The first televised fight of the night was between Edner Cherry (32-6-2) and late replacementOsumanu Akaba (24-6) in the junior lightweight division. Cherry was originally scheduled to faceJerry Belmontes, but Belmontes had to pull out of the fight when he injured his right wrist while training and Akaba stepped in on short notice to face the tough veteran.
Akaba was a southpaw and both boxers landed check lead hooks as their first punches in the first round. Akaba was a little sloppy with his combinations, but neither fighter was able to land much and spent most of the first round feeling each other out.
Cherry came out aggressive in the second round and exchanged with reckless abandon with Akaba by the ropes. Both boxers landed, but it was Cherry who followed up with a right hook that sent Akaba down to the mat. Akaba was able to get back to his feet, but appeared to still be stunned and was sent back to the mat with a left hook. He again got back up, but was sent to the mat for the third time in the round from a combination which forced the referee to immediately wave off the bout.
Edner Cherry won by TKO at 2:15 of the second round.
Cherry, who has spent most of his career fighting in the lightweight division, stated that he hoped to fight whoever thinks they are the best in junior lightweight division and that he feels extremely comfortable at this weight.
Akaba was a southpaw and both boxers landed check lead hooks as their first punches in the first round. Akaba was a little sloppy with his combinations, but neither fighter was able to land much and spent most of the first round feeling each other out.
Cherry came out aggressive in the second round and exchanged with reckless abandon with Akaba by the ropes. Both boxers landed, but it was Cherry who followed up with a right hook that sent Akaba down to the mat. Akaba was able to get back to his feet, but appeared to still be stunned and was sent back to the mat with a left hook. He again got back up, but was sent to the mat for the third time in the round from a combination which forced the referee to immediately wave off the bout.
Edner Cherry won by TKO at 2:15 of the second round.
Cherry, who has spent most of his career fighting in the lightweight division, stated that he hoped to fight whoever thinks they are the best in junior lightweight division and that he feels extremely comfortable at this weight.