Erislandy Lara and Julio Cesar Martinez Shine in PBC on Prime Video Debut

Erislandy Lara and Julio Cesar Martinez successfully retained their world titles on the inaugural PBC on Prime Video card.

Both men fought in separate bouts on the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s clash against Sebastian Fundora. The fight took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Fight fans could catch the action live on Prime Video as a PPV. Triller TV and PPV.com also had the PPV in select markets.

Erislandy Lara and Julio Cesar Martinez Successfully Defend Titles

Erislandy Lara Stops Michael Zerafa

Lara (30-3-3, 18 KOs) won via second-round stoppage to retain his WBA middleweight title against Michael Zerafa (31-5, 19 KOs).

The opening round was tentative, with neither man throwing or landing many punches. This carried onto the second, and the crowd voiced their displeasure. As the round neared its end, Lara landed a one-two punch combination that sent Zerafa to the canvas. The Australian failed to beat the count of referee Allen Huggins, giving the reigning champion a knockout win.

This was Lara’s first defence of the WBA title. He had been the sanctioning body’s secondary titlist since a May 2021 stoppage of Thomas LaManna. After Gennady Golovkin vacated his WBA title in March last year, Lara was promoted to full titlist.

.@laraboxing detonates a Cuban Missle to KO Michael Zerafa. #LaraZerafa

Order #TszyuFundora & #RollyPitbull on PPV on @PrimeVideo NOW: https://t.co/gPo68woorT pic.twitter.com/BZTcmfzxvJ

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) March 31, 2024

Julio Cesar Martinez Retains WBC Flyweight Title

Martinez (21-3, 15 KOs, 2 NCs) won a majority decision against Angelino Cordova (18-1-1, 12 KOs) to hold on to his WBC flyweight title.

While one judge had it 113-113, it was overturned by two scores of 114-112 for “El Rey.” With the win, Martinez made the sixth successful defence of his belt. He originally won the vacant title with a stoppage win against Cristofer Rosales in 2019.

Both fighters stayed at range of each other early on, exchanging flurries frequently. Most of the shots they threw were wild, swinging punches. In round three, Martinez sent Cordova to the canvas with a stiff left jab. The Mexican repeated the feat later in the round, causing Cordova to stay away for the remainder of the third.

The Venezuelan was repeatedly stunned by hooks in the fifth but managed to hold on without touching the canvas. A cut opened by the right eye of Martinez during round eight. Although he was dropped twice earlier, Cordova kept the fight close by exchanging flurries with his opponent. Towards the end of round 10, another cut opened above the left eye of Martinez.

Despite both men throwing a high number of punches, it was the shots of Martinez that had a greater impact on his opponent and were more accurate. The champion was constantly switching stances and throwing swinging hooks, but it was the jab out of the orthodox stance that gave him his best round.

Martinez's accuracy is on point, dropping Cordova twice in RD3. #MartinezCordova

Order #TszyuFundora & #RollyPitbull on PPV on @PrimeVideo NOW: https://t.co/gPo68woorT pic.twitter.com/YWI32Wdkge

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) March 31, 2024

Serhii Bohachuk and Curmel Moton Pick Up Decision Wins

Opening the broadcast were two fights available for free on Prime Video without a subscription and on YouTube.

Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Brian Mendoza (22-4, 16 KOs). Scores for the 12-round bout were 118-110 and 117-111 (x2). The win puts Bohachuk in line to challenge the winner of Tszyu-Fundora as an interim version of the WBC super welterweight title was on the line.

In an eight-round super featherweight contest, Curmel Moton (3-0, 2 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Anthony Cuba (7-1-2, 3 KOs). Scores were 80-72 across the board.

Other Undercard Bouts

Mirco Cuello (14-0, 11 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Sulaiman Segawa (16-4-1, 6 KOs, 1 NC). Scores for the eight-round featherweight bout were 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74.

Adrian Neaves won his professional debut against Steven Walker (0-2, 0 KOs) in a four-round super lightweight fight. Scores were 39-37 across the board.

Kaipo Gallegos (4-0-1, 3 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Eric Howard (6-2, 1 KO) in a six-round super featherweight clash. Scores were 60-53 and 59-54 (x2). Howard went down in round four.