Hebert Conceição survives knockdown, outpoints Johan Gonzalez in Newark thrillerHebert Conceição survives knockdown scare, stays unbeaten in wild ProBoxTV main event thriller

Main Event Drama: Conceição rallies after early shock

WBO #15-ranked Hebert Conceição Sousa (11-0, 5 KOs) of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, survived a temporary scare to outpoint dangerous knockout puncher Johan Gonzalez (36-5, 34 KOs) via unanimous decision.

Fighting in the 10-round middleweight main event of ProBoxTV’s “The Contender Series” from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey—presented by Thomas LaManna (Rising Star Promotions) and Garry Jonas—Gonzalez stunned the 2020 Olympic gold medalist early.

A perfectly timed right hand from Gonzalez dropped Conceição for a flash knockdown midway through round three, briefly shifting momentum in favor of the heavy-handed veteran.

But Gonzalez failed to capitalize.

To his credit, Conceição righted the ship, made adjustments and never really struggled again while winning by the scores of 96-93 on two cards and 95-94 on the third in a world-class game of cat and mouse.

Co-Main Event: Veron edges Garcia in gritty battle

In the 10-round co-feature, Francisco Daniel Veron (17-1-1, 10 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina, scored a unanimous decision over Raul Garcia (15-3-1, 12 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

A chippy super welterweight encounter between rock-solid veterans, Veron’s faster hands and feet forced Garcia out of his game plan repeatedly, round after round, giving him a slight advantage in a well-fought battle.

The taller Veron had too many offensive weapons for the cruder but always game Garcia, who never stopped trying.

Garcia hurt Veron in round nine and had a strong round 10, but Veron managed to stay cool, and hinder Garcia’s follow-up, to coast to a unanimous decision win by scores of 97-93, 98-92 and 98-92.

Blood ends promising clash in No Contest

In the 10-round super featherweight bout, William Foster III (19-3, 11 KOs) and Joshafat Ortiz (13-3, 6 KOs) fought to a bloody “No Contest” after three competitive rounds.

Spoiling a strong matchup, both men were cut by an accidental headbutt in round two. The bout intensified briefly before the ringside physician advised referee Earl Brown to stop the fight after round three, as four full rounds had not been completed.

Split decision thriller: Chance survives late rally

Bantamweight prospect Emmanuel Chance (4-0, 1 KO) of East Orange, New Jersey, earned a razor-thin split decision over Angel Munoz (3-3, 2 KOs).

Chance looked dominant early, dropping Munoz with a straight left in round two. But Munoz roared back, landing sharp right hands and surging late—nearly stealing the fight in a dramatic sixth round.

Despite a 106-85 edge in punches landed, the judges scored it 58-56 Munoz, overruled by two scores of 57-56 for Chance. Without the knockdown, the fight would have been a draw.

Rising prospect Gainous scores statement stoppage

In a six-round super middleweight prelim, Erick Kedar Gainous (9-0, 6 KOs) of Detroit scored a third-round TKO over Alejandro Ibarra (8-4, 2 KOs).

After a dominant opening round, Gainous rocked Ibarra with a crushing right uppercut in round two, opening a cut between the eyes. He followed up with relentless pressure, forcing Ibarra’s corner to send him out for round three—only for referee Richard Gonzalez to wave it off at 2:48 after sustained punishment.

Newark’s Colon shines with explosive first-round finish

In the televised opener, hometown featherweight Keith Colon (10-0, 10 KOs) delivered a statement performance, stopping Luis Almendarez Morales (8-5-1, 3 KOs) in the first round.

After dominating early, Colon dropped Almendarez Morales with a right hand with 30 seconds remaining. Referee Richard Gonzalez quickly halted the bout at 2:38 of the opening round.