Ohara Davies destroyed by Ismael Barroso in U.S. debut
Hackney's Ohara Davies (25-3, 18KO) endured a first-round stoppage loss to Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23KO) in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 6.
31-year-old Davies was challenging two-time world title contender Barroso for the WBA Interim super-lightweight title and the chance for a title shot at the champion Rolando Romero next. But his American debut went disastriously wrong, when he was floored within the first 75 seconds of the 12-round contest.
"Two Tanks" Davies got straight on the front foot, pawing with his lead left, while the aggressive Barroso uncharacteristically went on the backfoot.
He tried a right hook in the first minute and was countered with a quick left hook by Barroso. He threw another right hand and this time the counter left hook knocked him out while still standing. After a moment of being stunned, he regained his senses to cover up but his legs buckled from beneath him and he went down. He bravely got back up again, but another flurry from Barroso, nothing really landing apart from a left hand, caused Davies to go down again.
When he returned to his feet for the second time, referee Celestino Ruiz asked him if he wanted to continue but could see the fight had completely gone from him and rightfully waved the fight off. Davies initially complained but it was clear to see that he was in no condition to carry on and was saved from further punishment.
The official time of the stoppage was 1:53 in the first round.
The Londoner was targeting a shot at WBA super-lightweight champion Rolly Romero, but Venezuelan southpaw Barroso has now earned a rematch instead, after his controversial ninth-round stoppage loss to the American last May.
Despite the South American's advanced age, he was far quicker and sharper than his junior, and appeared to be a level above the Brit.