Welterweight Thomas Dulorme and junior middleweight Jonathan Gonzalez remained undefeated with impressive victories Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME®.
In the main event, Dulorme (14-0, 11 KOs), of Carolina, Puerto Rico, captured the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight title with a devastating 2:12, first-round knockout over late substitute Aris Ambriz (16-3-1, 8 KOs) of Azusa, Calif. Gonzalez (15-0, 13 KOs), of San Juan, P.R., opened the telecast with a solid, hard-fought unanimous 10-round decision over Billy Lyell (24-11-2, 5 KOs), of Youngstown, Ohio, at Chumash Casino Resort.
Dulorme mostly overwhelmed Ambriz, twice knocking him down, the first time with a powerful left hook. A wobbly Ambriz, who took the fight on one week’s notice after Jose Reynoso withdrew with an injury, made it to his feet, but moments after absorbing a couple more solid shots, went down from a right hand that left him out and flat on his back.
“I was prepared physically and mentally to go 10 rounds and I didn’t come in looking for a knockout, so for it to end in the first round was a present for me,’’ said Dulorme, who’s ranked in the top 10 by both the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC).
“I’ll be back in the gym on Monday trying to learn more. That’s what I do best. Every time I step in the gym it’s all about learning.
Gonzalez, more workmanlike than spectacular, won a solid fight with continual two-way action by the scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice. There were no knockdowns.
“I’m happy with the result and the way this fight went,’’ said Gonzalez, who is ranked by three of the four boxing organizations and was making his first start in eight months. “I expected a hard fight and I trained for a tough guy who had fought a lot of good punchers who couldn’t knock him out. We knew he was a worthy opponent.
“Lyell was tough but it was clear that I won. I felt I was in control and that I hurt him a couple times. I had a few rounds where I allowed a couple flurries, but they always hit the gloves and I was never hurt. I hope to get back into the ring again soon.’’
Lyell, who comes to win, always gives his best and had his Youngstown buddy, former world champion Kelly Pavlik in his corner for introductions, had no complaints with the decision, or the scoring.
“He won, probably seven rounds to three, so I have nothing to gripe about,’’ Lyell said. “My plan was to go in and back him up, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t believe how strong he was.’’
ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood, who called the doubleheader alongside blow-by-blow announcer, Al Bernstein was impressed with both 22-year-old winners.
“Dulorme has it all as a prospect,’’ Farhood said. “He has a pleasing personality, good looks, and when he scores a knockout his opponent is left flat on the canvas, and that separates him from the pack. He’s as exciting a prospect as we’ve seen on ShoBox in quite a while.’’
Speaking of Gonzalez, Farhood said, “the difference in this fight was clearly Gonzalez’ obvious advantages in size and strength. The fact his fight went the distance is in no way a negative because of the quality of opponent he was in with.’’
