By Rick Reeno

Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas - In the ShoBox televised headliner, Willie Nelson (18-1-1, 15KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated junior middleweight prospect Yudel Jhonson (12-1, 8KOs). Both fighters were down in the fight. The scores were 95-94, 97-92 and 97-92.

Jhonson briefly stunned Nelson in the second round, but Nelson came right back with a combination of punches to send Jhonson down on all fours. In the fourth round, a huge left hand put Nelson down hard on his back. Nelson surprised everyone by getting up to his feet. Jhonson nearly finished him off against the ropes. Nelson held on and made it to the bell.

At the end of the fifth, Nelson once again staggered Jhonson with a good combination. Both of them had their moments in the remaining rounds. Nelson, however, closed strong in the tenth and final round with several well-timed power shots on the button.

In a battle of undefeated super middleweight prospects, Badou Jack (11-0, 8KOs) won a close eight round split decision over Colombian boxer Alexander Brand (17-1, 15KOs). The scores were 77-75 for Jack, 77-75 for Brand and 77-75 for Jack. 

The fight had action. Brand pushed the pace with his wild, unorthodox style. Jack landed the better punches and did very well in timing Brand during their toe to toe exchanges. In a strange occurrence in the eight and final round, Brand's cup protector slipped out of his shorts and down to the left side of his leg. Referee Tony Weeks called time to allow Brand's corner to fix the problem. When the round resumed, the two unbeatens were throwing wild bombs and trying to knock each other out. Jack got the better of the final round fireworks.    

Roberto Acevedo (4-0, 3KOs) knocked out Martinez Porter (1-2) in the second round of a super middleweight bout. Acevedo dropped him in the second and then finished him off against the ropes with a variety of punches at 2:19.

Cruiserweight William Mitch Williams (4-2-1, 4KOs) demolished Carlos Gaytan (3-1-1, 3KOs) in the first round. A right hand buckled Gaytan in the opening seconds. Williams continued to batter Gaytan against the ropes until Robert Byrd waved it off.

Cuban light heavyweight prospect Yunieski Gonzalez (8-0, 5KOs) blasted overmatched Carlos Reyes (5-4-1, 3KOs) in a single round. A straight right hand sent Reyes down in the opening minute. Reyes was barely fighting back and it didn't take long for referee Tony Weeks to jump in and wave it off.

Tags: Yudel Jhonson , Willie Nelson , Badou Jack