WBA middleweight champion Rob Brant stops Khasan Baysangurov

WBA middleweight champion Rob “Bravo” Brant (25-1, 17 KO’s) thrilled his hometown crowd with a KO 11 over previously undefeated Khasan Baysangurov (17-1, 7 KO’s) in his first title defense on Friday night at the Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota. Brant is a busy, volume punching, fan-friendly fighter. After the bout there was talk of a rematch in Japan with Ryota Murata, perhaps an Australian gig against Jeff Horn or the winner of Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs. There are a lot of options for the likeable, Minnesota-born, Texas-residing champion.

Televised support bouts

California-born, Colorado Springs-residing, NABF female super featherweight Mikaela Mayer (10-0, 4 KO’s) won a UD 8 over Yareli Larios (13-2-1, 3 KO’s). Yareli’s father, former two-division world champion, Oscar Larios, was working his daughter’s corner.

Chicago prospect, bantamweight Joshua Greer Jr., now living and training in California, (20-1-1, 12 KO’s) scored a KO 8 over Giovanni Escaner (19-4, 12 KO’s). After the fight Greer said he was looking to a title fight in 2019. The win was Greer’s 17th straight win after a back-to-back draw and loss in 2015.

ESPN + Undercard

Steven Nelson W6 Felipe Romero (175-pounds)

Ismail Muwendo W8 Hevinson Herrera (135-pounds)

Tyler Howard W8 Cristian Olivas (160-pounds)

Lennox Allen W 10 Derrick Webster (168-pounds).

Ismail Muwendo W 6 Hevinson Herrera (135-pounds).

Joe James W UD 4 Demetrius Wilson (140 pounds)

Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank