Rising Cuban super-middleweight David Morrell was far too accomplished for an overmatched Mike Gavronski, sweeping the Illinois man aside in three rounds at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
The bout had originally been billed for Morrell’s WBA interim 168lbs title though the fight was rescheduled for 10 rounds after the Cuban weighed in at 170lbs. But Morrell still holds onto his crown after a clause in the contract allowed the bout to take place at a 170lbs catchweight at late notice.
With a purported 135-2 amateur record, Morrell (4-0, 3 KOs) is being fast-tracked to the top and the chasm in ability was swiftly evident as he manhandled an out-of-his-depth Gavronski (26-4-1, 16 KOs). The Cuban southpaw, 22, reeled off dangerous left hands and uppercuts before a straight left dropped a faltering Gavronski in the opening session.
Photo: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions.
The American barely survived and somehow negotiated the second as Morrell eased his intensity for three minutes but dominated nonetheless. The ringside physician was called in by referee Jack Reiss in between rounds and Gavronski was given another session to flip the script – as unlikely as that seemed.
Morrell, now based in Minnesota, ended the rout in the third, battering Gavronski from pillar to post and bloodying his nose before rocking the American with a flush right uppercut when referee Reiss stepped in.
Photo: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions.
In the 10-round middleweight co-main event, Mexico’s heavy-handed Juan Macias Montiel (25-4-2, 22 KOs) annihilated former contender James Kirkland (34-3, 30 KOs) in just 116 seconds of the opening round.
The Mexican, nephew of three-weight world champion Fernando Montiel, dropped Kirkland with a left hook to the temple inside 30 seconds and didn’t let the Texan southpaw off the hook. A follow-up volley sent the unsteady Kirkland down again and referee Jerry Cantu seemed to consider calling it off before giving the Texan one final chance. When a right hand dropped Kirkland again, Cantu stepped in.
Photo: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions.
Russian contender Radzhab Butaev (13-0, 10 KOs & 1 NC) marked time before an anticipated shot at WBA Regular 147lbs champion Yordenis Ugas with a third-round blowout of Arkansas’ previously undefeated Terry Chatwood (9-1-1, 5 KOs). A left hook to liver ended matters in the third.
Butaev originally dropped a decision to Alexander Besputin for the WBA Regular crown in Monaco in November 2019, but that result was later voided after his fellow Russian tested positive for a banned substance. He is next in line for Ugas after the Miami-based Cuban won the vacant WBA title in September.
Meanwhile, Arizona southpaw Jesus Ramos (14-0, 13 KOs) blitzed Philadelphia’s Naim Nelson (14-5, 1 KO) in four rounds in their 140lbs confrontation. The bodywork of Ramos set up an overhand left that dropped Nelson in the third and the Philly veteran was down again in the fourth before his corner pulled him out at the end of the session.
Main image and all photos: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions.