By: Sean Crose

Boxing Insider Promotions delivered an exhilarating evening of boxing action on Thursday at the iconic Sony Hall, located in the bustling heart of midtown Manhattan. The night kicked off with an exciting junior welterweight bout featuring the 1-1 Jason Castanon against the 0-2 Stephen Barbee. From the very start, both fighters were keen to establish control over the distance. Barbee, notably shorter, demonstrated impressive aggression as he pressed forward during the last minute of the opening round. In the second round, both fighters remained active, although they struggled to land significant punches, each searching meticulously for that crucial opening to deliver a decisive strike.

The atmosphere intensified in the third round as both fighters understood the urgency of the situation, given that the bout was limited to four rounds. Barbee appeared to be the more proactive fighter, seeking to capitalize on every opportunity. As the final round commenced, both fighters adopted a more tactical approach; Barbee moved in with determination while Castanon effectively utilized his jab to keep Barbee at bay. When the final bell rang, the judges ultimately favored Castanon, awarding him a majority decision victory, which showcased the competitive spirit and skill of both athletes.

The excitement continued to build as the undefeated Koby Khalil Williams, boasting a record of 4-0, faced off against the equally unbeaten Nicholas Isaac, who entered the ring at 5-0, in a six-round lightweight showdown. Isaac showcased his boxing prowess early on, executing a sharp first round characterized by precise jabs and effective body shots that kept Williams at a distance. The second round saw Isaac maintaining this momentum, leveraging his reach to control the bout’s pace. Although the third round saw a slight decrease in action, Williams managed to land a few jabs. Frustratingly for Williams, the fourth round proved challenging as he struggled to penetrate Isaac’s defense, which remained sound despite Isaac’s sporadic offensive output.

As the fifth round unfolded, both fighters increased their intensity, delivering more significant blows in an effort to gain an edge. The sixth round presented Williams with a crucial opportunity to break through Isaac’s defenses and secure the victory he so desperately sought. Despite a brief moment where Williams went down—though not ruled a knockdown—he regrouped and managed to finish the round strongly. However, after the judges’ decision, it was clear that Isaac would leave the ring with another win, triumphing by unanimous decision and further solidifying his undefeated status.

Anticipation reached a fever pitch as the main event approached, featuring the highly regarded 16-0 welterweight Avious Griffin going head-to-head with the 14-4-1 Jose Luis Sanchez in a ten-round contest, with the prestigious WBC USA welterweight title on the line. Griffin, trained by the legendary “Bomac” McIntyre, entered the ring amidst considerable fanfare and expectations. Meanwhile, Sanchez was determined to upset the odds and make a statement against the undefeated champion.

From the very first round, Griffin demonstrated his intent by focusing on body shots, setting the tone for the fight. Midway through the round, a well-executed combination sent Sanchez to the canvas. Despite the knockdown, the resilient fighter from New Mexico quickly rose and engaged Griffin in fierce exchanges. In the second round, a perfectly timed overhand right from Griffin once again put Sanchez down, yet he showcased remarkable heart by beating the count. As the round progressed, Sanchez found himself on the canvas again, but he managed to rise once more, raising questions about his limits against Griffin’s relentless offense.

In the third round, Sanchez managed to land several solid punches, yet Griffin’s strength, accuracy, and focus proved too overwhelming for the valiant competitor. Although Sanchez showed marked improvement in the fourth round, Griffin patiently awaited the perfect moment to deliver a knockout blow. As the fifth round unfolded, Sanchez fought valiantly and found some success, but Griffin’s powerful shots were unyielding and appeared to land with great frequency. By the sixth round, it was evident that Sanchez was demonstrating exceptional resilience, absorbing blows while maintaining a determined forward momentum.

As the fight progressed toward the seventh round, it became increasingly clear that Sanchez’s toughness was bordering on extraordinary. Despite being knocked down and suffering numerous powerful shots, he continued to press forward. However, the bout reached its conclusion in the eighth round. Although Sanchez did not go down and showed no signs of quitting, the referee wisely decided to halt the fight, recognizing that Sanchez’s admirable toughness may have been to his detriment in this instance.