By Jeffrey “Italian Medallion” Cellini

In front of a wild and energized crowd at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA last night, Robert Easter JR., 18-0, 14 KO’s defeated Richard Commey, 24-1, 22 KO’s by split-decision to win the vacant IBF World Lightweight title. The judges scored the fight 115-112 & 114-113 for Easter, JR. and 114-113 for Commey. The fight was televised by Premier Boxing Champions on Spike.

Easter JR, who entered the contest as the number four ranked contender, won the twelfth and final round of a thrilling fight when he staggered the Ghanaian with a straight right hand in the opening moments and had Commey holding on for the much of the remainder of the round. Easter, JR. and Commey closed out the fight with a wild exchange of blows that brought the audience to their feet.

Easter, JR. was knocked down in the 8th round by a right hand from Commey. Easter looked like the better fighter in the first half of the fight, but Commey came on to make it close by dominating most of the 2nd half of the fight.

Easter JR., who fights out of Toledo (Ohio), showed good single punch power, but he was struggling with the hand speed and power from Commey. The new IBF World Lightweight champion was caught several times by looping right hands by Commey throughout the fight. Commey, who entered the contest as the number three ranked IBF contender, should be able to ask for a rematch in the near future. However, Easter JR. does look vulnerable and may not hold onto the title very long.

Terry Flanagan (WBO), Anthony Crolia (WBA) and Dejan Zlaticanin (WBC) are the three other world lightweight champions.

The IBF World Lightweight championship fight was the co-main event on the Daniel Jacobs-Sergio Mora (WBC Middleweight championship) card.

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