Francis Hogan Cruises to Decision Over Khiary Gray to Retain WBC US Silver Middleweight Title

Winter Brawl 2025 Delivers Knockouts, Wars, and Retirement at Foxwoods

Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (19-0, 16 KOs) faced the toughest opponent of his young career and still managed to make it look easy, winning a wide unanimous decision over Khiary “King Too Sharp” Gray (19-8, 14 KOs) to defend his WBC US Silver Middleweight Title at CES Boxing’s Winter Brawl 2025. The night, held at the Premier Theater in Foxwoods Resort Casino, featured a lineup of brutal knockouts, back-and-forth slugfests, and even a retirement bout.

Before the fight, Hogan talked up his power and speed, predicting a demolition job. Gray, on the other hand, wasn’t thrilled about Hogan’s trash talk, including a charming prediction that he’d tear through Gray “like a tornado through a trailer park.” So yeah, there was a bit of tension.

Hogan nearly made good on his promise in the second round, dropping Gray with a vicious counter right hook that left him dazed. But the veteran wasn’t going down that easily. He got back up, regrouped, and spent the next several rounds trying to work his way back into the fight.

Unfortunately for Gray, Hogan’s speed, length, and deadly right jab made it impossible for him to land anything clean. By round 6, Hogan was completely in control, snapping Gray’s head back with straight left hands. Desperate, Gray made one last stand in round 8, but a counter left from Hogan sent his mouthpiece flying, and a nasty clash of heads moments later sent him to the canvas.

The scorecards weren’t particularly close, with Hogan taking the decision 98-91, 96-93, and 96-93.

“I knew he’d be tough, but my skills and power were too much for him,” Hogan said after the fight. “This belt is staying with me.”

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Velasquez Obliterates Chaves in Three

Anthony “ATV” Velasquez (16-0-1, 13 KOs) didn’t waste any time reminding people why he’s one of the most dangerous punchers in the division, demolishing Argentina’s Brian Chaves (14-7, 5 KOs) in just three rounds.

• Chaves came out aggressive, trying to impose his will early, but Velasquez kept his cool behind his jab.
• By round 2, Velasquez started stalking his opponent, cutting off the ring and landing heavy body shots.
• Chaves made the mistake of trading with Velasquez in round 3—bad idea. One massive counter right hand later, Chaves was on the canvas.

The Argentine got up, but referee Arthur Mercante Jr. decided he’d seen enough at 2:29 of the round.

“He was tough, but I knew once I landed, he’d crumble,” Velasquez said.

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Reynoso Batters Renaud in Bloody War

Victor Reynoso (10-0, 7 KOs) returned from a 17-month layoff and made up for lost time, stopping Springfield’s Jalen Renaud (10-2, 3 KOs) in the sixth round of an absolute war.

• Reynoso fought southpaw for the first two rounds, confusing Renaud early.
• Round 3 saw both men trading bombs, but Renaud was clearly the worse for wear.
• By round 5, he was bleeding from the nose, mouth, and a fresh cut over his left eye after an accidental headbutt.
• Just when it seemed like Renaud might turn the tide, Reynoso caught him with a brutal right hand at the end of round 5 that had him staggering.

The ringside doctor warned Renaud before the final round that the fight would be stopped if he took more damage. Reynoso took that personally and pounded on Renaud until Mercante Jr. jumped in at 1:11 of the sixth.

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Matt Doherty Retires After Torres Stoppage Loss

Jeffrey “El Bendecido” Torres (14-2, 8 KOs) handed Matt “The Mantis” Doherty (10-10-1, 5 KOs) his final loss, stopping him in four rounds.

Doherty came in swinging, looking to make it a brawl, but Torres’ counter right hands were too sharp. After several rounds of taking unnecessary damage, Doherty finally hit the deck in round 4, and referee Harvey Dock called it at 2:31.

After the fight, the 36-year-old Doherty announced his retirement, capping off a 10-year career spent thrilling New England fans.

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Shvab Stops Preciado in Eighth, Keeps Undefeated Streak Alive

Kazakhstan’s Nikolay Shvab (13-0, 8 KOs) proved he’s the real deal, stopping Belmar Preciado (22-9-1, 15 KOs) in the final round of their lightweight showdown.

• Shvab dropped Preciado in round 1 with a straight left hand.
• The Colombian veteran fought back, landing big body shots in round 2, but Shvab kept stalking him.
• Preciado caught Shvab with a big counter left in round 6, but the Kazakh barely flinched.
• In round 8, Shvab finally closed the show with a right jab-left hand combo that put Preciado down for good at 1:17.

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Quick Undercard Results

• Iman Lee (12-0, 8 KOs) def. Bernardo Uribe (17-10, 9 KOs) via TKO 4 (1:52)
• Steven “The Savage” Sumpter (10-1-1, 8 KOs) def. Victor Exner (11-19-3, 5 KOs) via RTD 4
• Douglas Marroquin (5-0, 3 KOs) def. Austin Spivey (Debut) via UD 4 (40-36 x3)
• Anuel Rosa (5-0-1, 3 KOs) vs. Elijah Peixoto (4-0-1, 2 KOs) – Majority Draw (39-37 Rosa, 39-37 Peixoto, 38-38)
• Joe Bush (6-0, 4 KOs) def. Derrick Whitley Jr. (8-5-2) via UD 6 (60-54, 59-55 x2)
• Shannel “The Sniper” Butler (2-0, 1 KO) def. Melanie “Pitbull” Costa (3-1, 1 KO) via SD 4 (40-36 x2, 37-39)
• Tevin “The Hitman” Regis (6-0, 5 KOs) def. Chris Gunn (Debut) via KO 1 (1:00, body shot)