PBC on SpikeTV Results: Easter Jr. and Broner win by knockouts
By: Matthew N. Becher
Premier Boxing Champions presented two fights this Friday from the DC Armory in Washington D.C. live on Spike TV. The first matchup between lightweights Algenis Mendez (23-3-1 12KO) and prospect Robert Easter Jr. (16-0 13KO) was a showcase for Easter. Mendez, the former featherweight champion was beaten systematically by the rising star. Easter looked just as good as ever, and notched a very important win in his very young resume.
The main event was a matchup of Mayweather promotions fighter Ashley Theophane (39-6-1 11KO) and former 4 division world champion Adrien Broner (31-2 23KO) for the WBA Jr. Welterweight championship. Theophane became a busy fighter but just didn’t have the power or technical abilities to give Broner any trouble. Broner showed why he was a 4x world champion, even if not in his most impressive fashion to date.
A lot of backstory has been going on this week with the main event, specifically about the former champion Adrien Broner. We say former, because he came in .4 lbs. overweight at the Friday weigh in and was stripped of his title, the second time that Broner has lost a title on the scales in the past 4 years. He also has been placed on an arrest warrant by the Cincinnati police department from an alleged assault and robbery charge in late January, and will need to turn himself over to the authorities in Ohio, once his fight is finished. Broner has also had a war of words with his self-proclaimed idol and “big Brother”, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather has spoken openly in the past couple of days trying to personally figure out who his friend Broner is, referring to him as “always broke”, a “criminal” and a “snake”.
Robert Easter Jr. (16-0 13KO) vs. Algenis Mendez (23-3-1 12KO): Lightweight
Easter came out of the opening bell dictating the pace of the fight. His hand speed and jab were sharp and fast. Easter used his length to keep Mendez at bay. Mendez needed to counter back a bit to get pass the long jab of Easter, which he was able to do in the second and third round. The third round both fighters were especially trading.
In the fourth round Easter was able to hurt Mendez with a big left hand with a little less than one minute left. Easter continued to press for a knock down, but Mendez was able to hang on. Easter jumped on Mendez from the beginning of the fifth round and eventually was able to land a HUGE overhand right that knocked Algenis Mendez out.
Easter Jr. KO5 2:43
Adrien Broner (31-2 23KO) v. Ashley Theophane (39-6-1 11KO): WBA Jr. Welterweight
Theophane was the busier fighter in the early rounds, but Broner came out with the shaper, harder punches. Broner was able to land a hard right hand in the third, wobbling Theophane. Broner went on a flurry, looking for the early knockout, but Theophane was able to survive.
The fourth round started out the same way the third ended, a left uppercut hurt Theophane. Broner did his best to end the fight, but Theophane was able to dance, hold and survive. As far as the fight was going, Broner was in complete control.
Theophane would last a bit longer than many expected, landing some punches and making Broner really work for the win.
In the ninth round Broner landed two right hands to the head of Theophane, both doing damage. Broner continued to chase Theophane and throw an array of punches, one landing low. Theophane was able to move away and gestured to the ref about the low blow, unfortunately the gesture was interpreted as a signal to end the fight.
Broner was awarded the Technical Knockout and then during the post-fight interview he called out Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a fight of any kind. The saga will continue.
Broner TKO9 1:10