May 2, 2024

Cherry edges Douglas over ten

By Fightnews.com

2-time world title challenger Edner Cherry (36-7-2, 19 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Omar Douglas (17-2, 12 KOs) in a lightweight clash on Tuesday night at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. An expected slugfest turned into a tactical boxing match and went the full distance. Scores were 98-92, 96-94, 96-94.

Local Super featherweight favorite Frank DeAlba (22-2-2, 9 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczweski (26-3, 8 KOs). Kielczweski seemed to do more but coasted in the last few rounds and came up short in the score card. Scores were 80-72, 77-75, 77-75.

In a clash of unbeaten featherweight prospects, Stephen Fulton (11-0, 5 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over formerly unbeaten Luis Rosario (8-1-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 80-72, 79-73, 78-74.

Former title challenger Edner Cherry (36-7-2, 19 KOs) won a competitive decision over Omar Douglas (17-2, 12 KOS) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays on FS1 and Boxeo De Campeones on FOX Deportes Tuesday night from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

Cherry came out aggressive from the opening bell, landing a strong left hook and backing up Douglas early and often over the first few rounds. Douglas attempted to control the fight with his jab and movement and had some success moving his head to avoid many of the power punches from Cherry.

Douglas did well as he increased his attack to the body in the middle rounds and continued to move backward to avoid the power punches being thrown by Cherry. The differing styles left the judges with a decision to make in weighing the movement and technique of Douglas versus the aggression of Cherry.

In the end, the consistency of Cherry’s attack, who frequently targeted Douglas with combinations to the head, was more effective in the minds of the judges. The final score totals were 98-92 and 96-94 twice for Cherry.

Additional action featured Philadelphia’s Stephen Fulton (11-0, 5 KOs) earning a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Luis Rosario (8-1-1, 7 KOs) in their eight-round super bantamweight contest.

Rosario was the more aggressive fighter in the early rounds, but it was Fulton who timed his opponent first and built up an early lead with a combination of check hooks and power punches. Fulton was patient against the attack-minded Rosario and was able to counter effectively while avoiding Rosario’s power punches.

Fulton continued to have success in the middle rounds as Rosario’s attack slowed, but the Puerto Rican fighter came out with an increased level of aggression in round seven and tagged Fulton during several exciting exchanges.

Despite the increasing pressure, Fulton was able to stay composed and fend off Rosario over the final two rounds on his way to winning a unanimous decision by scores of 78-74, 79-73 and 80-72.

The opening bout of the telecast saw Bethlehem’s Frank DeAlba (22-2-2, 9 KOs) score a unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczweski (26-3, 8 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

The hometown fighter got off to a slow start as Kielczweski appeared to control the early rounds using his movement and tagging the southpaw with right hands. DeAlba began to work on the inside of his opponent and found more success starting in the fourth round.

Once he had closed the distance, DeAlba began to land hooks to the head and smothered much of Kielczweski’s offense. With an increased emphasis on body-punching in the late rounds, DeAlba turned the tide of the fight in the judges’ minds and earned a unanimous decision by scores of 77-75 twice and 80-72.

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