DAZN’s latest USA offering hit the MGM National Harbor in Maryland, with fast rising Lightweight star, Devin Haney the headliner. The original main event was scheduled to be Oleksandr Usyk’s first foray into Heavyweight waters, but the Ukrainian was forced to postpone due to injury. Las Vegas resident, Haney proved he has destructive punching power by wiping out Antonio Moran in seven rounds to retain his WBC International, and WBO Intercontinental belts. Moran had began the contest in the ascendancy, but it didn’t take Haney too long to gain the upper hand, constantly beating Antonio to the punch. 20 year old Haney dropped his Mexican opponent in the fifth round with a powerful body shot, but the finisher was a highlight reel knockout.
It was a stunning overhand right thrown from the waist that detonated onto Moran’s chin. No count was needed as Moran was wiped out by the devastating blow. Moran now hopes big things are on the horizon for him, and he is firmly on course for World Title opportunities in 2019. There was still plenty of Heavyweight action for the paying customer in Maryland. Michael Hunter continues to make noise in the division, since moving from Cruiserweight in April 2016. His only career loss remains a wide points loss in a challenge for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO belt, and he is now five unbeaten at Heavyweight following a second round stoppage win against Fabio Maldonado.
The first round saw Hunter attempt to pierce the Brazilians tight guard, and the breakthrough came one round later. Maldonado was stunned with a big uppercut that forced him to take a standing count. Chopping hooks sent Fabio down again, and although he survived again, The Sao Paulo man was stopped for the first time, when more blows forced him to turn his back on the action, giving the referee the perfect opportunity to stop the fight.
Hunter retained his WBA International Title, and expressed a wish to meet Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in the near future. Precocious former amateur standout, Filip Hrgovic also impressed on the bill, as he blasted out Gregory Corbin in just over a minute to keep his WBC International Heavyweight Title.
The Croatian connected with a right hand as Corbin rushed at him in the first round, which floored the American. Corbin beat the count, but, with him on unsteady legs, the fight was waved off. In the female ranks, former Katie Taylor victim, Jessica McCaskill added the WBA Super Lightweight Title to her WBC belt, with a comfortable points win against the tough Argentine, Anahi Esther Sanchez
