Gabriel Rosado edges Joshua Clottey; Vyacheslav Shabranskyy out-slugs Yunieski Gonzalez

VERONA, N.Y. - Gabriel Rosado finally earned a meaningful victory.

The Philadelphian, who hadn't won since 2012, scored a unanimous decision victory over Joshua Clottey on Saturday at Turning Stone Resort & Casino. Scores were 97-93, 96-94 and 97-93 for the middleweight bout (catchweight of 158 pounds), part of an HBO Latino show. Paste BN Sports scored it 96-94 for Clottey.

"It has been more than a year since I have been in the ring, so I did feel a little rust, but I feel like this fight really helped me shake it off," Rosado, 29, said. "Clottey is a tough opponent, former world champion, definitely a challenge for me in my first fight back, but I think that training with Fernando (Vargas) really helped me.

"I listened to him, made sure to do what he told me and focused on my hand speed. I think that I delivered an entertaining fight tonight and I was happy with my performance. I have great respect for Joshua Clottey, he is great fighter, an African warrior. I am ready for my next big challenge, I would like a shot at Canelo next."

Rosado started slow, with Clottey able to repeatedly connect on big lead left hooks. However, the 29-year-old came on over in the second half, and used his superior size to his advantage.

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The fight appeared to be on the table in Round 10, and Rosado landed a nice short right hand on the inside that jolted Clottey back. Many of the latter rounds were tough to score, but judges preferred Rosado's superior output. He landed 166 of 791 shots (21%), while Clottey connected on 133 of 455 (29%).

"This was an off night for me," Clottey, 38, said. "I do think that the fans enjoyed the fight; we are both fighters that do not like to back down. However, I don't feel comfortable at this weight class, I want to go back down to 154 and continue to fight at junior middleweight."

This was Clottey's first fight on American television since a dreadful performance against Manny Pacquiao in 2010, and just his fifth fight since. He once held the IBF welterweight title after a TKO of Zab Judah, and fought on even terms with Miguel Cotto in a split-decision loss.

Rosado was reeling from a four-fight losing streak, with three of them knockouts. But with the victory, he figures for a meaningful bout in 2016.

Shabranskyy outlasts Gonzalez in slugfest: Vyacheslav Shabranskyy scored the biggest win of his career, a majority decision victory over Yunieski Gonzalez in an upset. Scores were 95-95, 97-93 and 98-92.

Gonzalez was coming off a controversial decision loss to Jean Pascal in a surprising performance, but couldn't capitalize. Shabranskyy, who was dropped twice in a win over Paul Parker in his last outing, set himself up well in the loaded light heavyweight division.

"If Andre Ward wants to take the fight, we'll do it," said Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez. "What really surprised me was his chin because he was hurt in his last fight. He took some big punches and he was in shape. I'd love to do that fight with Andre Ward, especially after the long layoff."

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Shabranskyy (15-0, 12 KOs) and Gonzalez slugged it out on the inside for the majority of the fight, with the Ukrainian getting the better of most exchanges. He landed the cleaner, harder shots, and hurt Gonzalez on several occasions. He punctuated the fight with a big flurry with a dazed Gonzalez in the corner.

According to CompuBox, Shabranskyy landed 261 of 821 shots (32%). Gonzalez connected on 178 of 603 (30%).

"I feel great,"said Shabranskyy, 28. "This fight is the most important and most exciting fight of my career. I did feel a lot of Gonzalez' punches, but I also feel like I hurt him, especially in this last round he was beginning to sway. If I had a little more time I feel I would have knocked him out. I am very happy to have won and now on to celebrate the holidays and have some ice cream."

Gonzalez (16-2, 12 KOs) had his moments and took the shots well, but could never get into a rhythm. The 30-year-old has now lost two consecutive bouts.

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"I knew that this was going to be a war and that is what we delivered tonight," said Gonzalez, 30. "We both gave it our all and didn't let up. I knew that I needed to knock him out to win this fight but he was more resilient than I thought and didn't open up enough for the knockout to happen. I did know the fight was very close and should have been a draw in my opinion. I would like the opportunity to fight him again and prove that I am the better fighter.

Gamboa returns with wide-decision win over Williams: Yuriorkis Gamboa, fighting on an HBO show for the first time since June 2014, was sharp during a unanimous decision win over Hylon Williams Jr.

Gamboa, who won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 98-92, was in control from the opening bell during the lightweight bout.

"It feels good to be back in the ring. I trained in Cuba, and I feel that all the hard work paid off," Gamboa, 33, said. "I was faster and stronger in the ring, and I just want to thank SMS Promotions for the opportunity. I know I dominated the action tonight, I made sure he knew I was in control from the first round. Once I established control, I let him run around. I am not upset that this fight went all 10 rounds; in fact, I am glad because I know everyone was able to see my power."

Gamboa, a former two-division champion, was able to cracks Williams with shots at will, and escape harm's way before his foe could return with an attack. Gamboa slowed down during the second half of the bout, but Williams simply isn't on his level. Gamboa landed 137 of 572 shots (24%), while Williams connected on 64 of 343 (19%).

"I felt good about the pace of the fight, I know I hurt him a few times, but I am fine," Williams said. "I don't feel hurt at all. I think this fight should have gone my way, I feel I was ahead."

The bout was contested at a catchweight of 133 pounds, and it's unclear if Gamboa will compete at 130 or 135 going forward.

(Photo by Alex Menendez-HoganPhotos/Golden Boy Promotions)