In a captivating evening of boxing held in London, rising heavyweight talent Soloman Dacres marked a triumphant return to form, securing a unanimous decision victory against the formidable Vladyslav Sirenko. This compelling bout was part of an exciting undercard leading up to the highly anticipated Usyk-Dubois II main event at Wembley Stadium. Dacres' strategic and powerful performance left no doubt among the judges, extending his professional record. The night also saw impressive displays from other promising fighters, including Aadam Hamed, whose performance continued to build on his burgeoning career, and Lasha Guruli, an Olympic semi-finalist, who delivered a decisive stoppage win. These preliminary fights set a vibrant tone for the main event, highlighting the depth of talent within the sport.
The London boxing scene bore witness to Soloman Dacres' impressive outing against Vladyslav Sirenko. The scorecard tallies, reflecting 99-91, 98-92, and 99-92 in Dacres' favor, underscored his dominance. Sirenko, despite his imposing 6-foot-4 frame and prior unbeaten record, struggled to impose his will. Early in the fight, Sirenko attempted to leverage his jab and set up right-hand counters, but Dacres skillfully navigated the ring, countering effectively and maintaining control. A notable right uppercut from Dacres punctuated the first round, signaling his intent.
As the second round commenced, Dacres exuded confidence, unleashing a flurry of punches. While momentarily caught by a Sirenko right hand due to a dropped guard, the Englishman quickly regained his composure. The third round saw Dacres elevate his aggression, landing numerous right hands that resulted in a nosebleed for Sirenko. Sirenko’s performance appeared static and predictable, displaying signs of fatigue by the fourth round. Dacres capitalized on this, opening the fifth with forceful left hooks and right hands, consistently landing against Sirenko's persistent, albeit ineffective, forward advances.
Despite absorbing significant punishment, Sirenko showed remarkable resilience, refusing to yield. His relentless forward momentum, characterized by a steady stream of right hands, prompted questions about Dacres' stamina, though the Englishman ultimately proved capable of fending him off. The eighth round saw a slight increase in urgency from Sirenko, but Dacres maintained his tactical advantage. Referee Bob Williams had a relatively uneventful night, as the contest, though competitive, remained clean. In the tenth and final round, Dacres continued to connect with both hands, frequently finding openings in Sirenko’s defense, ensuring a clear victory on the judges' scorecards.
Adding to the evening's excitement, Aadam Hamed, the son of boxing icon ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed, secured a victory over Ezequiel Gregores in a junior welterweight contest. This four-round bout, while not filled with explosive moments, demonstrated Hamed’s composure and technical ability. Under the guidance of trainer Jamie Moore, the southpaw Hamed effectively utilized his straight left. Gregores, with a modest professional record, found himself outmatched, struggling to land any significant blows. Hamed, with his father watching from ringside, appeared calm and collected, using his rangy jab to control the distance and accumulate rounds. He concluded the fight with a 40-36 victory on Amy Pugh’s scorecard, advancing his unbeaten record to 6-0.
The Wembley undercard also showcased the talent of Olympic semi-finalist Lasha Guruli, who delivered an emphatic fifth-round stoppage of James Francis. Guruli, a 28-year-old from Georgia, improved his record to 2-0, with Francis dropping to 7-2. From the outset, Guruli pressed the action, closing the distance and landing impactful left hooks and straight rights in the first round. He continued his assault in the second, utilizing a sharp right uppercut and forcing Francis onto the back foot, causing Francis’s nose to bleed. The pattern persisted into the fourth round, with Guruli consistently jolting Francis’s head. Ultimately, Francis's corner withdrew him from the fight at the start of the fifth round, marking a significant step up in competition that he was unable to meet. This junior welterweight clash served as a thrilling opener for the evening’s main event.
The event highlighted the ongoing development within the sport, with emerging talents like Dacres, Hamed, and Guruli demonstrating their potential on a grand stage. The tactical masterclass from Dacres, the composed performance by Hamed, and Guruli's decisive victory collectively contributed to a memorable night for boxing enthusiasts, setting a high standard for the main event to follow.