2023
In the 2nd round, Nery decided to give the initiative to his opponent, tried to counter, moved a lot. Hovhannisyan did not like such a fight – he invited him to cut himself in the middle. The Mexican tried, but he picked up blows. Fun start!
ALL ACTION THROUGH 2 ROUNDS
watch #NeryHovhannisyan on https://t.co/FoiaUucI53 pic.twitter.com/7ScEAptzqY
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 19, 2023
Neri sometimes “turns on Mayweather”, but his protection with shoulder rolls is not at a very high level. And when he gives free rein to his fists, he looks more confident – he hit the underdog in the 3rd round.
Hell swing in the 4th round! Neri gave up the initiative, missed too much and even started cycling. Hovhannisyan decided that it was time to finish off, recklessly rushed at the opponent and missed an unpleasant oncoming one. The fighter from Armenia got a little carried away. The underdog picked up even more in the 5th round.
HOW IS AZAT HOVHANNISYAN STILL STANDING #NeryHOvhannisyan pic.twitter.com/QFt7QSsNQp
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 19, 2023
In general, Neri is much more effective. Hovhannisyan, on the other hand, holds on only due to his efficiency – he throws out a lot more punches. Azat slowed down towards the equator, the workrate fell. Hovhannisyan’s entire face is covered in bruises, abrasions and hematomas. What a hell of an exchange in the 6th round! But the ending of the three-minute Neri decided to take a bike. The underdog was passively pressing.
A FULL ON WAR AT FOX THEATER!!!
ONLY ON @DAZNBoxing #NeryHovhannisyan | LIVE on @daznboxing @Foxtheater pic.twitter.com/50FIy1G9o6
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) February 19, 2023
Neri might be tired. It’s hard for him to work at this pace. Hovhannisyan again began to process the opponent. The Mexican was forced to take a slugfest in the 9th round. It was ultra brutal!
Explosive end to the 9th round #NeryHovhannisyan pic.twitter.com/s6vTATT3iJ
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 19, 2023
Body blows from a boxer from Armenia bore fruit. But, carried away by the attack, in the 10th round, Hovhannisyan missed a left counterhook, staggered, fell onto the ropes. Neri rushed to finish off, and Azat fell.
LUIS NERY KNOCKS DOWN CRAZY A #NeryHovhannisyan pic.twitter.com/JvL2356CP3
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 19, 2023
Underdog tried to seize the initiative. Neri waited out the opponent’s attack behind the block, and when he answered, Azat staggered again. The referee stepped in and stopped the fight. Cool swinger. Just incredible.
Neri TKO 11.
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