Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
This was the most incredible boxing match to happen in a long time.
UFC Fight Island 4 may have been the featured combat sports attraction on Saturday night, but the best action came in the Top Rank Boxing main event between junior welterweight contenders Jose Zepeda and Ivan Baranchyk.
There were a whopping eight knockdowns in just five of the ten scheduled rounds. Baranchyk put Zepeda down twice in the opening round, then Zepeda responded by putting Baranchyk down in round two. No worries for Baranchyk, as he decked him straight after for his third knockdown scored. In round three, Baranchyk found himself on the canvas for the second time. Knockdown six was scored by Zepeda in round four and yet these two kept on fighting.
Round five saw Zepeda held up by the ropes after a Baranchyk barrage, so Kenny Bayless awarded another knockdown. With seconds to go before the end of the round, a big left hand by Zepeda put Baranchyk down and out cold. He’s lucky he didn’t shatter his leg with the way he bent backwards.
Watch the eight knockdowns at the top of the page. The good news was that Baranchyk, who was down for several minutes, was eventually alert, responsive, and in good spirits as he was transported to the hospital after those 15 minutes of pure savagery.
Knockout of the Year and Fighter of the Year and Round of the Year all happened in this fight.