- Davis (30-0, 28 KO) defends lightweight title in Brooklyn
- Will the face of American boxing ever put it on the line?
- Bluesky Bryan at @BryanAGraham or email him
Some undercard bouts of note as Barclays Center continues to fill up. Cuban rising star Yoenis Tellez improved to 10-0 with seven knockouts after dominating former unified champ Julian Williams in 12-round unanimous decision by scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111. Tellez, 24, pressed forward relentlessly, wearing down Williams with sharp right hands and uppercuts. Williams, a Philadelphian now 2-4 since his 2019 upset of Jarrett Hurd, struggled to keep up but showed remarkable courage in making it to the final bell. With the win, Tellez claimed the WBA’s interim super welterweight title, solidifying his place as a serious contender in the 154lb division. Meanwhile, Williams’ future in the sport remains uncertain after another tough loss.
Before that, Hurd’s career ended in brutal fashion as Johan Gonzalez battered him with overhand rights en route to a split-decision victory by scores of 98-92, 96-94, and 94-96. Hurd, struggling to evade punches, showed heart but couldn’t turn the tide. The 34-year-old made a final push in the ninth but faded late and was nearly stopped in the 10th. Afterward, Hurd announced his retirement, closing a 12-year career that saw him unify junior middleweight titles with wins over Tony Harrison and Erislandy Lara. For Gonzalez, it was a career-best victory, bouncing back from a stoppage loss last October.