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Steve KimESPN
Michael Plania scored a major upset by defeating Joshua Greer Jr. in the main event of Tuesday night’s Top Rank Boxing card at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.
Plania, a +275 underdog, scored two knockdowns and defeated the WBO’s No. 1 ranked bantamweight by majority decision (96-92, 97-91, 94-94).
While Greer came into this contest hoping to secure a title shot, he found himself looking up at Plania twice. In the first round, Plania dropped Greer with a chopping left hook, and then again with the same punch in the sixth round.
Greer rallied late in the fight as he began to march forward and smother Plania from in close, and while he won a few rounds, it was far too little and far too late to swing the fight in his direction.
“I thought I could knock him out after the knockdown in the first round, but he was tough and adjusted his strategy,” Plania said through a interpreter after his victory.
“I think Greer underestimated me,” said Plania, who goes by the nickname “Magic Mike.” “He kept saying ‘Night night,’ but tonight, it was magic time.”
The awkward looking left hook, which was Plania’s primary weapon, came down at an unusual downward trajectory and gave Greer issues early on in the fight. In between the two trips to the canvas, the mere threat of that punch, as well as the overall speed and quickness of Plania, kept Greer at bay.
For much of the early stages of the fight, Greer was playing keep away, which was fine in terms of surviving, but his perpetual movement gave Greer very little opportunity to create his own offensive opportunities. Even as Greer turned up the power and intensity late to grab a few rounds on the scorecards, it was far too late to make an impact.
As for Plania, the 23-year-old was a relatively unknown commodity. Now the division has a new player to contend with.
“This win is going to change my life,” said Plania.