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Boxing
Top five fights in May shown on DAZN
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Boxing action has been non-stop since the turn of the year, with plenty of cards producing memorable fights.
With over 180 fight nights shown live on DAZN every year, boxing fans have been able to catch some spectacular brawls this month. Whilst it is hard to boil down all the bouts to highlight the best, here are the top five contests shown live on DAZN this month - in no particular order.
Honourable mention: Teofimo Lopez W-UD Arnold Barboza Jr 02/05
Golden Boy / Cris Esqueda
On paper, the first weekend of May was filled with tasty matchups. Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney were both making their returns to action after the two shared a ring in April 2024, whilst Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez was looking to unify all four titles at super middleweight against William Scull.
Garcia had won that contest, only for the result to be annulled after ‘King Ry’ failed a drugs test. Garcia would take on Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, whilst Haney faced Jose Ramirez. Although they were fighting other men rather than each other, much of the build-up saw Haney and Garcia swap barbs.
Both perhaps should have focused on their fights, with Haney producing a subdued and cautious performance against Ramirez, whilst Garcia was shocked by Romero.
Teofimo Lopez had joined in with trading verbal jabs with Garcia and Haney, but his performance lived up to the hype of boxing at Times Square.
Arguably facing the toughest opponent in the form of previously unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr, Lopez defended his WBO super lightweight title in controlling fashion, showing his contemporaries how it was done.
Barboza himself did not back away from the challenge, but despite his spirited display, he was outclassed by the better boxer.
Eduardo Nunez W-UD Masanori Rikiishi 28/05
The IBF super featherweight title fight between Eduardo Nunez and Masanori Rikiishi out in Japan might have slipped some western boxing fans by; the bout being staged at 10am on a Wednesday in the UK.
Those that did catch the full fight would have been impressed by the efforts of both men. A stronger start from Rikiishi faded as Mexican Nunez demonstrated how all 27 of his wins had previously came via knockout.
Despite Nunez showcasing his punching power, Rikiishi revealed a strong chin and a willingness to continue despite chasing a lost cause. The Japanese fighter would often gain a second wind during rounds, unloading a series of eye-catching punches that asked questions of Nunez.
Ultimately, Nunez was a clear winner, the judges agreeing by giving ‘Sugar’ a unanimous decision victory. Aside from becoming the second man to go the distance with Nunez, Rikiishi showcased why he should be heavily regarded in the super featherweight division.
Anthony Cacace W-TKO Leigh Wood 10/05
Anthony Cacace’s decision to eschew world title defences for his IBF belt and instead set up lucrative bouts has produced a beneficial side effect for boxing fans – an enthralling spectacle.
The Irishman rocked up in Leigh Wood’s backyard of Nottingham as slight favourite against a hometown hero known for his ability to sustain heavy damage before finding a knockout punch.
Cacace certainly dealt out damage, and whilst he was clearly on top, the judges’ scorecards heading into the ninth meant the result could have gone either way if the bout went the full distance.
But the IBO super-featherweight champion was unrelenting in the ninth round, causing Wood’s corner to throw in the towel with their fighter blitzed and dazed.
Dave Allen W-TKO Johnny Fisher 17/05
(Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
Another headlining fight on DAZN saw a towel thrown – although it was arguably unnecessary, with Dave Allen’s final punch on Johnny Fisher sending his opponent to the canvas and causing the referee to step in.
Nowhere near a grudge match based on the respect shared between the two heavyweights, the rematch had been made after Fisher controversially beat Allen out in Saudi Arabia towards the end of last year.
The second bout shared similarities with the first, Fisher outpointing Allen, who was content to land the more damaging punches.
In the original match-up, the bout turned on a fifth-round knockdown, and once again Allen sent his opponent onto the floor. He kept the pressure on as the round came to an end, securing the 19th knockout out of his career and converting an arena full of Fisher fans into Allen supporters.
Lewis Sylvester W-SD Reece Mould 23/05
Reece Mould and Lewis Sylvester are far from household names, but the two combined to produce a pulsating contest on the undercard of Terri Harper’s successful WBO lightweight title defence against Natalie Zimmermann.
It was a Yorkshire derby at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power Stadium, Mould fighting in his hometown with Sylvester the visitor from Hull.
27-year-old Sylvester let off a flurry of punches towards the end of the third round, setting a tone for both fighters to finish each three-minute spell with an increased output.
In the seventh, both boxers had cuts to their faces, exemplifying the brawl they had found themselves in. Both unloaded a volley of blows to finish that round, again highlighting each’s desire to get over the line with a win.
There was very little to split the pair as the fight went the full distance of 10 rounds; Sylvester convincing two judges 96-94, 97-93 to take a split decision over Mould.
Aloys Junior W-TKO David Jamieson 24/05
The undercard of Taylor-Essuman produced eight stoppages from 11 bouts, with some stunning knockouts. Moses Itauma made light work of Mike Balogun with a second-round stoppage, feats matched by Luke McCormack and Reese Lynch against Samir Cuentas and Jonatas de Olivieira respectively.
Aston Brown went one better with a first-round knockout of Reece Porter. Despite Aloys Junior taking three rounds to dispatch cruiserweight rival David Jamieson, their fight was arguably the most brutal of the evening.
Having already sent his opponent to the canvas in each of the opening two rounds, a swinging left hook in the third ended the contest and cemented Junior’s position as a rising star in the 200lbs division.
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