Super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell was triumphant in his return to SHOWTIME, registering a near-shutout 12-round decision over Derek Edwards, scored 119-109, 120-108, 119-107.
The switch-hitting Dirrell fought entirely from the southpaw stance and dominated the bout from the opening bell, landing lefts and combinations with ease while breaking down Edwards and maintaining his distance. Dirrell (24-1, 16 KOs) landed 46 percent of his power punches compared to Edwards’ 19 percent. Edwards (27-4-1, 14 KOs) only managed to land one jab through the entire 12 rounds.
“I want to perfect my craft as far as fighting southpaw,” Dirrell said. “I was shooting the left hand. This guy has a tough, tough head so I’m not going to doubt my power one bit. I’m glad to walk away with a victory. My knuckle was hurting but it wasn’t bad enough that I couldn’t throw it. This boy could take a punch.
“I’m getting there. I’m proud of my performance, but it was a tough 12 rounds.”
Dirrell, who advanced to the No. 2 spot in the IBF super middleweight standings, was asked after the fight by SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray if he’d like to avenge his lone loss to IBF 168-pound champ Carl Froch.
“I believe he’s scared to fight me,” Dirrell said. “It’s too risky a fight to take. But I’m going to push it to the best of my ability. There’s a win on his record that’s questionable to everyone in the world. Give me the rematch. Prove to your fans that you beat me and try to do it again. Step in the ring with Andre Dirrell and you’re going to see what I’m all about.”
In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev kept his perfect record intact with his seventh knockout in his seventh professional bout, finishing previously unbeaten Jeff Page Jr. at 2:21 of the second round.
Page (15-1, 10 KOs) surprised Beterbiev in the first, knocking down the former Russian amateur champion for the first time in his career. But Beterbiev (7-0, 7 KOs) stormed back in the second, roughed Page up in the inside and floored the Kansas native. Page beat the count but was dazed and Beterbiev finished him with a lead right hand that sent Page face-forward to the canvas.
“I felt a bit sleepy before the fight and I don’t think I was concentrating for a fraction of a second (in the first round),” Beterbiev said. “I got angry after the knockdown and decided to go forward. I have a lot to learn in professional boxing, but I’m looking forward to the experience.”
When asked if he thinks he could beat WBO/WBA/IBF Champion Sergey Kovalev, who he defeated as an amateur, Beterbiev was noncommittal.
“I beat him (Kovalev) as an amateur so I can’t say much,” Beterbiev said. “It’s hard to say right now.”
