Lenier Pero wins on points against Jordan Thompson – Cruiserweight talent Pat Brown causes a stir in Orlando with a knockout.
The unbeaten Cuban heavyweight Lenier Pero remains on the road to success. On Sunday night, the 31-year-old secured a unanimous points victory over England’s Jordan Thompson at the Caribe Royale Orlando (Florida) to win the WBA Continental title.
Pero (13-0, 8 knockouts) showed his boxing class over long stretches of the fight and clearly controlled the first rounds with precise combinations and effective footwork. Thompson (15-2, 12 knockouts), who was competing at heavyweight for the first time after his defeat to Jai Opetaia, only got into the fight better in the second half – but was badly shaken in round nine when Pero almost scored a knockout with a powerful left hook.
The judges scored unanimously 96-93, 96-93 and 97-93 in favor of the Cuban, who thus continues his winning streak and works his way up the WBA rankings. Pero is currently ranked second behind Moses Itauma, while Oleksandr Usyk continues to hold the world title.
In the co-main event, the talented super welterweight Omari Jones (4-0, 4 knockouts) provided another exclamation mark. The 21-year-old stopped Yusuph Metu (12-3, 9 knockouts) in the third round with a clean left hook to the chin. The referee stopped the fight after the eight-count – another impressive performance from the young American.
Pat Brown (5-0, 5 knockouts) also caused a sensation in the cruiserweight division. The British youngster gave Felix Valera (24-8, 21 knockouts) no chance and ended the fight in round two. Brown knocked the experienced Dominican down twice before a cracking right hook brought the final knockout. Promoter Eddie Hearn was delighted after the fight: “Pat Brown can become the best cruiserweight in the world!” said Hearn euphorically.