Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Wilder-Ortiz co main event: Jose Uzcategui stops Andre Dirrell in rematch


PhilBoxing.com




Brooklyn, New York - In a rematch of their controversial fight last year, Venezuelan Jose Uzcategui (26-2, 22 KOs) fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico stopped Andre Dirrell of Flint, Michigan (26-2, 16 KOs) in the 9th round to claim the interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super Middleweight belt that was previously held by his opponent.

After eight one-sided rounds in favor of the challenger, Referee Ricky Gonzales waived the fight off at the second mark of the round upon the request of Dirrell?s corner.

Nine months ago, Uzcategui was disqualified when he hit Dirrell after the bell at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. The fighter from Venezuela maintained that he did nothing illegal and that his punches were delivered within the allotted time during the round.

Chaos ensued after when Dirrell?s uncle and trainer at that time, Leon Lawson Jr., assaulted the Venezuelan fighter in the aftermath of the fight. Lawson was arrested and banned from manning any corner afterwards.

Tonight their second fight which was the Showtime TV opener for the heavyweight battle between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz, was devoid of chaos and controversy. The final result of their interim title tight at the Barclays Center was received without any protests from either camp.

Uzcategui battered and eventually subdued Dirrell with his persistent jabs and a right hand that scored to the head and the body. He was active from the opening bell, boxing and moving fluidly against a timid offense from Dirrell.

Dirrell who is now trained by Virgil Hunter suffered his 3rd loss as a professional and his first under Hunter. He was down two score cards in their last fight before the contentious ending and he was also trailing (74-78, 73-79, 75-77) in all three judges at ringside in Brooklyn.

Dirrell?s face bore the punishment he received from Uzcategui. His face was reddened by the 112 power punches that he received from his challenger. He only managed to connect 51 power punches.

?My strategy was to break him down every round. All credit to Andre, he's a great fighter. He's a championship level fighter and it took me a little bit to figure him out. But I started to figure him out and I'm glad his corner stopped it because it would have ended badly,? said Uzcategui.

?I want all the big fights. I'm ready for them. I want to provide for my family and this is my chance to do it," he declared, aiming at a unification bout with his ?friend? - David Benavidez of the WBC.

?I want to fight David Benavidez. We are good friends but I want to fight him.?

But before Uzcategui can go calling out champions to make those big fights - Uzcategui has to prove who the real king of the 165 pound division of the IBF is. Because despite his success tonight - he still has the to look up above him where Caleb Truax sits as it?s true champ.

Truax will most likely fight James DeGale in a rematch this year and then the victor will have to deal with Uzcategui after.

You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.