Saturday night in Orlando, Florida, saw a dynamic boxing event featuring rising stars and triumphant returns. Austin "Ammo" Williams secured a defining victory, while Edgar Berlanga bounced back with a thunderous first-round knockout.

Williams Victorious in Middleweight Clash

Austin "Ammo" Williams (18-1, 12 KOs) earned the most significant win of his career, capturing a unanimous decision (118-110, 116-112, 115-113) against Canada's Patrice Volny (19-2, 13 KOs). The victory secured Williams the WBA Continental Americas championship in their middleweight contender battle. Williams, who entered the fight ranked No. 7 by the WBA, is now eyeing a future title shot against WBA middleweight champion, Erislandy Lara of Cuba.

The fight saw Volny landing cleaner, more impactful shots, but Williams' relentless work rate and combinations proved decisive. Volny, often fighting behind a tight guard, struggled to match Williams' pace. Williams' corner urged him to maintain a high tempo, a strategy that ultimately overwhelmed Volny. Williams himself acknowledged his strategic approach, stating, "This is what we trained for... I had to beat him strategically." This win marks a significant improvement for Williams, who has been criticized for flaws in past performances. He demonstrated tightened defense and crucial adjustments to secure the hard-fought victory.

Berlanga's Explosive Comeback

Edgar Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) made a statement with a first-round TKO victory over Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz (20-1-1, 16 KOs). This was Berlanga's first fight since his loss to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in September. Berlanga unleashed a devastating left hook that floored Gonzalez-Ortiz. Although Gonzalez-Ortiz rose quickly, a subsequent three-punch combination sent him down again, leading the referee to halt the contest.

In his post-fight interview, Berlanga, now a free agent, called out several high-profile opponents, including Jaime Munguia, Jermall Charlo, Caleb Plant, and Alvarez for a rematch. Berlanga, however, missed weight by 1.6 pounds, making him ineligible to win the vacant WBO NABO super middleweight title, which was supposed to be at stake.

Olympian's Successful Pro Debut

2024 Olympic bronze medalist Omari Jones (1-0, 1 KO) made a triumphant professional debut, securing a second-round TKO victory over Alessio Mastronunzio (14-6, 4 KOs). Jones, nicknamed "The Banger," displayed sharp combinations from the opening bell, repeatedly landing his right hand on Mastronunzio's chin. A four-punch combination early in the second round forced the referee to stop the fight.

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, Jones' promoter, announced that Jones would return to the ring in just four weeks on the undercard of the Jaron "Boots" Ennis vs. Eimantas Stanionis fight on April 12.

Other Notable Results

• Super lightweight: Jamaine Ortiz def. Yomar Alamo via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 99-91)

Beltway Boxing Project: A Transatlantic Exchange

Beyond the electrifying fights in Orlando, boxing also serves as a bridge between communities, as exemplified by the Belfast-Beltway Boxing Project. This initiative connects young boxers from the Washington DC area with their peers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, fostering cultural exchange and promoting both physical and mental well-being. Young boxers from Diamonds in the Ruff boxing gym in Forestville, MD, recently traveled to County Mayo, Ireland, to train and socialize with members of Ardoyne Holy Cross Boxing Club.

The program, founded in 2007 by Emmanuel Quinn, emphasizes cultural exchange and mental health awareness. Quinn's father, Charles, established the Ardoyne club to address suicide rates among young men in Belfast. The project organizes the annual Belfast-Beltway Boxing Classic as a major fundraiser. The young participants underscored the benefits of sparring with boxers from different backgrounds and experiencing new cultures. The coaches also expressed how they learned from the kids and can bridge the gap between different age groups. Although the weather was not always ideal, the young boxers agreed that the trip was a worthwhile experience.