Night of Knockouts at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs:  Nadjib Mohammedi Earns #1 Slot in the IBF and Karl “Dynamite” Dargan Retains his USBA Atlantic Coast Region Lightweight Title  

Nadjib Mohammedi
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events 


In the main event of the evening Nadjib Mohammedi (36-3, 21 KOs*) stopped Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko (18-3, 12 KOs) in the seventh round to claim the number one position in the IBF and the chance to challenge Bernard Hopkins for the IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship.

Mohammedi & Dudchenko
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events 

In the early rounds between Dudchenko and Mohammedi, the French boxer came out swinging against his Ukrainian opponent.  Mohammedi was chasing down the larger Dudchenko and landing some clean shots.  Anatoliy was getting caught in the corners and Mohammedi was taking advantage of the opportunity to have the big man against the ropes.  Nadjib was relentless in his attack on Anatoliy.

Anatoliy Dudchenko
Photo Credits:  Rich Graessle/Main Events 

“The Gladiator” suffered a cut on the top of his nose and Mohammedi came out of the gates swinging in the seventh to put the final touches on the fight.  The  referee called the fight only 37 seconds into the seventh round.   Anatoliy said afterwards, “I felt really spent after the first round. I had no energy; I was really weak.  I tried too hard to kill him.  Maybe I peaked too early.  I kept missing some really hard shots.  I think I just gave the other guy confidence.”

Nadjib Mohammedi
Photo Credits:  Rich Graessle/Main Events 

Dudchenko landed only 14% (28 of 200) of his punches whereas Mohammedi connected substantially more of his throws, 38% (137 of 357).  The average punches per round for Dudchenko were 3 for 13 but Mohammedi’s average punches per round were 13 of 30.

After the fight Nadjib declared, “My name is Nadjib Mohammedi and I am the best.  I was good tonight.  I am the best.  Nobody expected me to be the great fighter tonight but I was the better man.  I am ready for Bernard Hopkins and we are going to take that fight too.  We are coming back.”

“Dynamite” Dargan
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events 

 

 
Undefeated lightweight Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (16-0, 8 KOs) retained his USBA Atlantic Coast Region Title by knocking out fellow Philadelphian Anthony “Flawless” Flores (11-5-1, 6 KOs) in the fifth round.  

Flores & Dargan
Photo Credits:  Rich Graessle/Main Events 

Dargan came out in the first connecting well with the jab.  Flores was coming forward but was unable to connect against the elusive Dargan.  “Dynamite” was showing a lot of hand speed and landing a lot of clean shots.  Karl was just too quick for Flores.  “Flawless” was throwing a lot of punches but was unable to connect.  Dargan managed to cut Flores under his left eye in the second.  Karl came out with a vengence in the fifth round sending Flores to the canvas.  “Flawless” managed to get back on his feet but only for a couple of seconds before the referee called the fight a TKO.

Dargan Knocks Flores Down
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

 

 
Flores landed 17% of his punches (51 of 308) while Dargan landed 39% (80 of 205). The biggest disparity between the two fighters was their jab.  Dargan landed 30% (26 of 87) of his jabs while Flores only managed to connect with 6% (10 of 172) of his jabs against the elusive and faster Dargan.

Anthony Flores
Photo Credits:  Rich Graessle/Main Events 

 

 
After the TKO Dargan told the crowd, “I can handle pressure well.  After my last fight the media and the fans were saying I should have knocked him out.  Tonight I showed I can do it.  He didn’t surprise me.   I came out of camp prepared to fight any style.  He didn’t hurt me at all.  I am a shark in the water and I saw blood.  I want to fight anyone who stands in the way of my next title.”
Spring & Gadsen
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events
Local favorite, Erik Spring, of Reading, PA defeated Jamil “The Brick City Brawler” Gadsden in four rounds of junior middleweight action via unanimous decision.  All three judges scored the bout (40-36) in favor of Spring.

Babb & Romero
Photo Credits:  Rich Graessle/Main Events
Undefeated light welterweight sensation Wellington “Arias” Romero (4-0, 2 KOs) of Newburgh, NY kept his perfect record alive knocking out Mack “Truck” Babb (0-3) of Brooklyn, NY in the second round and securing New York State bragging rights.

Campbell & Barrera
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events
Cuban native Sullivan “El Mas Talentoso (The Most Talented)” Barrera (12-0, 7 KOs)  kept his undefeated record in tact as he took down the previously undefeated Lee “The Silverback” Campbell (7-1, 3 KOs) of Laurenburg, NC with a sixth round TKO.  This is Sullivan’s second victory  since signing with Main Events earlier this year.  He said, “I feel good.  I am very happy.  We broke his zero.  My team has worked hard.  We are ready for any competition out there; if it is Chilemba I am ready.”
Johnson & Bryant
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events
In the first fight of the evening two “Jersey Boys” made their pro debut in four rounds of junior middleweight action.  Hakim “Braveheart” Bryant (1-0) of Middletown, NJ came away with a unanimous decision victory (39-37, 40-36 and 40-36) over Al “TNT” Johnson (0-1) of Vineland, NJ.
*All records have been updated to reflect tonight’s results.
  

About June 21: 

 

June 21 features Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko and Nadjib Mohammedi in a twelve-round light heavyweight bout for the #1 position in the IBF live on NBCSN Fight Night from Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The co-feature includes a ten-round fight between Philly natives Karl “Dynamite” Dargan and Anthony Flores for the USBA Atlantic Coast Region Title.  The Fight Night telecast will begin at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. Doors will open at 5:00 PM.  The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. The card is subject to change. Ticket are available at ticketmaster.com or at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs box office. 

 

NBC Sports Live Extra:

 

NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream Fight Night at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on June 21.
Coverage will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

 

All NBC Sports Network live events live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs.

  

About Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs:

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 87 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware.   

 

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