With pay-per-view cards on both sides of The Atlantic, this past weekend served up more than its fair share of action, upsets and and excitement.
We pick the best out of the weekend’s boxing with our inaugural Weekend Awards…
Fight of the Week: Katie Taylor UD Natasha Jonas
Undisputed lightweight queen Katie Taylor and ‘Miss Team GB’ Natasha Jonas renewed their amateur rivalry, with the Taylor taking a hard fought unanimous decision after ten rounds of pulsating action on the Chisora-Parker undercard.
Despite a spirited effort from Jonas, the snappy combination punching – and strong finish – of Taylor saw the Irish star pip her to the post in an action-packed, back-and-forth affair.
A brilliant fight, and another wonderful advertisement for women’s boxing.
Upset of the Week: Jovanni Straffon TKO1 James Tennyson
Jovanni Staffron continued the recent trend of upsets involving Mexican fighters with a destructive first round TKO of Belfast banger James Tennyson on the Chisora-Parker undercard.
Entering the contest with a modest record of 23-3-1 (16 KOs), Straffon flew out of the blocks, hurting Tennyson early in the first round before bringing a swift end to proceedings at 2:10 of the opener.
With the Mexico City man hovering around 10/1 to win outright, he joins countrymen Mauricio Lara and Gabriel Valenzuela in recording shock stoppage wins over British fighters on home soil.
Knockout of the Week: Erislandy Lara KO1 Thomas LaManna
Two-time super-welterweight champion Erislandy Lara delivered a crushing one-punch KO of the overmatched Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna on the Ruiz-Arreola undercard to pick up the WBA Regular middleweight title.
The Cuban maestro took little time in establishing himself in the fight, walking LaManna on to a beautifully timed southpaw left hand, dropping him heavily, with the referee waving off the count immediately.
A blistering knockout win for Lara, who now sets his sights on the rest of the 160lbs division.
Fighter of the Week: Sunny Edwards UD Moruti Mthalane
Britain’s Sunny Edwards entered the ring on Friday night against IBF flyweight king Moruti Mthalane needing to produce the performance of his life to unseat the long-time divisional ruler.
Edwards would rise to the occasion; producing a punch-perfect display, gliding around the York Hall ring en route to a masterful unanimous decision victory.
In capturing world title glory, Edwards joins brother Charlie – himself a former WBC flyweight champion – in achieving a lifelong dream. A stunning, breakout victory for the 25-year-old.