Dalton “Thunder” Smith (16-0; 12) won on a fifth-round knockout against three-time world title challenger Jose “Chon” Zepeda (37-5; 28) to claim the vacant WBC junior welterweight silver title on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England.
It was a closely fought encounter until Smith connected with a right hand to the midriff that sent Zepeda down for the count. The time was 1:25.
WBO female welterweight champion Sandy Ryan (7-1-1; 3) hammered former two-division champion Terri Harper 14-2-2; 6 over the first four rounds before the fight was stopped by Harper’s corner after the fourth round.
In a junior welterweight bout Campbell Hatton 14-1, 5 the son of Ricky Hatton, suffered his first defeat when he was outpointed over ten rounds by Jimmy Joe Flint 14-1-2,;3. Flint retained his Central Area title with scores of 98-92, 97-94 and 97-95.
Junior middleweight Ishmael Davis (13-0; 6) won a twelve-round unanimous decision over Troy Williamson (20-3-1; 14) in a final eliminator for the British title. The scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112.
Lenier Pero wins on first-round technical knockout
On Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, unbeaten heavyweight and former Cuban amateur heavyweight standout Lenier Pero (11-0; 8) won on a first-round technical knockout over 6’10 Donnie Palmer (12-4-1; 10) in a scheduled 10 round bout.
Middleweight and top amateur Yoenlis Hernandez (3-0; 3) from Cuba stopped the experienced Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco (23-12; 11) of Argentina in the first round.