By Cliff Rold

30-year old Jr. Welterweight Felix Diaz (16-0, 8 KO) of the Dominican Republic, scored knockdowns in rounds nine and ten to shore up a majority decision victory over 25-year old Adrian Granados (13-3-2, 9 KO) of Cicero, Illinois, on Friday night in the main event at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The referee was Gary Ritter.

Both men came into the bout just below the division limit of 140 lbs., Diaz at 138 and Granados at 139 ¾.  Granados boxed well early in an exciting ten round bout but it was Diaz, a two-time Olympian and Gold Medalist in 2008, who closed the show.  His two knockdowns seemed to protect his unbeaten mark, though wide final scoring indicated less real jeopardy.  Final scores came in at 94-94, 97-91, and 98-91.

Diaz entered the bout rated #13 by the WBC at 140 lbs.

In Featherweight action, 25-year old Claudio Marrero (17-1, 13 KO), 129, of the Dominican Republic, won his third straight with a sixth round stoppage of 27-year old Ira Terry (26-13, 16 KO), 124 ¾, of Memphis, Tennessee.  Some vicious body shots set up a barrage and forced Terry to use his gloves to stay off the floor.  Referee Gary Ritter delivered a count and a wincing Terry convinced him to halt matters at 1:51 of round six.

Marrero’s lone career defeat came in August 2013 via decision against Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar for an interim WBA Featherweight belt.  

Jr. Middleweight Samuel Figueroa (6-0, 4 KO), 151 ¼, of Anasco, Puerto Rico, kept his undefeated record intact with a three-knockdown performance en route to a first round stoppage of 20-year old Malcolm Terry (6-5, 6 KO), 151 ½, of Memphis, Tennessee.  The referee was Gary Ritter.  It was Terry’s third knockout loss.  The official time of the stoppage was 1:38 of round one. 

Jr. Middleweight Samuel Figueroa (6-0, 4 KO), 151 ¼, of Anasco, Puerto Rico, kept his undefeated record intact with a three-knockdown performance en route to a first round stoppage of 20-year old Malcolm Terry (6-5, 6 KO), 151 ½, of Memphis, Tennessee.  The referee was Gary Ritter.  It was Terry’s third knockout loss.  

In the televised opener, 26-year old Ukrainian Middleweight prospect Ievgen Khytrov (7-0, 7 KO), 161, of Brooklyn, New York, knocked out 25-year old Louis Rose (11-2-1, 3 KO), 161, Lynwood, California at 2:35 of the first round.  The referee was Gary Ritter.

Khytrov, who finished matters with a right to the head, continues to turn heads as he builds on a successful amateur career.  Khytrov was the 2011 World Amateur Champion, defeating eventual 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Ryoto Murata for the honor.  Khytrov lost his shot at Olympic Gold with a loss to eventual Bronze Medalist Anthony Ogogo.

The card was broadcast on BeIn Sports and webcast on www.ironmikeprouctions.com , promoted by Iron Mike Promotions.

Cliff roldboxing@hotmail.com Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene and a member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at