Results: Melikuziev vs Rosado Fight Outcome & Reactions

By Vladimir S - 04/23/2023 - Comments

Super middleweight contender Bektemir Melikuziev (12-1, 9 KOs) redeemed himself from his only career loss by dominating veteran Gabriel Rosado (26-17-1, 15 KOs) and earning a unanimous decision win. Melikuziev impressed the judges with his performance, scoring 99-91 on all three cards.

Melikuziev had suffered a stunning one-punch KO defeat to Rosado in their first encounter in 2021. In the rematch, Melikuziev was more cautious and consistent, landing more punches than Rosado in every round.

Melikuziev nearly dropped Rosado in round five with a straight left that made him stagger and almost fall into the ropes. Rosado tried to rally in the later rounds, but absorbed too much damage while trying to get inside.

The 27-year-old from Uzbekistan had a clear advantage in power punches landed (129-31) and kept Rosado at a low 17% connect rate. After the fight, Melikuziev celebrated his revenge, while Rosado announced his plans to retire after a long career.

Elijah Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs), a promising middleweight, earned a unanimous decision over Kevin Salgado (15-2-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round bout that opened the pay-per-view. The 19-year-old Garcia prevailed by scores of 95-94 and 97-92 twice.

Salgado, from Mexico, started strong in the first three rounds, landing punches that broke Garcia’s nose and gave him the early edge. However, Garcia turned the tide in round five, finding openings for his power shots and improving his defense. Salgado failed to connect on more than 40% of his punches in any of the remaining rounds, while he had done so in each of the first three.

Garcia hurt Salgado with a straight left hand that pushed him back in round six, but Salgado survived until the bell. Salgado tried to target Garcia’s body in round seven, but he was penalized a point by referee Robert Hoyle for repeated fouls.

Before the telecast, the action streaming live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing® Facebook page featured rising middleweight contender Fiodor Czerkaszyn (22-0, 14 KOs) dominating Elias Espadas (22-6, 15 KOs) en route to a ninth-round TKO. Czerkaszyn landed big power shots throughout the fight, wearing Espadas down and forcing referee Mike Ortega to stop the fight at 2:07 of the ninth-round.

The streaming presentation also showcased sensational super welterweight prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. (15-1, 10 KOs) scoring a brutal fourth-round knockout over Jose Charles (20-4-1, 12 KOs). After dropping Charles twice in round three, Mielnicki landed a perfect counter right early in round four that sent Charles crashing to the canvas and prompted referee Robert Hoyle to end the action at 33 seconds of the round.