Brandon Moore hopes his recent win will make a statement to those in the heavyweight division.
Moore scored a devastating knockout win over Elijah McCall late Saturday night at the Wyndham Orlando Resort and Conference Center in Kissimmee, Florida.
The 29-year-old Moore, who resides in nearby Lakeland, improved to 12-0 1 NC, 8 knockouts.
Early in the second round, McCall threw a right cross. Almost simultaneously, Moore threw a right uppercut to the chin, catching McCall flush and dropping him flat to the canvas. Referee Massimo Montanini immediately waved the fight off at 12 seconds.
McCall, who resides in Martinsville, Virginia, was unconscious and remained on the canvas for a few minutes before walking out of the ring under his own power.
Moore had not fought since facing gatekeeper Curtis Harper on April 2 of last year. The original result was a one-sided decision win for Moore, but was later changed to a no-decision. Moore has not fought in recent months due to promotional issues with the now-defunct Probellum banner. He is co-managed by Kevin Connolly and Ryan Rickey, who believes his charge has the capability of going far in the sport.
McCall falls to 12-4-1, 11 KOs. It was McCall’s first fight in almost 10 years. The 35-year-old had lost back-to-back fights against Andy Ruiz and Marcin Rekowski in 2012 and 2013.
Another fighter managed by Rickey also made quick work of his opponent on the card promoted by Gonzalo Sapia.
Light heavyweight Damazion Vanhouter stopped Robert Burwell in the opening round.
The taller Vanhouter was the aggressive fighter from the opening bell, putting Burwell on the defensive. About a minute into the round, Vanhouter hurt Burwell. Vanhouter went on the attack and seemed to score a knockdown as a left hook to the body forced Burwell down on the bottom two ring ropes. Vanhouter thought he had scored a knockdown but referee Frank Santore did not administer a standing eight-count and allowed the fight to continue.
Moments later, Vanhouter dropped Burwell to one knee with a left hook to the body. Burwell’s corner threw in the towel, prompting Santore to wave the fight off at 1:43.
It was reported that Burwell might have suffered an injury to his rib from one of the left hooks to the body Vanhouter landed.
The 18-year-old Vanhouter, who earlier this month graduated high school, had recently sparred unbeaten super middleweight Edgar Berlanga and has been in the camp of Keith Thurman.
Burwell, who resides in Orlando, dropped to 10-9, 3 KOs. He was stopped by Juan Carrillo in his previous bout on February 17. The 32-year-old has now lost six of his last seven bouts.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing