Boxing News
Cody Kelly Stops Thad Buntsma to Become Canadian Super Welterweight Champion
Cody Kelly Stops Thad Buntsma to Become Canadian Super Welterweight Champion
PICKERING, ON, November 30, 2024 – Cody Kelly (5-9-3, 1 KO) is the new Canadian super welterweight champion after a seventh round technical knockout win over Thad Buntsma (5-4-1, 2 KOs).
The official time of stoppage was 1:40. With the victory, Kelly evens the score with his opponent. Earlier this year, Buntsma had won a majority decision over Kelly. The judges were not needed this time around as Kelly scored three knockdowns to win his first fight in over two years and the vacant title.
The fight headlined a United Boxing Promotions card at the Pickering Casino Resort in Ontario, Canada. There was no broadcast for the event and those interested in watching had to buy a ticket to do so. Big Fight Weekend was present ringside and providing updates on X.
Cody Kelly Repeatedly Drops Thad Buntsma to Become Canadian 154-lb Champion
Thad Buntsma vs. Cody Kelly Fight Recap
The opening round was an active one with both fighters not afraid of letting their hands go. Things took a turn for the dramatic in the second as Kelly landed a left hook that sent his opponent down. Buntsma got up, but he had to hold on to weather the storm that he was facing.
As the fight progressed, Buntsma struggled with the output of Kelly. There was also a fair bit of holding, but the referee rarely intervened. In round six, Buntsma was down for a second time in the fight after being hit with an overhand left. Though he got up, it would not be for much longer.
Kelly sent his opponent down for a third time in the seventh with a left. This time, the referee put an end to proceedings as Buntsma was getting up, giving Kelly the technical knockout win. Following the knockdown in round two, Buntsma struggled to get back in the fight. Nothing he was landing seemed to particularly bother Kelly, who continued to show superior conditioning. In the end, Kelly was able to break down Buntsma until he finally got the stoppage.
Post-Fight Interview
Cody Kelly
“Honestly, I feel good,” said Kelly to Big Fight Weekend after his win.
“It [having a proper training camp this time] was everything. I knew what I had to do. So we trained on movement, sticking that jab. It [the stoppage] just came.”
“Honestly, he [Buntsma] seemed more cautious which caught me off guard. He came forward a lot more last time. I think it’s cause he knew [this time] I was in shape. It caught me off guard that he wasn’t coming forward.”
Undercard Results
Kemahl Russell Pummels Douglas Ataide Over Four
Kemahl Russell (18-1, 16 KOs) won via fourth round technical knockout against Douglas Ataide (19-5-1, 10 KOs). The official time of stoppage was 2:48 for this 10-round middleweight clash. With the win, Russell is now 5-0 since making his boxing comeback in early 2023.
Russell chose to start things tactically, trying to break down his opponent. In rounds two and three he was getting caught at times, but still doing the better work overall. However, that was all to change once things got into the fourth.
In round four, a right hand sent Ataide down for the first time in the fight. Shortly after, a barrage of punches from Russell with Ataide on the ropes caused the referee to issue a count with the Brazilian still standing. The bout came to an end when Russell landed a massive right hand that shook his opponent, causing the referee to end proceedings with Ataide still standing.
Jerome Gabriel Stunned by Gregory Miller
In what surely has to be considered an upset, Gregory Miller (3-11, 3 KOs) won via first round knockout against Jerome Gabriel (4-1, 2 KOs). The official time of stoppage for this four-round light heavyweight bout was 2:16. With the victory, Miller ends a five-fight losing streak.
Gabriel began well, landing a punch early on that had his opponent fall back onto the ropes. It was all for naught, however, as a massive left hand from Miller sent Gabriel down. The fight should have ended there as Gabriel was clearly in no position to carry on, but the referee allowed things to continue. Shortly after, another massive left hand sent Gabriel down once more. He was down for a while, but fortunately got up and made it out of the ring on his own.
Kyle McLaughlin Once Again Victorious Against Dylan Rushton
Kyle McLaughlin (6-0, 4 KOs) won a unanimous decision in his rematch against Dylan Rushton (3-14-3, 0 KOs). Scores for the six-round welterweight contest were 59-55 (x2) and 58-56. McLaughlin is now 2-0 against Rushton, having won a split decision against him earlier this year.
There was plenty of toe-to-toe action in the first half of the fight. In round one, a low blow unseen by the referee followed by a barrage of punches had Rushton stunned for a short period. It did not take long for him to recover, however, and he continued to trade away. McLaughlin appeared more tired of the two as the bout went on and he stuck to moving on the back foot more. In the fifth and sixth, both boxers threw with reckless abandon to finish the rounds. In the end, the judges saw McLaughlin doing the better work over six, giving him the unanimous decision victory.
Joshua Frazer Scores Brutal KO Over Petr Brodsky
Opening the action for the night, Joshua Frazer (12-0, 9 KOs) won via third round knockout against Petr Brodsky (4-4, 1 KO). The official time of stoppage was 0:27 for this six-round super welterweight bout. Brodsky started well, catching his opponent a few times. However, it was not long before Frazer started to land shots of his own and he eventually knocked down his opponent with a left hook to the head closer to the end of round one.
In the second, Frazer continued to apply pressure. Eventually, a right hook to the body sent Brodsky down once more. He got up, but the end was near for the Czech fighter. Not long into round three, Frazer landed a right hook to the head that caused Brodsky to face plant onto the canvas, bringing an immediate end to the fight.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
