From the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Jessie Magdaleno failed to defend his WBO super bantamweight title against Isaac Dogboe in the main event of a Top Rank card.
Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KO) and Dogboe (18-0, 12 KO) were both unbeaten, and had talked a pretty good game coming into this fight. Magdaleno lifted the belt from Nonito Donaire in November 2016, and had defended once. Dogboe last fought in January, stopping Cesar Juarez. This was the Ghanaian Dogboe’s first fight in the United States since 2015.
I'm Gary Al-Smith, and I'll will be bringing round by round updates here once the fight begins after the undercards, which are ongoing. All times GMT, Sunday, April 29.
Please refresh this page every few minutes for latest updates.
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12:46am
The last undercard between Philly native Jesse Hart and Demond Nicholson is done. Hart wins. We are almost there, people!
12:49am
Fight commentators are slamming Dogboe's camp for the trash talk in the lead up to the fight. Paul Dogboe, Isaac's dad, had made some really unsavory comments about beating Magdaleno and throwing him across the Mexican wall! It's a comment that has really fired up the Mexican community, although Dogboe Snr has apologised.
12:50am
The Dogboes - Isaac and Paul - are inside the locker rooms and charging up. Dogboe Snr is going through the punch motions with his 23-year-old son.
12:54am
Here at Joy Sports HQ, we've had some serious build-up to this bout. Check this tactical piece where we see how the Ghanaian can win.
12:55am
It's time! The fighters will come into the ring soon. This is the tale of the tape.
Ready?
12:57
And Dogboe comes in. He does so with an elaborate, native victory hymn. Beautiful. Of course he's got beads around his neck, as are his whole entourage.
Almost there.
1:03am
The fight begins. Ring announcer is Lupe Contreras.
1:04am
Round one - And Dogboe is down! The Ghanaian is knocked down by a vicious combo by the Mexican. It's the Ghanaian's first ever career knockdown. Magdaleno was taking a flurry from Dogboe, he waited it out and launched a well-timed three punch combination that sent Dogboe down.
But he gets up after the count. Our score: Magdaleno 10-8 Dogboe
1:06am
Round one is done. Main event is Dogboe going down but he recovered well as he was forced to open up and punch, just like we advised in our preview.
1:08am
Second round begins. Stats show that Jessie has already landed 18 power punches. This second round sees both fighters checking each other out, and being cautious. But Dogboe suddenly burst into life and launched a series of power punches. Positive stuff from the Ghanaian, as he lands a wide-sweeping right hand. Dogboe seems to have a small swelling but he isn't bothered.
1:09am
Round two over. Good stuff from both, especially Dogboe. Reminder that Dogboe went down in the first round after walking into a hook from Magdaleno. Our score: Magdaleno 9-10 Dogboe
1:10am
Round three begins. Yet another fesity round, with both boxers not afraid to punch. A real give-and-take affair. The officials will find it tough to call these first four rounds so far. But we suspect the first over will definitely go to. Our score: Magdaleno 9-10 Dogboe
1:12
Round 4. Nothing major, just another slugfest. Our score: Magdaleno 9-10 Dogboe
Round 5 begins. A few body shots from both boxers. And Dogboe knocks Magdaleno down! What a flurry. Dogboe completely took Jessie by surprise and didn't see that shot coming, as he let himself wide open. We didn't either.
And Magdaleno is on the ropes! But the Mexican quickly clears his head and gets into the center of the ring. Now, it's back to give and take. Dogboe is NOT fighting like a challenger. He's fighting like the champion. Round five ends, and definitely the mental side of the fight goes to the man from Anyako. Brilliant. Our score: Magdaleno 8-10 Dogboe
1:22am
During the break, Magdaleno's corner was consistently asking him to NOT open up, something he's been guilty off. He's also been a bit jaded from the Ghanaian's blows in round 5. But we gotta give both fighters credit - they do have heart.
1:25am
Round 6 - Isaac Dogboe continues from where he left off, as Magdaleno looks shaky. Dogboe is simply delivering body shots, and mentally the Ghanaian is on the up. Last two rounds definitely for Dogboe, as he takes jabs and pot shots at the reigning champion. Magdaleno must stop being on the ropes if he wants points to go his way. Round 6 ends, we call it for Dogboe. Magdaleno 9-10 Dogboe
Overall score for us Dogboe winning this 58-54 so far. Come on Dogboe!
1:26am
Don't take your eyes off this fight, as both fighters have gone down for the first time in their careers. In Jessie's case, he's been knocked down for the first time, whether pro or amateur.
1:28am
Round 7 - Dogboe begins strongly and the Mexican is not doing much by way of responding. In fact, Isaac is using his host as target practice; a series of one-two-three jabs that are not being responded to. In the final 20 seconds, Magdaleno probably notices that this round is also getting away from him, so he becomes aggressive. But Dogboe just sizes him up and takes it in, and keeps the bout in the ring center. Ref calls an end to this round. Our score: Magdaleno 9-10 Dogboe (Overall: 68-63)
1:30am
Ghanaian contingent in this 10,200 seater shout their lungs out to help Dogboe. Chants of "Ghana, Ghana, oseeeey yieeee...."
1:35am
Round 8 - Good left from Jessie. Dogboe stalking though. Good body work, another right to the head from Dogboe. Magdaleno ties him up to get off the ropes. Jessie on the ropes again, again he ties up. At least he’s tying up now. Magdaleno moving and working better this round. He’s landing a little more. Right hand from Dogboe chops in as Jessie comes forward. Magdaleno with a little left. Right hand from Dogboe again. Magdaleno was better this round, but I still think Isaac had the better shots landed. Magdaleno 9-10 Dogboe
1:38am
Round 9 - Magdaleno still moving better, like last round. It’s keeping him in the argument now, at least. And he’s tying up more instead of letting Dogboe unload. And staying off the ropes. This is more Jessie’s style, giving him more opportunities. Wide left hand from Magdaleno misses. But he’s controlling the tempo at this moment. Dogboe looking for one right hand. Magdaleno not giving him the opening anymore. So there are some good adjustments here, and if judges have it closer than I do, it might be huge. Dogboe not throwing near as much this round. Uneventful round, which favors Jessie. Magdaleno 10-9, Dogboe. Overall: 87-82
Round 11: Dogboe looking to start hot again this round, and I think he stung him again early here. Dogboe just coming right at him, furiously. Magdaleno caught with a shot and goes down again, complaining that he was hit low. Loudly complaining. Dogboe RUSHES at him after action resumes. Another body shot from Dogboe. Jessie in the corner again. Body shot again. Magdaleno down a third time on a left hook and IT IS OVER!
Isaac Dogboe knocks Jessie Magdaleno down and Ghana has a new boxing world champion!
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CHECK OUT: Dogboe, the champion who never forgets his manners, his roots, and his God
READ: Joy Sports bout summary - Dogboe v Magdaleno
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