Undercard Results from Brooklyn: Barboza Jr. Fizzles, Jimenez Sizzles

Fighters on the undercard of the Haney v. Garcia event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, did their best to impress and win future opportunities while also trying to add value to the pay-per-view event.

Arnold Barboza Jr. Escapes With a Win

With respect to all who get into the ring under the bright lights, the WBO eliminator between Arnold Barboza Jr. of Los Angeles (30-0, 11 KOs) and Sean McComb of Belfast (18-2, 5 KOs) was dreadful to watch. McComb gave Barboza Jr. a difficult target and a tricky problem he couldn’t solve. It seemed he’d done enough to win, and one judge scored the fight 98-92 for the challenger. But the other two scored it 97-93 and 96-95 for Barboza Jr. Sigh, it’s boxing.

The fans filling in the seats before the main event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn made their feelings known, not holding back on the booing and catcalls. Barboza Jr. heard it too after the fight.

“Yeah, you’re booing right now. Shout out to Sean McComb, tough guy, lefty.. He was moving at long range. It was a tough test, I knew he would be tough coming in. The performance wasn’t what I wanted, but next time I’ll do better.”

Bek Bullies Dibombe

In a bout marred by cuts, Bektimir Melikuziev cruised to a decision victory. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Bektimir “Bek The Bully” Melikuziev of Indio, California (14-1, 10 KOs) had to settle for a decision after his bout against Pierre Dibombe of Nances, France (22-1, 12 KOs) was stopped seconds into the eighth round due to a wicked cut. The outcome wasn’t in doubt, as Melikuziev won with scores of 79-73, 79-73, and 78-74.

Melikuziev dished out plenty of trademark body shots and uppercuts, but Dibombe wasn’t going to let his perfect record go without a fight. Trainer Joel Diaz Jr. did what he could to keep the bloody cut under control, but it was deep into the crease above the left eye. No argument with the stoppage.

Pura Vida Boxing: Jimenez Upsets Scrappy

Daniel Jimenez (left) scored the upset victory of the undercard over John “Scrappy” Ramirez. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Daniel Jimenez of Costa Rica (16-1, 11 KOs) came in as the challenger to Golden Boy prospect John “Scrappy” Ramirez of Los Angeles (13-1, 9 KOs). Jimenez refused to follow the script, taking it to Ramirez behind a nonstop offensive effort for 12 rounds. Jimenez gets the unanimous decision as the judges saw it for the right man. Scores were 117-111, 117-111, and 116-112.

As his name was announced as the new WBA Interim Super Flyweight titleholder, Jimenez let out a yell and burst into tears. “I’m a hardworking man from Cartago. I come from nothing. This is the second time I’ve done it (win a title). This is making history for my country,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez was left out of all the pre-fight events, including media workouts and interviews. “They didn’t invite me,” he said. Instead, Jimenez used the time to rest, think about the fight, “and look at the result.”

Jimenez is now a mandatory challenger at both 112 pounds and 115 pounds. “I’m going to see what’s up. I’m ranked number one at 112 in the WBC. Where the money’s at, I’ll be there.”

Charles Conwell Back In Good Form

Charles Conwell looked sharp despite a long layoff, stopping Nathaniel Gallimore. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Watching Charles Conwell of Cleveland (19-0, 14 KOs) blast veteran Nathaniel Gallimore of Chicago via Jamaica (22-8-1, 17 KOs), it was hard to believe the 26-year-old super welterweight had been out of the ring since November 2022. In his first fight newly signed with Golden Boy, Conwell put on an impressive debut. He hit Gallimore with his trademark body shots and came to the fight in excellent condition. After two rounds, Conwell told his corner it was “easy work.”

After five rounds, referee Arthur Mercante Jr. told Gallimore he wouldn’t let him take much more punishment, and he was good to his word, stepping in after a minute into the seventh round. Conwell is right back in the mix at 154 pounds. Stablemate Vergil Ortiz Jr. should take notice.

Early Undercard Winners: Derevyanchenko, Fulghum, Amari Jones

Sergiy Derevyanchenko dropped but couldn't stop the durable Vaughn Alexander. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

In the final fight of the early prelims, Sergiy Dereyanchenko of Ukraine (16-5, 10 KOs) followed up his narrow 2023 Fight of the Year loss with a win over the durable Vaughn Alexander of St. Louis (18-12-1, 11 KOs). Derevyanchenko caught Alexander with a body shot via a left hook to the liver in the eighth round. It seems the fight would be over, but Alexander got to his feet and saw the bout to the final bell.

Darius Fulghum of Houston (11-0, 10 KOs) put in good work, forcing a referee stoppage against Cristian Olivas of Tijuana (23-11, 19 KOs) in their super middleweight bout.

Haney Promotions middleweight prospect Amari Jones of Las Vegas (11-0, 10 KOs) delivered in a step-up fight against Armel Mbumba-Yassa of Germany via Congo (10-2-1, 7 KOs).

Jones scored a knockdown in the sixth round with a slick counter right. Mbumba-Yassa beat the count of referee Arthur Mercante, Jr., but with Jones coming in with the intention of getting the knockout, Mercante didn’t wait long to stop the fight. Jones is trained by Bill Haney and could rise quickly due to a lack of talent at the top in the middleweight division.