In the first fight of Saturday, cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs) got a win over Armend Xhoxhaj (14-3, 7 KOs) in the fifth round in England. Xhoxhaj got off to a good start, but Billam-Smith finished him off with a set of punches that knocked him out.
In the next one, still undefeated Mexican welterweight Raul Curiel (12-0, 10 KOs) of Tamaulipas, Mexico scored a spectacular second-round knockout over Louisiana's Brad Solomon (29-6, 9 KOs) at California. Curiel drilled Solomon with a left and an overhand right, sending him to the canvas. Solomon got to his knees, but referee Ray Corona called a ten count at 44 seconds into round two.
Additionally, on Showtime, Frank Martin (17-0, 12 KOs) ended 2022 with a convincing victory against Michel Rivera (24-1, 14 KOs), taking a unanimous decision win after 12 rounds in a fight that was never truly in doubt. Martin was declared the winner by a unanimous vote of 117-110, 118-109, and 120-107. Because the contest was a WBA eliminator, Martin would be eligible for a crack at one of the titles now held by Devin Haney.
Image Credit: Sky Sports