March 2, 2024
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) defeated late-replacement opponent Charles Stanford (7-6, 4 KOs) in Saturday’s undercard at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Ali Walsh, now training with Ismael Salas, was returning to the ESPN airwaves after his upset loss against Sona Akale last August. Stanford took the fight on Tuesday when Ali Walsh’s original opponent, Luke Iannuccilli, was unable to compete.
Ali Walsh controlled the early rounds, pressing forward with his jab and getting ahead on the scorecards based on his volume punching. He sought to land his right hand off the jab, which didn’t always land – but that didn’t deter Ali Walsh’s confidence to throw it.
Stanford proved tough, making himself a difficult target to hit. He had good success with a counter right hand and left hook, and despite having fought (and lost) just two weeks ago, he didn’t tire in Saturday’s bout.
At the end of the fourth round, Stanford threw a left hook at the bell and fell, but it was correctly ruled a slip. Stanford slowed down Ali Walsh’s punch volume in the late rounds with his counterpunching, and Ali Walsh got a bit too comfortable following Stanford around the ring instead of cutting it off.
Stanford’s best rounds were the final two – including the sixth, when he landed several big right-hand counters.
The fight was scored 59-55, 60-54, 60-54, all for Ali Walsh.
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