Lightweight world champion Devin Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) defended his belt with a dominating performance over Alfredo Santiago (12-1, 4 KOs) in a 12-round bout, and Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) earned a stoppage victory over Marcelo Coceres (28-1-1, 15 KOs) in a tough battle during his United States debut.
Devin Haney
“I feel alright. In one of the rounds I dislocated my right shoulder. I’m a true champion and still won every round. Not sure what round, but he was on the ropes, I threw a right and over extended. Like I said I’m a true champion, fight through everything. On to the next.
“He was very crafty. I went in there and was able to adjust. I got this opponent on week notice. I’m a true champion and can fight through everything. It’s all experience, and it all comes with the fight game. l got the win, on to the next.
“In 2020 I want all the top guys. I want to unify. Vasyl Lomachenko and I can get it done. I can see what Lomachenko does. 2020 I want to start off with a bang with all the big fights.
On fight with Ryan Garcia: “I think that’s a big fight. Boxing fans would love to see that fight. Hope we can make it happen in 2020 or 2021. I’m ready to make that sooner rather than later.”
Billy Joe Saunders
“There’s no excuses. The performance was not worthy Canelo or Jacobs, but I came here five days before. I knew in my head I had to get him out of here. My timing was off my, movement was off, everything was off. I wanted to impress the crowd. Hopefully you enjoyed the KO, all I could do tonight.
“I had a chest and cough, but no excuses. I was not 100% fighting mentally. I was tired, but needed to get him out in the ninth. I just needed to look calm and needed to let him gas. This is the experience I’ve had before. Had to let him gas. Continue to follow me, this wasn’t the best of me.
“I’ve been in big fights, needed to stay cool. As being champion you know when to step on the gas, and you need to step on the gas at some point. It’s the difference between winning and losing.
“Canelo if you want to become four-weight champion, take me now because this is the time to make it happen. I want Canelo. I respect you, you’ve done big things for the sport.”
In a thrilling back and forth affair, KSI (1-0) triumphed over Logan Paul (0-1) in front of a raucous crowd of 12,137 fans at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and live on DAZN. In the fourth round of their six-round bout, Paul knocked down KSI with an uppercut that was ruled illegal and resulted in a two-point deduction. KSI ultimately won by split decision to settle the score following their majority draw in August 2018.
KSI
“KSI last time was scared to fight, scared to touch him, scared to get close to him, I just kept going this time. I worked my ass off and kept going. I’m victorious! I’m a dog, I kept saying it. He just hit me in the back of head. It is what it was. I’m happy, happy days. It took about a minute to figure out how I was. I came back at it. That’s boxing, I didn’t stop. I’m going to keep fighting. I’ve never worked so hard. In the ring, in camp, it was tough, but kept going and going. I was on fire. He couldn’t deal with my jabs and he kept moving.’
To Logan Paul: “It takes a big man to get the ring. You made me work today and you made me work two years ago. Thank you for a good fight.
On a rematch: “It’s done for me. I’m on the to the next. You should fight CM Punk.”
Logan Paul
On the knockdown: “It was a slip. I don’t think he won the round for that. The ref told me it wasn’t a knockdown.”
To KSI: “Fair play to JJ, one of the toughest people I know. You had my respect before this match. I don’t like to be a dick to you. You’re one of the toughest people I know, respect.”
On this fight vs. the first: “I was more calm, I worked on my conditioning. The more I boxed the more comfortable I get. Boxing is a weird type of conditioning I guess.”
On the point deduction: “My emotions got the best of me. No warning, I got two points taken away from me that’s why I lost. If you do the math that’s I why I lost. I want to contest the commission. I should’ve only got a warning.”
On if he will fight again: “Yes these are the best moments of my life. Yeah you will definitely see me back. I’m going to commission on that.”
6-Round Cruiserweight Bout @ 200 lbs.
KSI (1-0) defeated Logan Paul (0-1) by split decision
(56-55 for Logan Paul, 57-54 for KSI, 56-55, for KSI)
12-Round WBC Lightweight Championship Bout @ 135 lbs.
Devin Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) defeated Alfredo Santiago (12-1, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision
(120-107 X3)
12-Round Super Middleweight Bout @ 168 lbs.
Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) defeated Marcelo Coceres (28-1-1, 15 KOs) at 1:59 by TKO of Round 11
4-Round Cruiserweight Bout @ 200 lbs.
Josh Brueckner (1-0) defeated Tyler Smith (0-1) by unanimous decision
(40-36 X3)
6-Round Super Middleweight Bout @ 168 lbs.
Diego Pacheco (7-0, 6 KOs) defeated Aaron Casper (5-5, 4 KOs) at 2:49 by TKO of Round 4
12-Round Super Bantamweight Bout @ 122 lbs.
Ronny Rios (32-3, 16 KOs) defeated Hugo Berrio (28-8-1, 18 KOs) at 1:42 by TKO of Round 2
Find out more about Fight Season on DAZN ahead of the biggest rematch in a decade featuring Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua at www.DAZN.com.
