Luis Arias W10 Jimmy Williams... In a junior middleweight bout streamed live on Showtime Sports’ YouTube channel, a trim Luis Arias, 155.25 lbs., now based in Las Vegas, outpointed Connecticut's Jimmy Williams over ten heats, earning a unanimous decision by three scores of 99-91. Arias, who defeated former two-belt champion Jarrett Hurd last June, was the aggressor throughout most of the match, though he grew tired over the later rounds. Focusing more on throwing power punches, Arias had success landing his left hook often. In round nine, a straight right upstairs wobbled Williams into the ropes. Rebounding from a surprise defeat in his last outing, Arias improved to 20-3-1 with 9 KOs), while Williams left the ring at 18-8-2 with 6 KOs.
Jalil Major Hackett TKO2 Jose Belloso... Nineteen-year-old welterweight Jalil Major Hackett, 145 lbs., of Washington, D.C., handed Arkansas' Jose Belloso his first defeat. With fast hands and a potent left hook, Hackett began attacking Belloso immediately from the opening bell. In round two, two straight rights upstairs staggered Belloso into a neutral corner, then after a follow-up attack, referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stepped in to stop the contest at 2:20 of the frame. Hackett upped his record to 4-0 with 3 KOs, while Belloso dropped to 4-1 with 4 KOs. A pro since June 2021 and trained by his father Bernard, Hackett ended his amateur career with a record of 140-19, becoming a five-time Title Tournament champion, two-time Junior Olympics champion and a Silver Gloves champion. He has been a sparring partner for Gervonta Davis since 2019.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
Cincinnati junior welterweight Adrian Benton was extended the six-round distance for the first time as a pro, given a tough assignment in sturdy-chinned Jose Antonio Meza of Durango, Mexico. Exhibiting deft footwork, hand speed and slick defense, Benton stalked Meza while dipping away from shots to find openings for his left hook and straight right. Unless he was in close, Meza had a hard time connecting on Benton with anything significant. Benton took a reserved approach to the final frame, allowing Meza dictate the action. Scorecards read 59-55 twice, and 58-56, all for Benton, who improved to 7-0 (4 KOs). Coming into tonight’s bout, Meza, 8-7 (2 KOs), who has never been knocked out, was coming off a win against 12-0 Jose Manuel Gomez. Trained by his father Kevin Benford, Benton was an amateur star, competing since the age of 10 and compiling a 287-16 record. As an amateur, Benton won gold medals at the National Golden Gloves Championships and Western Elite Qualifying Tournament in 2018, Eastern Elite Qualifier in 2017, and National Silver Gloves Championships between 2012-2014.
Haitian southpaw Jaica Pavilus upset Mia “Killer Bee” Ellis in a six-round lightweight bout. Ellis is the daughter of trainer Kenny Ellis and was competing in her first six-rounder. The New York-based Pavilus dropped Ellis in round six to stamp her victory. Pavilus earned a unanimous decision on scores of 59-54, 58-55 and 57-56. The spoiler Pavilus picked up her second upset win this year to improve to 3-5-1 (1 KO). Ellis, who grew up in a boxing household and began boxing at age eight, is now 4-1 (3 KOs).
To open the event, Arnold Gonzalez, 146.4 lbs., born and raised in Harlem, NY, to Ecuadorian parents, took on Tracey McGruder, 148.4 lbs., of Rochester, NY, in a six-round welterweight clash. Shorter by four inches, Gonzalez pressured his way inside to throw hooks to the body. McGruder did his best to maintain a safe distance with his jab, launching straight rights whenever he could time Gonzalez. As the bout wore on, Gonzalez turned his attack upstairs, finding a home for his overhand right. Overall the busier fighter, Gonzalez improved to 10-0 (5 KOs), winning a split decision on two scores of 58-56, while the third tally of 59-57 went to McGruder. Trained by Julian Chua, Gonzalez has gained invaluable experience working as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao and George Kambosos Jr. McGruder’s record dipped to 6-3 (4 KOs).
