By Robert Soucy ringside
Demetrius Andrade TKO7 Brian Rose
In Demetrius Andrade’s first defense of his WBO junior middleweight world championship, the Providence, RI native didn’t disappoint. About halfway through round one Andrade landed a straight left hand that dropped Brian Rose.
It was apparent very early that the bout was showcase for Andrade and his potential to be one of the best fighters in the world. Andrade landed a big right hook on Rose’ temple that put the challenger on the canvas for the second time.
Through four rounds it was clear that Rose was overmatched, and the only thing in question would be whether or not Andrade would step on the gas and try to get Rose out of there.
There was a lull in the middle rounds as Andrade seem to be content with pot shotting and not sitting down on his punches like he did early in the fight. In round seven Andrade did what he was expected to do. He hurt Rose early in the round with blistering combination punching and didn’t let up.
Andrade pummeled Rose around the ring with straight left hands and uppercuts opening a gash on the bridge of his nose. The Rose corner threw in the towel and Andrade improved to 21-0 (14 KO’s), retaining his WBO world title. Rose, who was game but overmatched, dropped to 25-2-1 (7 KO’s).
Andrade should now be in line for a big showdown with any of the name fighters in the division.
Chris Algieri SD Ruslan Provodnikov 114-112, 109-117, 114-112
Unheralded Chris Algieri from nearby Huntington, NY shocked the boxing world with a come from behind victory over Ruslan Provodnikov.
“The Siberian Rocky” stalked Algeiri and caught up with him about halfway through the first round with a left hook on the chin that sent the challenger tumbling on the canvas. Algieri still hurt would take a knee later in the round and would have to dig out of a big hole.
After a horrible first round Chis Algieri began to box effectively and landed several clean shots to win the second round.
In the third, Algieri was rocked early but came back to out box Provodnikov in a very close round. Algieri landed a hard straight right hand that was his best punch of the fight.
In the fourth round Provonikov was able to walk Algieri down again and landed the more meaningful punches as he began to close Algieri’s right eye that had begun to swell in the first round.
Provodnikov’s seek and destroy style began to force a momentum swing in round seven as Algieri’s eye was in bad shape.
Algieri was showing tremendous heart and after eight rounds he was shockingly back in the fight. Algieri was able to punch and land all night while moving laterally which was very impressive.
Going into round ten Provodnikov was probably ahead thanks to a ten to seven round but Algieri was winning the respect of boxing fans all over the world.
After the 11th round Algieri’s right eye was completely closed.
Provodnikov started fast in the 12th as Algieri was a one eyed fighter. Algieri didn’t do much in the final round but neither did Provodnikov.
With the win Algieri improved to 20-0 (9KO’s) and has earned a bigger fight and nice payday which will possibly come in a rematch with Provodnikov.
