NewhouseSports SMC: HBO Boxing After Dark brings Hard Hitting Action to Central New York

HBO Boxing After Dark at Turning Stone (c) Jose Cuevas 2017

Photos and Story by Jose Cuevas

Verona, N.Y. -- HBO Boxing after Dark returned to the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Central New York on Saturday October 21.

There were several fights on the card including one fight that was televised to the live crowd from across the pond in Belfast Ireland.

There were a total of nine fights in the card.

Results

Here is the fight card with the result of each bout:

Preliminary Bouts:
Michael Dutchover (5-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout defeated Anthony De Jesus (2-3, 2 KOs) via TKO
Superfeatherweights in a six-round bout. Ruben Villa (7-0, 4 KOs) defeated German Meraz (54-44-1 34 KOs) via unanimous decision

Super Lightweights in a six-round bout Luis Feliciano (3-0) defeated Istvan Dernanecz (10-6, 7 KOs) via TKO in the second round.

Middleweights in a four-round bout Alex Rincon (2-0, 2 KOs) defeated Steven Andrade (3-2, 2 KOs) via TKO in the second round.
Light Heavyweights in a ten-round bout D'Mitrius Ballard (17-0, 12 KOs) defeated Jaime Solorio (9-3-2, 6 KOs) via unanimous decision
Lightweights in a ten-round bout Lamont Roach (14-0, 5 KOs) defeated Luis Hinojosa (20-12, 17 KOs) via TKO (doctor stoppage due to injury) in the first round
Middleweights in a twelve-round bout Demetrius Andrade (24-0, 16 KOs) defeated Alantez Fox (23-0-1, 11 KOs) via unanimous decision
Super Featherweights in a twelve-round bout Alberto Machado (18-0, 15 KOs) defeated Jezreel Corrales (22-1, 8 KOs) for the WBA Super Featherweight Title via KO in the eighth round

*Jezreel Corrales was stripped of the WBA belt after being four pounds over the 130 pound limit.

Notable Fights

Ruben Villa versus German Meraz

With a record of (54-44-1) Meraz is what many consider a journeyman; he's a tough guy who will probably never reach the highest echelon of boxing. However, Meraz celebrated an accomplishment on Saturday that not many fighters can claim. Saturday was his 100th professional bout. Villa won a comfortable unanimous decision against Meraz, but the accomplishment is still an impressive one.

D'Mitrius Ballard versus Jaime Solorio

In Boxing it is customary for prospects to face journeymen in their first couple of pro fights. This is to see if they are the real deal and to prepare them for bigger fights that come down the road. D'Mitrius "Big Meech" Ballard was the prospect heading into this fight and Solorio was the rugged journeyman to test him. And did he test him.

Ballard was on his back foot through many of the rounds as Solorio would not stop coming forward. Ballard countered Solorio's aggression with effective counterpunches and potshots.

The formula remained the same for Ballard, but Solorio made it very tough for him, consistently pushing Ballard to the ropes and landing some solid hard punches.

What separates journeymen from elite fighters is their technique. That is what got Ballard through this fight. He waited patiently to counter and land effective punches. He read Solorio's fight patterns and exploited them when he saw an opening. The fight was not easy as Solorio would not quit and gave Ballard all he had. Ultimately Ballard won via unanimous decision.

Lamont Roach Jr. versus Luis Hinojosa

Roach Jr.'s trainer recently died and he dedicated the fight to him and went out looking for a decisive and memorable victory. It was memorable not for a titillating knockout, but a bizarre injury to Hinojosa's foot.

“A win is a win, but honestly I wanted this fight to end with him on the floor with a body punch or feeling his head swirl because I clipped him in the chin,” Roach, Jr. said after the fight. “This week, my team has gone from hell and back after losing my cousin, trainer, and mentor, Coach Roach. This win is a symbolism of the victories that await us because of the hard work put in by him.”

Demetrius Andrade versus Alantez Fox

The undefeated Andrade, who came to the ring wearing a wolf mask, was making his Middleweight debut after campaigning at the Junior Middleweight division. His first test was Alantez Fox who at Middleweight has an unusually tall frame of 6'4".

The two exchanged heavy blows from round one. Andrade was consistently landing the harder and cleaner punches on Fox. You could see sweat fly from the ferocity of the punches.

In the seventh round Fox landed a straight right hand that sent Andrade down. Andrade used his footwork to regain his composure and finish the round strong.

Andrade had a fire lit under him and attacked Fox with more ferocity as the fight went into the final stretch.

Fox continued to come forward and try and pressure Andrade, but Andrade's footwork and counters were too much for Fox.

Andrade was declared the victor by unanimous decision.

Jezreel Corrales versus Alberto Machado

Corrales was stripped of his WBA crown earlier due to him failing to make weight. Some wondered whether the weight advantage would help him against the tough and gritty Machado. The Turning Stone Resort and Casino was loud for the main event as many Puerto Ricans came to support Machado in his quest for his first world title.

Corrales came out swinging as is is style. Machado took his punches well, but from round one it was destined to be a slugfest as both men kept coming forward.

Corrales drew first blood as he landed a flush left hook on Machado's chin. The punch short-circuited his nervous system and took him down to the mat.

Machado came back and used his footwork to buy some time until he fully regained his composure. The fight then quickly turned into a wrestling match as Corrales took down Machado with a tackle.

The two began exchanging insults with one another in the ring. They plainly did not like each other one bit and were more determined to knock the other fighter out. Machado began timing Corrales' aggression and started his comeback. In the eighth round lightning struck as Machado landed a thunderous right hook on Coralles' temple.