Highlights
–Murat Gassiev pressed the action from the opening bell, cutting off the ring and shooting right hands intermittently.
–Although Gassiev was the aggressor, southpaw Isiah Thomas landed the more impactful shots, scoring with his jab before following up with sharp left hands.
–Gassiev hit Thomas as Round 3 ended, then landed another potent right hand after the bell. Referee Jay Nady declared Thomas unable to continue, and the fight ended as a no contest.
Isiah Thomas got his bell rung by Murat Gassiev after the bell rung, resulting in a no contest after three rounds in a fight between still-unbeaten 200-pound prospects.
Gassiev pressed the action early, patiently yet steadily walking Thomas down and firing right hands.
But the southpaw Thomas, with a four-inch reach advantage, worked skillfully behind his jab, diffusing Gassiev’s charge and then whacking him with left hands over the first two rounds.
Gassiev began to assert himself and landed a strong right hand as Round 3 came to an end, but then the Russian blasted Thomas again after the bell, sending the Detroit native teetering against the ropes as referee Jay Nady jumped in.
After Thomas returned to his corner, Nady declared him unable to continue and ruled the bout a no contest.
Murat Gassiev hits Isiah Thomas after the conclusion of the third round as referee Jay Nady rushes in. (Jann Hendry/Premier Boxing Champions)
