Mikie Tallon needed just 91 seconds to stop Orlando Pino, landing a left hook to the liver that sent the Venezuelan to the canvas at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia. The 21-year-old undefeated super-flyweight forced Pino onto his heels early before delivering the decisive blow.
Tallon Surprised by Quick Finish
Referee Koji Tanaka started a count, but Pino never looked like beating it, and the fight was waved off. Tallon admitted he expected the bout to last longer. "Yeah, one hundred per cent [I thought it would go longer]," Tallon said. "I thought I might get him out of there with a body shot, but in round five or six. But you're not getting up from them. That's definitely one of the best shots of my career. We have been practising it in the changing rooms just then. Tapping away and finding that little spot, and we found it. He spat out his gumshield, so I knew he wasn't getting up."
Turki Al-Sheikh Backs Tallon
Zuffa Boxing chief Turki Al-Sheikh revealed after the fight that he will continue to support Tallon's quest to become a world champion. "I have believed in Reito Tsutsumi and Mikie Tallon from the beginning and I will continue to support their quests to become world champions," he said. "Look for them both on my next big fight card."
Joe McGrail Signs New Matchroom Deal
Joe McGrail has signed a new, long-term deal with Matchroom Boxing as he plots his path to winning major titles. The 23-year-old, younger brother of Peter McGrail, makes his return to the ring in September when he takes on the undefeated Matthew Boreland for the WBA Continental Gold belt. The fight is part of the undercard of Katie Taylor's showdown against France's undefeated Floran Pili in front of an anticipated crowd of 80,000 at Croke Park on September 5.
McGrail, an Everton Red Triangle fighter, expressed his excitement. "I'm made up to have signed a new long-term deal with Matchroom Boxing," he said. "I had a very testing time with injuries last year but Matchroom stood by me. I am very grateful to Frank Smith, Eddie Hearn and my manager Anto Fitzpatrick for their support. I'm fighting fit again and feeling stronger than ever. And I am ready to repay their support in the ring. That begins on September 5, live on DAZN. It will be a huge night on the Katie Taylor undercard, when I face an unbeaten Matthew Boreland for the WBA Continental Gold title in front of 80,000 fans at Croke Park. I fully expect that victory to be the first of many belts that come my way. And I am really excited for what the future holds."
