Anthony Crolla vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko

The Ukranian Vasiliy “No Mas” Lomachenko successfully defended his WBA and WBO World Titles with a fourth round knockout of Englishman Anthony Crolla in front of thousands at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Friday, April 12th, 2019. Both boxers wore gold colors on their trunks as acknowledgement of fighting in the home of the Los Angeles Lakers; Lomachenko complemented the gold with purple while Crolla wore black.

The first round was uneventful except for the “Loma!” chants. The “Loma!” chants continued into the second round as if the crowd was requesting more action. Lomachenko won the round with his crisp punch combinations. Yet, it seemed both fighters were measuring and timing their opponent. In the third round, both fighters became more mobile. The champion Lomachenko appeared better at calculating distance and timing. His precision showed as he landed more punches and attacked.

Lomachenko more clearly asserted his dominance over Crolla as the third round progressed. Lomachenko assaulted Crolla and at one point pinned him on the ropes with constant combinations. Lomachenko knocked him so far back into the ropes that the referee Jack Reiss called a standing technical knockdown against Crolla. Lomachenko believed Jack Reiss stopped the fight and jumped on the ropes and raised his arms to celebrate. Lomachenko was wrong and the fight went on to the fourth round.

In the fourth, Lomachenko attacked Crolla with a barrage of punches. And after a series of combinations, a right hook put Crolla down for good. It would be several minutes later when Crolla would be able to get back up. Lomachenko came to Los Angeles to prove once again that he should be considered one of the best active boxers.

Tommy Karpency vs. Gilberto Ramirez

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez of Mazatlan, Mexico defeated the American Tommy Karpency by knocking him out at 3:00 of the fourth round of their Light Heavyweight match. The first round began with constant jabbing by Ramirez. The second round again began with Ramirez attacking but Karpency responded with a solid combination at 1:45. Karpency’s face appeared bloody when the bell signaled the end of the round. And in the third, Ramirez was again the more active boxer. He expended energy by throwing more punches. “Zurdo!” chants from the Los Angeles crowd soon followed the success Ramirez was having against his opponent. Then a hard right by Ramirez knocked Karpency back with 0:22 remaining in the third round.

The fourth round began with a hard right from Ramirez to the face of Karpency. Karpency appeared to have lost confidence as he continued to absorb punches. And Karpency appeared to be fighting as if he was waiting for something to occur; but, it was something that had very little chance of materializing. In the end, Karpency could not come out after the fourth round and the fight was over.

Mike Alvarado vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.

Arnold Barboza Jr. of El Monte, California defeated Mike Alvarado of Denver, Colorado with a third round knockout for the NABF Junior Title. From the second round, Alvarado appeared flatfooted while Barboza kept coming in straight as he attacked. Barboza continued attacking by bringing his left hook over the top. That second round was an onslaught of power punches by Barboza.

In the third round, Barboza kept his distance with jabs and footwork. He punched constantly and began a particular combination with a right uppercut. He followed that with a straight right that buckled Alvarado’s knees. Next, Barboza came with a left hook that put Alvarado on his knees. Alvarado stumbled in an attempt to get back up. He grabbed for the nearby ropes but failed to get back on his feet. The fight was over at 0:49 in the third round because of an impressive combination by Barboza.