Brisbane: Leading boxing analyst Ben Savva questioned Diego Ramirez’s stomach for the fight after Max McIntyre’s knockout win on Friday night.
Exciting Queenslander McIntyre moved to 11-0 with 10 knockouts and retained his WBC Australasian super middleweight belt thanks to a heavy body shot at the end of the first round.
Diego Ramirez did not recover. Tasman Fighters
There was confusion as to whether McIntyre, 21, had hit Argentina’s Ramirez after the bell but after a long delay referee Phillip Holiday stopped the fight in the ‘Money Show’s’ favour.
“He felt the power and just wasn’t interested. Collect the purse. The reality is he could have fought on,” Savva said on Stan Sport.
Ramirez was a late replacement for Bohdan Sobol, the Ukrainian who withdrew after an injury in training.
“It’s a bit disappointing, I wanted to put on a better show for you guys,” McIntyre told his home crowd.
But McIntyre’s manager, Mick Francis, didn’t want to slip the boot into Ramirez, considering the circumstances.
“We had a guy from Ukraine, 20 and 1, great opponent, broke his ribs four weeks ago. This guy stepped in, credit to him. The Money Show had to carry on, but mate, it feels amazing again, he didn’t give that guy a chance.
“His record’s better than what he suggests. So he can actually fight, but Max didn’t give him an inch. This guy is going to go all the way. He’s only 21 years old. Mate, I can’t wait for the future.
“We have offered every single super middleweight in Australia. No-one’s come up with a call.”
Max McIntyre retained his belt. Tasman Fighters
It was a shame for the sellout crowd at Fortitude Music Hall, but the punters enjoyed a quality co-main event in which Danny Keating prevailed over Jyl Wright in a unanimous points decision.
MORE TO COME…