Callum Walsh remains unbeaten, survives a knockdown and defeats former world title challenger Carlos Ocampo on points at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
Dana White celebrated his debut as a boxing promoter with the launch of Zuffa Boxing at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas (700 spectators) – with strong backing from Saudi Arabia’s string-puller Turki Alalshikh. In the main fight of the evening, Irish middleweight contender Callum Walsh prevailed over former world title challenger Carlos Ocampo by unanimous decision.
Walsh (16-0, 11 knockouts) controlled large parts of the fight and impressed with clean footwork, precise jabbing and the left jab from the southpaw position. The judges scored the fight 98-90, 97-91 and 98-90, but the 24-year-old still had to overcome a brief scare: In round six, Walsh went down after an exchange of punches when his glove touched the ring floor. Referee Allen Huggins counted and Walsh, visibly embarrassed, took the standing eight count.
Ocampo (38-4, 26 knockouts) was unable to capitalize on the knockdown and even earned a point deduction in round nine after a low blow. Walsh looked for a decision in the tenth and final round, landing several hard lefts, but Ocampo’s chin held. Walsh eased off a little in the second half of the fight, but remained clearly the better man. No fireworks, but a solid statement win for a boxer who White and Zuffa are building up as a future star.
Undercard highlights
In the welterweight division, Julian Rodriguez inflicted the first defeat of his professional career on Cain Sandoval. Rodriguez (25-1, 15 knockouts) dominated over ten rounds and won clearly on points (99-91, 98-92, 99-91). Sandoval (17-1, 15 knockouts) came with a four-round knockout streak, but was beaten this time.
At featherweight, Omar Cande Trinidad (20-0-2, 14 knockouts) scored early knockdowns and stopped Max Ornelas (17-3-1, 6 knockouts) via TKO in round ten. In addition, middleweight Misael Rodriguez Olivas (16-0, 8 knockouts) remained unblemished as Austin Deanda (17-1, 11 knockouts) remained on the stool after round three – submission to start round four.