Three Surprises in Hamilton

By Vincent Morin

Professional boxing ignites passions not only in Quebec but across the country. Last Saturday in Hamilton, Ontario, six bouts were presented by the Three Lions Promotion group. Out of these six fights, no fewer than three fighters from the Ontario firm were upset by their opponents.

In the main event of the evening, local favorite Antonio Napolitano (8-1-1, 4 KOs) suffered the first defeat of his career against fellow Canadian Ryan Young (16-5, 11 KOs). The latter claimed the Canadian middleweight title (160 lb) with a majority decision victory (99-91, 95-95, and 97-93) in 10 rounds.

In the super-middleweight division (168 lb), Ontario prospect John Michael Bianco (7-1, 3 KOs) saw his perfect record tarnished by Croatian puncher Mate Rudan (7-0, 7 KOs), who stopped the Canadian fighter at 2:08 of the third round.

The third surprise of the evening occurred in the middleweight clash between Nova Scotian Brett Beaton (5-2, 4 KOs) and Mexican Leonel Castanon (5-4-1, 3 KOs). The visitor, now with three consecutive wins in Canada, won by TKO at 1:12 of the fifth round.

In the welterweight division (147 lb), Ontarian Carolyn Redmond (7-2, 3 KOs) defeated former IBF super featherweight world champion Claudia Andrea Lopez (26-17, 6 KOs) by unanimous decision (59-55, 59-55, and 60-54) in six rounds.

Making her professional debut, young Mexican Meilyn Sanchez Martinez (1-0, 1 KO) faced an experienced opponent in Uruguayan Soledad Macedo (17-19-2, 4 KOs), but the now Canada-based boxer left the ring victorious with a TKO win at 0:26 of the third round.

In the opening bout, local boxer Dylan Taylor (1-0, 1 KO) successfully made his professional debut against Argentinian Fernando Sebastian Bravo (4-2-1, 2 KOs), winning by TKO at 2:46 of the first round.