Ex-UFC superstar Yoel Romero returned to action late last night; not in the MMA octagon, but in the boxing ring, as he headlined an unusual ‘private boxing event’ out in Miami.
The private event, which looked like a scene straight out of Brad Pitt’s Fight Club, was hosted by none other than ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry under the banner of his new promotion, Dirty Boxing Championship.
Yoel Romero scores vicious first-round KO on Mike Perry’s private boxing event
The first outing of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship has been a rip-roaring success, despite having some of the most unusual marketing in recent combat sports memory.
Not only did the event take place behind closed doors in Miami, with no broadcast or streaming partners in place, but we didn’t even know that former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero was in the headlining attraction until Friday afternoon.
Less than 24 hours after weighing in as one half of the surprise main event, the ‘Soldier of God’ would prove why he’s still one of the most dangerous athletes in the world as he knocked out PowerSlap star Duane Crespo in the very first round.
The knockout sent the underground crowd into hysterics, with UFC heavyweight champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones seen in awe of Romero’s knockout power – even at 47 years of age.
Since exiting the UFC in 2020, Romero has gone 3-2 in his last fight MMA bouts; decision losses to Phil Danis and Vadim Menkov, with finishes over Melvin Manhoef and Alex Polizzi in addition to a UD win over Thiago Santos earlier this year.
Crespo has been a PowerSlap fighter since 2023, transitioning to the controversial ‘sport’ after being knocked out in four consecutive fights across the boxing, Bare-Knuckle boxing, and MMA space.
Given how Romero remains one of the most popular veterans in the entire combat sports world, it’s no surprise that social media is awash with comments celebrating the Soldier of God’s vicious knockout in Miami.
It’s unclear when or where Perry’s underground promotion will go next, although there is certainly demand for this type of event from fans worldwide.