Second-round knockdowns and body shots end cruiserweight main event in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki returned from a 15-month layoff with a second-round technical knockout of Gerardo Mellado Saturday night at Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Two knockdowns in the round forced the referee to stop the scheduled cruiserweight bout.
The victory keeps Rozicki active in the WBC cruiserweight title picture after a long spell away from the ring.
Rozicki started cautiously after the long break. Mellado came forward early and forced exchanges, landing a solid shot that reminded the Canadian contender he was back under the lights. Once Rozicki settled, he began stepping in behind his punches and pressing the action.
“I felt good in there,” Rozicki said after the fight. “Took me a round to adjust but I am ready for the world title fights. If I could, I would fight again tomorrow. He was a lot tougher than I expected. He hit very hard. We had a great fight.”
The finish came in the second round. Rozicki hurt Mellado, drove him toward the ropes, and began ripping combinations to the head and body. The first knockdown came when Mellado could no longer absorb the pressure along the ropes.
When the Chilean rose, Rozicki went right back to work. He set his feet and let the combinations go, digging to the body before sending Mellado down again, prompting the referee to wave it off.
Rozicki later described the moment he realized the ring rust had disappeared.
“I didn’t feel anything until he actually hit me, when I realized I was back in a fight again,” Rozicki said. “It was 15 months since I’d been hit with a solid punch with a real fight glove on and without wearing headgear.”
The Sydney native improves to 21-1-1 with 20 knockouts and continues his push toward a world title opportunity.
“I want to get right back in the ring,” Rozicki said. “My target right now is Noel Mikaelian for the WBC world title. He dodged fighting me five times. I’ve earned that shot and I would like to make it as soon as possible.”
Rozicki remains unbeaten in eight fights in Sydney and maintains one of the highest knockout ratios among cruiserweight contenders.
Undercard Results
In the co-feature, Brandon Brewer (29-4-3, 12 KOs) defeated Daniel Beaupre (6-3, 3 KOs) by eight-round unanimous decision in a bout contested at a 182-pound catchweight.
Welterweight prospect Dylan Taylor (5-0, 4 KOs) stayed unbeaten when Alex Nemeth (1-2) did not answer the bell for the fourth round.
Super welterweight Thomas MacAuley (1-0, 1 KO) made a successful debut, stopping Devin Turner (0-1) with a first-round knockout.