By: Sean Crose
Detroit
Boxing returned to Detroit Saturday night as local star Claressa Shields defended her undisputed middleweight title against Maricela Cornejo. First, however, middleweight boxer Antonio Todd, 14-7, took on Joseph Hicks 6-0 in a scheduled eight-round bout. Hicks had a strong first goal and it looked like his men were injured a bit late in the half. The second match showed the fact that Hicks was clearly the stronger of the two fighters.
In season three, it looks like Hicks has really brought his man down. Indeed, Todd, although playing quite well, seems to have been defeated. Perhaps a bit too much, Hicks pushed Todd to the mat in the fourth round. However, Todd deserves credit for fighting so hard. No problem. Hicks appeared to have injured his opponent in the fifth round. Todd is tough, but can he get to the bell? The action slows down a bit in season six. Hicks continued to throw and land well into the seventh inning. Todd may not be knocked out, but Hicks is doing great anyway.
The eighth and final round offer essentially more of the same thing. However, Hicks did more than enough to win. The referees apparently agreed, awarding Hicks a unanimous decision victory after the final bell rang.
