When Adrien Broner pulled out of his bout with Omar Figueroa Jr., it opened the door for Sergey Lipinets to leap into the highlight of the primary occasion of Saturday’s Showtime Championship Boxing card. Lipinets made essentially the most of that chance, dominating the combat and forcing Figueroa’s nook to cease the combat on the conclusion of eight rounds.
Figueroa was actually sport, popping out firing from the opening bell and trying to use fixed strain to Lipinets towards the ropes. That technique could have labored effectively towards Broner, a fighter who’s infamous for having suits of low offensive output. Towards Lipinets, it was a recipe for catastrophe.
Lipinets defended effectively as Figueroa flurried inside and used any house he might discover to take a seat down on heavy punches. It turned clear within the second spherical that Figueroa couldn’t reach a firefight when Lipinets linked with a heavy proper hand that resulted in a knockdown.
Figueroa, a former light-weight world champion, continued attempting to fireside away, however Lipinets calmly picked him aside with thudding photographs to the pinnacle and physique.
Because the rounds wore on, the combat appeared to empty from Figueroa and his nook took word, calling a halt to the combat after a tough eighth spherical for his or her man.
Lipinets unofficially landed 172 punches to only 44 for Figueroa. The way in which the combat performed out led to Figueroa, who additionally had his earlier combat finish in a nook stoppage, calling it a profession within the ring.
“I am simply disenchanted, you realize? We labored so freaking laborious,” Figueroa mentioned after the combat. “I assume my physique has reached its restrict. I have been doing this for 27 years and I put in work like by no means earlier than. … I labored my ass off, I promise you guys. However I assume my physique is simply achieved.
“[The change in opponent] is not any excuse. We labored our asses off and my physique simply could not do it. I believe I’ve reached the tip of the road right here with boxing. I believe it is simply had sufficient.”
Figueroa additionally famous that his daughter was born earlier within the day.
Lipinets picked up his first win since 2019, returning to 140 kilos, the place he is a a lot better match than he confirmed in his failed welterweight stint.