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Tough contender Kyrone “Shut It Down’’ Davis disagreed with the outcome of Saturday night.
He fought two-time super middleweight champion Anthony “The Dog’’ Dirrell to a hard-fought 12-round split draw in a WBC super middleweight title elimination match in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
Judge Patrick Russell scored it 115-113 for Dirrell. Judge Lou Moret scored it 115-113 for Davis and Judge Zachary Young had it 114-114 even.
It was a tactical match as both boxers battled from a distance and in close quarters. Dirrell landed the more accurate shots, but Davis matched his work rate on offense. Davis made Dirrell work for everything he got in the fight.
Davis (15-2-1, 6 KOs) stepped up to the biggest challenge of his career in taking on Dirrell. The most notable victory on his record had come against Marcos Hernandez in 2017. Hernandez was undefeated at the time. In the early rounds against Dirrell, Davis seemed a bit hesitant, but settled in as the fight rolled to the middle rounds. He pressed the action at times, but it wasn’t enough to convince two of the judges to give him the decision.
“I thought I won the fight, 116-112. It was a great opportunity. They doubted me. They told me he was going to knock me out. This was supposed to be a showcase for him but it wasn’t,” Davis said.
“My body felt well. I felt good. Anthony Dirrell is a two-time world champion. I really wanted to make a statement. A draw is not as bad as a loss but I really don’t like breaking even.
“It was my first 12-rounder so it was a little unfamiliar for me. I knew he was experienced, but I kept my composure and pushed through it. I stuck to the game plan that (trainer) Stephen “Breadman” Edwards gave me.”