Radzhab Butaev became the new WBA welterweight champion at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, as he stopped Jamal James in nine rounds.
Minneapolis-based James (27-2, 12 KOs) was making the first defence of the belt since being upgraded to full champion status, while Butaev (14-0, 11 KOs) was having his second crack at the same title after a 2019 defeat to Alexander Besputin, that was later changed to a no contest after the 30-year-old failed post-fight drug tests.
The Russian made a solid start here against James, winning the battle of the jabs early on, and investing to the body, chipping away at James and steadily causing damage.
As the fight wore on, the damage was getting more and more noticeable, and Butaev went about his work with precision, even though he was deducted a point in round five for a questionable infringement that looked like a shot to the side of James’ head.
The end to proceedings came in the ninth, with James taking punishment from some spiteful shots, and the referee had seen enough, crowning Butaev the new champion.
Ennis makes statement against Dulorme
Chief support came from the heavy-handed welterweight, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, and he didn’t disappoint, wiping out former world title challenger, Thomas Dulorme (25-6-1, 16 KOs), inside a round.
Ennis made it 26 early wins from 28 contests, and, after establishing his jab, a clubbing right hand had Dulorme on the deck.
The Puerto Rican rose unsteadily but beat the count, and after another Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs) ambush, a right hand followed by a straight left had him on the floor again, this time unable to beat the referee’s count, and the fight was over.
No one man should have all the power 💪🏾😳@JaronEnnis scores his 11th first round KO.#EnnisDulorme #JamesButaev pic.twitter.com/pOhVDVVwMJ
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) October 31, 2021
The 24-year-old called for clashes with champions, Errol Spence Jr, Terence Crawford, Yordenis Ugas and former titlist, Keith Thurman post-fight to SHOWTIME.
Remaining Undercard
At lightweight, Michel Rivera took a ten round decision win over Argentina’s Jose Matias Romero (24-2, 8 KOs).
Rivera (22-0, 14 KOs) took every round on all three cards for a 100-90 victory.
.@zarzabox02 levied a varied attack on Romero for the UD win❗#RiveraRomero #JamesButaev pic.twitter.com/8hHZxvojCN
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) October 31, 2021
At welterweight, Jean Carlos Torres (19-1, 15 KOs) lost his unbeaten record, as he retired after six rounds against Darwin Price (18-1, 11 KOs).
The fourth and final welterweight bout went the way of Alberto Palmetta (17-1, 12 KOs), with the Argentine taking a split decision win over eight against Yeis Gabriel Solano.
Scores of 79-73 and 78-74 in Palmetta’s favour trumped a third card of 77-75 for Solano (15-2, 10 KOs).
Jose Tito Sanchez (8-0, 5 KOs) scored a fifth round technical decision win against Fernando Garcia (13-4, 8 KOs) at featherweight, while at super lightweight, David Lopez (1-0, 1 KO) won the battle of the debutants with a first round stoppage win against Lazarus Velazquez (0-1).
