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Blue Corner Promotions returned to The
Fillmore on Saturday night (July 25, 2026) for "Independence Brawl,"
an 11-bout card featuring rising prospects, hometown favorites and a
championship main event. The evening was capped by Hawaiian native
Shera Mae Patricio capturing the WBA Gold Bantamweight Championship,
while Johnny Rivera, Tyhler Williams, Jacklyne McTamney and Blue
Corner Promotions’ first officially signed fighter, Ali Ellis, all
delivered standout performances.
Timur Homitov opened the evening with a
unanimous decision over Jaylen Green. After Green declined Homitov’s
offer to touch gloves before the opening bell, Homitov remained
composed, controlling the action behind a sharp jab and disciplined
footwork. A fourth-round knockdown punctuated the performance as all
three judges returned identical 40-35 scorecards.
RESULT: Timur Homitov W4 (U) Jaylen Green Homitov: 3-0, 0 KOs
Justin Litz stopped Maurice Morris at 1:37
of the third round after an entertaining back-and-forth battle. Both
fighters landed heavy shots early before Litz gradually took
control, scoring multiple knockdowns before referee Eric Dali
stepped in to halt the contest.
BRISCOE RETURNS WITH QUICK TKO Billy Briscoe needed just one round to stop
John Brewer, after a 20-month layoff. Following an early exchange of
power shots, Briscoe landed a left hook that dropped Brewer. Brewer
beat the count, but Briscoe quickly trapped him against the ropes
with unanswered punches, forcing the referee to stop the bout at
2:16 of the opening round.
Carlos Rivera Delgado overcame a point
deduction for repeated low blows to earn a unanimous decision over
Deonta Williamson. Rivera’s speed and power produced five knockdowns
over six rounds, proving too much for Williamson despite the
penalty.
Christan Ortiz earned a unanimous decision
over Luis Orlando Arroyo in a competitive six-round contest. Two
early knockdowns provided the difference as Arroyo rallied late, but
Ortiz maintained control to sweep the three judges’ scorecards,
60-53.
Williams entered the bout unconcerned about
his recent inactivity of nrarly one year, pointing to months of
training and quality sparring. “I’m sharp, I’m ready,” he said
during fight week. “I don’t think there’ll be any ring rust.” He
also predicted he would separate himself after the opening rounds.
“Maybe for the first two rounds, but then after that, I plan on
taking over.”
The fight unfolded much the way Williams
envisioned. Parker remained competitive early before Williams
gradually imposed his jab, body attack and pressure to earn 60-54
scores on all three cards. Asked what makes Rock Ministries produce
so many talented fighters, Williams answered simply, “Jesus Christ,”
crediting the gym’s emphasis on discipline inside and outside the
ring. His victory gave Rock Ministries its first win of the evening.
Jacklyne “The Assassin” McTamney
successfully passed her first scheduled six-round test, earning a
unanimous decision over Colleen Davis with a disciplined performance
built around movement, timing and counterpunching. Before the fight, McTamney acknowledged
Davis represented a step up in competition after both women shared
victories over Lauren Michaels. “We’ve been studying and doing what
we have to do in the gym,” she said.
McTamney immediately seized control, scoring
a knockdown in the opening round before forcing Davis to chase her
around the ring. Another knockdown in the fourth widened the gap as
McTamney repeatedly landed clean combinations while avoiding
prolonged exchanges. Davis entered the bout promising to show
“elements of chaos” and improvements to her style, but McTamney’s
footwork and ring control prevented the Pittsburgh fighter from
finding a consistent rhythm.
The victory also marked another milestone
after McTamney’s lengthy injury layoff. This was her second start in
three months after 17-month recovery. “Now I’m healthy, ready to
stay consistent, and just keep moving up,” she said before the bout.
She backed up those words with one of the strongest performances of
her young professional career.
Blue Corner Promotions’ first officially
signed fighter made a successful promotional debut as Ali Ellis
earned a unanimous decision over Greg “Hot Shot” Hackett in one of
the night’s most anticipated matchups. The bout generated some of the biggest
attention on social media leading into fight night, with both Ellis
and Hackett widely respected within Philadelphia boxing circles.
During fight week, the matchup was described as “a chess match
between two grandmasters,” a comparison Hackett agreed with as two
veteran Philadelphia trainers prepared to square off inside the
ropes.
Hackett accepted the fight on short notice
after Ellis endured multiple opponent changes over recent months.
“This is a great fight. Why not?” Hackett said. “It’s another chance
for me to fight at home.” The veteran also said he wanted to remain
“sharp and patient” against the explosive Ellis.
Instead, Ellis dictated the pace behind
disciplined pressure and a consistent body attack while limiting
Hackett’s opportunities to counter. Hackett was deducted a point
after intentionally slamming Ellis to the canvas during an exchange,
and Ellis swept all three scorecards, 60-53. The victory rewarded
Ellis’ patience after several canceled fights and gave Blue Corner
Promotions’ inaugural signee a statement win in front of his
hometown crowd.
Rock Ministries Gym completed a perfect 2-0
night as Johnny Rivera defeated Derrick Murray by unanimous decision
in the co-main event. Rivera consistently attacked the body while
Murray repeatedly tied him up on the inside, forcing referee Shawn
Clark to issue several warnings for excessive holding. Rivera’s
pressure and body work earned scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91.
During fight week, Rivera was asked what
made Rock Ministries one of Philadelphia’s premier boxing gyms. He
pointed to the people who built the program, describing it as “a
church/gym right in the middle of Kensington Avenue” where
dedication has shaped generations of fighters. He also praised gym
mate Tyhler Williams, calling him “relentless” and a fighter who
“could brawl and he could box.”
Rivera refused to predict how the fight
would unfold beforehand, saying only, “However he bring it to me,
that’s how I’m going to come.” Murray’s willingness to engage inside
played directly into Rivera’s strengths as the undefeated
Philadelphia native steadily broke him down over ten rounds,
completing a successful night for both himself and Rock Ministries
Gym.
“I’m feeling ready and excited,” Patricio
said before the bout. “I’m going to close the show, so I’m coming in
hot.” The opening round was measured before
Patricio established her jab and combinations in the second.
Francesca appeared to be the physically stronger fighter, repeatedly
forcing clinches and looking to bully Patricio on the inside. Rather
than forcing exchanges, Patricio remained patient, using her
footwork and taking advantage of openings whenever they presented
themselves while referee Shawn Clark frequently stepped in to
separate the fighters. Clark also warned Patricio in the fourth
round to break immediately after extended clinches.
Patricio said before the fight that her team
had spent considerable time studying Francesca’s style. “We’ve been
studying her well… we’ve got a good strategy coming up this
Saturday.” That preparation showed over the championship rounds as
she stayed disciplined against the physical pressure and
consistently found the cleaner scoring opportunities.
Judge Robert Rubnitz scored the bout 98-92,
Marc Werlinsky had it 97-93, and Paul Wallace scored it 95-95,
awarding Patricio a majority decision victory and the WBA Gold
Bantamweight Championship. Asked during fight week what a victory would
mean for her career, Patricio quickly corrected the question. “Not if, when.” On Saturday night, she proved herself right.
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