Yoel Romero showcased his power, needing almost the entire fight to defeat the much larger Ras Hylton at the very first Dirty Boxing Championship event.
Just days after Jon Jones and Mike Perry announced their involvement in this new and controversial fighting promotion, Romero headlined a thrilling event at The Hangar in Miami. Despite his background as a UFC middleweight contender and standing at 5’10″, Romero faced the towering 6’6″ heavyweight, Hylton.
Romero weighed in at 225lbs, a significant 40lbs heavier than his usual fighting weight, while Hylton was 256lbs. The substantial size difference played a role in the fight, as Romero, the veteran fighter, found it challenging to overcome the larger opponent until late in the final round, with only 40 seconds remaining.
Romero Dominates Giant Rival in Dirty Boxing Ring
Yoel Romero entered the fight as the clear favorite against Ras Hylton, a relatively unknown heavyweight. From the start, the size disparity was obvious. Hylton used his reach effectively, staying behind his jab and forcing Romero to attempt risky, powerful strikes, including a Superman punch.
In the second round, Romero effectively targeted Hylton`s body. However, by the third round, many observers felt Romero was behind on points. He then increased his aggression, putting immense pressure on Hylton.
Finally, Romero landed a decisive two-punch combination, culminating in a powerful hook that sent Hylton crashing to the canvas. The fight was immediately stopped, and Yoel Romero was declared the winner by knockout.
Jon Jones and Celebrities Attend Dirty Boxing Championship Inaugural Event
The Dirty Boxing Championship`s debut attracted a star-studded audience, with Jon Jones leading the list of notable attendees ringside.
Jones arrived early to support his teammate Maurice Greene, despite Greene`s loss in the preliminary fights. Jones was featured in promotional material for the event and even entered the ring with Romero after the main event to celebrate the victory.
Other prominent figures present included controversial influencers Adin Ross and Patrick Bet-David, alongside numerous NFL players and other celebrities. Mark Coleman, among other former UFC stars, was also present to witness the action.
