In a war for the ages, Jose Zepeda rose from the canvas four times to KO former IBF 140lbs champion Ivan Baranchyk in the fifth round of a thrilling, eight knockdown shootout at the ‘bubble’ in the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Saturday night.
A mere 28 seconds after being dropped for the fourth occasion, southpaw Zepeda chillingly ended the drama with a brutal left hand that kept Baranchyk motionless for several minutes. Thankfully, the Belarussion recovered and was later taken to hospital for observation.
The very best fights are defined by improbable momentum swings and this breathtaking war had them in abundance. Ultimately, former world title challenger Zepeda illustrated phenomenal heart to trade with and then take out the heavy-handed Baranchyk in a highlight reel finish.
In an electric start, Baranchyk (20-2, 13 KOs) dropped Zepeda twice with right hands in the opening round. Zepeda appeared to floor Baranchyk with a short left at the end of the first but referee Kenny Bayless ruled no knockdown.
The duo traded knockdowns in the second. Zepeda floored Baranchyk with a left hand and tore away carelessly in search of the knockout, only to be floored a third time with a right hand counter.
The slick Zepeda (33-2, 26 KOs and 2 NCs) blasted back with knockdowns in the third and fourth with his incisive left hand.
Incredibly, Baranchyk scored his fourth knockdown in the fifth with a right hand (with referee Bayless correctly ruling a knockdown after Zepeda was kept up by the ropes) before the Californian stunningly closed the show shortly afterwards.
“I feel great because I won the fight. It was a hard fight, and I’m thinking, ‘Man, boxing is hard. It’s no easy game.’ Boxing, it’s tough, and you have to give it 100 percent because it’s a hard sport,” said Zepeda, following his momentous victory.
“Both of us are climbing up and somebody had to stay. I was able to win the fight and I told him, ‘Thanks for the fight. It was a great fight.’ I know I’m tough. I didn’t know how tough I was. Tonight, I showed myself, too. I’ve never been in a fight like this. It was a great learning experience.”
In other action, Californian hope Gabriel Flores Jr. (19-0, 6 KOs) appeared to be buzzed by a left hook in the opening round before outclassing the tough Ryan Kielczweski (30-5, 11 KOs) on the cards in the lightweight co-feature. Scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92.
Heavyweight prospect Guido Vianello (7-0-1, 7 KOs) rallied to win the last round on all three judges’ cards and rescue a draw against unsung Kingsley Ibeh (5-1-1, 4 KOs). Ibeh hurt Vianello early in a crisp start and cut the Italian before Vianello’s late surge saved his unbeaten record. Scores were 59-55 (Ibeh) and 57-57 (twice).
Main image and all photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank.