The night didn’t end with a secondary WBA title around his waist like Kevin Hayler Brown originally envisioned this business trip.
In the end, however, he was able to advance his career with yet another dominant performance.
Cuba’s Brown – now based in Las Vegas – effortlessly turned away late-substitute opponent Amos Cowart over 10 one-sided rounds. Scores were 100-90, 100-90 and 100-90 for the unbeaten Brown, 9-0 (3 KOs), in their main event Saturday evening at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The bout headlined a WBA-sponsored show as part of the sanctioning body’s 104th annual convention. Brown was originally due to face Cletus Seldin for the WBA interim 140lbs title atop the bill.
Those plans changed within the past 24 hours when Seldin was pulled from the card after he tested positive for accelerated levels of testosterone. Boxlab Promotions, Brown’s career-long-promoter, quickly secured the services of Cowart, 13-3-1 (10 KOs), who was already scheduled for an 8-round undercard bout.
Because of the last-minute change, the bout was downgraded to 10 rounds, with only Brown’s WBA regional title at stake.
That didn’t stop him from trying to prove himself as a rapidly rising contender. The 31-year-old junior welterweight has been matched aggressively since his August 2022 pro debut, with the entirety of his career taking place at Caribe Royale and against opponents with more pro experience.
The same held true on Saturday, though it was clear from the outset that Cowart – as valiant was his effort – was out of his depth. Brown was able to box early and control the distance and the pace to pile up rounds.
Towards the end of the night, Brown was more inclined to stand his ground and take more risks. He bloodied up and pounded away at Cowart in the 10th and final round but could not produce what would have been his first stoppage victory in two years – almost to the day.
Instead, it was another landside decision victory for Brown, who has now gone the 10-round distance for the sixth overall time and for his fifth straight contest.
It remains to be seen whether Brown can secure a secondary title fight for his next bout. The full version of the WBA 140lbs belt is tied up, as defending titlist Gary Antuanne Russell and mandatory challenger Andy Hiraoka await a new date for their long-ago-ordered clash.
Brown is currently the sanctioning body’s No. 7 challenger but will likely receive a promotion during the ratings portion of the WBA convention. Hiraoka is still No. 1 but Ruben Nestor Neri Munoz – the current No. 2 contender – just suffered a 12-round defeat on Friday in Dubai.
Oscar Duarte is presently No. 3, and thus first in line to face Brown should the WBA order a secondary title fight.
