- Boxing over the weekend enjoyed its most significant 24-hour period since being forced to halt operations because of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Three events – in Thailand, England, and the US – all produced headline moments.
- None were as enthralling as Joe George, an unbeaten American who flattened his opponent with an almighty thump on Showtime Championship Boxing’s big return.
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An unbeaten American puncher named Joe George capped a big night for boxing on Saturday as the sport enjoyed its most significant 24-hour period since the novel coronavirus forced a hiatus.
Boxing, like all major sports, shut down in mid-March because of the worsening worldwide spread of COVID-19.
While Top Rank was the first major boxing firm to return, with a summer series behind closed doors at the MGM Grand Conference Center’s “Bubble,” the Las Vegas-based company is now joined by its rivals.
George, 31, came from behind to deliver a knockout-of-the-year contender on the first Premier Boxing Champions event of the COVID-19 era, before Angelo Leo won the WBO super bantamweight title with a decision victory over Tramaine Williams in an event broadcast on Showtime.
Earlier that night, Matchroom Boxing also held its first pandemic-era event - an outdoor show in the grounds of Matchroom HQ in Essex, a garden county east of London.
The former pound-for-pound staple Srisaket Sor Rungvisai kicked off Saturday's showdowns with a 120-pound win over Amnat Ruenroeng, a fight that took place in Thailand and was broadcast on YouTube.
Keep scrolling for photos and video of the action.
Premier Boxing Champions, one of boxing's most powerful companies, returned Saturday with a three-fight card, and Joseph George KO'd Marco Escudero in the ninth round of the opening bout.
George was actually trailing on two of the judges' scorecards, and so the knockout was needed to guarantee victory.
Watch the brutal finish here:
#SHOBoxingReturns with a BANG 💥
Joe George KOs Marcos Escudero with a massive uppercut in Round 9. pic.twitter.com/dVdWogdfwe
— All the Smoke Boxing (@atsboxing) August 2, 2020
"I was setting him up with the jab to the body, I had him leaning over a little," said George. "I was shooting the right uppercut, some landed and some didn't. I wanted him to get comfortable and relaxed … I slipped over and just shot it. It put him down."
In PBC's main event, Angelo Leo of Mayweather Promotions fought Tramaine Williams in a WBO super bantamweight world title match, which Leo won by decision.
Leo was originally scheduled to fight Stephen Fulton Jr. but Fulton tested positive for the coronavirus and was replaced with Williams, who lost on account of Leo's work to the body and seemingly non-stop pressure.
Leo and Williams trading body blows in round 6. #LeoWilliams #SHOBoxingReturns pic.twitter.com/VGJrxpaJqu
— All the Smoke Boxing (@atsboxing) August 2, 2020
Leo landed 248 punches (102 of which were body shots) compared to 196 from Williams, and won with scores of 118-110 (twice) and 117-111.
Leo's performance filled his promoter Leonard Ellerbe with pride.
Woke up in a great mood, so damn proud of Angelo Leo. He kept telling me “I won’t let you and Floyd down” just get me an opportunity.🙌🏾💪🏾
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) August 2, 2020
Earlier, Matchroom Boxing in the UK returned with influential promoter Eddie Hearn's grand vision — boxing in the back-yard of the mansion in which he lived as a child.
Jordan Gill opened the show with a decision win over Reece Bellotti, Dalton Smith KO'd Nathan Bennett, James Tennyson defeated Gavin Gwynne by stoppage, and Fabio Wardley finished Simon Vallily.
The best was saved till last as the main event of Matchroom's "Fight Camp" was a bout to remember, with Ted Cheeseman decisioning Sam Eggington after a gripping final round.
💥ROUND OF THE YEAR?🏆
The final three minutes of @Ted_MRFISHER_ & @eggington_sam🔥
The perfect end to a great fight 🙌
Who's up for more of the same this Friday? 🏘🎆#FightCamp pic.twitter.com/P3ggahKGYf
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) August 3, 2020
There was no expense spared at Matchroom's event, as the production was high on pyrotechnics and pizzazz.
"Fight Camp" was not the only Matchroom-backed event as Saturday began with a show in Thailand, in which battle-hardened but aging veteran Srisaket Sor Rungvisai out-pointed Amnat Ruenroeng in Thailand.
Yes, with Top Rank, Golden Boy Promotions, Premier Boxing Champions, Queensberry Promotions, and Matchroom Boxing now all in business, boxing truly feels back — and back with a bang.
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