Yoel Romero needed almost the entire fight to defeat the much larger Ras Hylton at the inaugural Dirty Boxing Championship event.
Just days after Jon Jones announced his involvement in the new promotion with Mike Perry, Romero headlined the event at The Hangar in Miami. Despite his background as a UFC middleweight contender and being significantly shorter at 5`10″, he faced the towering 6`6″ heavyweight Hylton.
Romero weighed in at 225lb, considerably heavier than his usual fighting weight, while Hylton was 256lb. The significant size difference played a role as Romero struggled to overcome his opponent`s reach and size advantage, with the fight lasting until the final minute of the third round.
Yoel Romero Delivers Devastating Knockout in Dirty Boxing Ring
Yoel Romero was heavily favored to win against the lesser-known Ras Hylton, but the size disparity was evident from the start. Hylton utilized his reach effectively with jabs, forcing Romero to attempt risky, long-range attacks.
In the second round, Romero began targeting Hylton`s body with success. However, heading into the third round, some observers felt Romero might have been behind on points. In the third round, Romero increased his aggression and applied significant pressure to Hylton.
Ultimately, Romero landed a powerful two-punch combination, culminating in a hook that dropped Hylton. The fight was immediately stopped, and Romero was declared the winner by knockout.
Star-Studded Attendance at Dirty Boxing Championship Inaugural Event
The debut of the Dirty Boxing Championship attracted a number of celebrities, including co-owner Jon Jones.
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 joined Romero in the ring after the main event.
Other notable attendees included internet personalities Adin Ross and Patrick Bet-David, as well as several NFL players and former UFC stars like Mark Coleman.
