Wayne Lawrence Outpoints Javier Martinez, Picks Up Closely-Fought Split-Decision Win In Co-Main Event On DAZN
HOUSTON, Texas – April 4, 2025 – Deonte “Lay Em Down” Brown (16-0, 11 KOs) returned from a three-year hiatus and remained undefeated, scoring a dominant unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 80-72) victory over Dennis “El Martillo” Contreras (24-18-1, 22 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout on Friday night in the main event of Red Owl Boxing’s BOXFEST XIV live on DAZN from the “Owl’s Nest” in Houston.
In a dominant display of boxing, the 29-year-old Brown, who was coming off a 2022 victory over Jesus Saracho and riding a five-fight knockout streak, controlled the pace and distance throughout the bout.
From the opening round, Louisiana’s Brown established his jab and targeted the body, while Contreras struggled to find his rhythm. As the rounds progressed, Brown's attack intensified, as he mixed up his shots and landed powerful uppercuts, while picking Contreras apart from the outside.
Despite Contreras’ efforts to close the distance and bait Brown into a brawl, Brown's speed and combination punching kept him at bay, as he continued to control the action in Round 3. Brown’s fast footwork and ability to stick and move made it difficult for Contreras to land anything significant. In Round 5, Contreras again tried to lure Brown into a brawl, but the superior boxing skills of Brown continued to shine as he avoided damage and landed clean shots.
As the fight continued, Brown maintained his dominance, landing uppercuts with precision and upping the pace in Round 7 when he seemingly began looking for a finish. By the final round, Brown was in complete control, sticking and moving effortlessly, while Contreras struggled to land anything of note.
Ultimately, Brown’s superior boxing throughout the eight rounds earned him a clear victory.
“It feels good,” Brown said in the ring following the bout. “It feels good to be back. Like you said, three years off. I was just shaking the rust off. It felt good. It felt good.
“Like I said, I knew he was going to be tough and durable,” he added. “So, me and my coach, we weren’t really looking for the knockout. If it came, it came, but we basically just outpoint him and stay smart.”
In the co-main event of the evening, 23-year-old Wayne “Pretty Boy Bam Bam” Lawrence (8-1, 4 KOs) defeated Javier Martinez (7-2, 4 KOs) by split-decision (59-55, 56-58, 58-56) in a closely fought six-round super featherweight bout.
In the opening round, the 28-year-old Martinez, who was returning after a near three-year layoff, came out aggressively, pressing forward with relentless pressure. Toledo’s Lawrence responded, however, with a fast jab and attempted to control the distance, as Martinez focused on closing the gap. As the round progressed, Martinez landed some powerful body punches.
In the second round, Martinez controlled the action, driving Lawrence to the ropes and targeting the body with heavy shots. Martinez, a native of Dallas, then landed a big overhand right that stunned Lawrence. He continued to deliver powerful shots to both the head and body, while Lawrence tried to stay composed, using his jab to maintain distance. The round concluded with a strong left hook from Martinez.
In the middle rounds, Martinez continued to land powerful, looping shots while keeping the pressure on. Lawrence, however, began to find more success and had some moments of his own, finding a home for a strong jab and landing combinations behind it.
In Round 5, Lawrence controlled the distance, effectively avoiding Martinez's big shots. He continued to land sharp, stinging jabs while using impressive movement to avoid damage. Meanwhile, Martinez appeared to slow down as the round progressed, struggling to maintain the pace he had set earlier.
Aside from a notable left hand from Martinez late in the round, the final frame was rather uneventful, but in the end, Lawrence had done enough to earn the nod from the judges.
“I thought it was a tough fight,” Lawrence said in the ring following the bout. “He’s a great opponent. Came hard, came strong, came in shape.
“I thought he was going to box,” he added. “I thought he was going to box more, but he surprised me when he came in here and banged. He’s strong – way stronger than I thought. He’s a good fighter. Better than I thought.”
Lawrence also noted that he may move up in weight following the bout.
“I kind of felt that 130 pounds, so I might be going up to 135,” he said. “Be stronger.”
Also on the main card, 18-year-old Gabriela “Sosa” Tellez (5-0, 2 KO) scored a dominant second-round TKO victory over Lindsey “Hands of Steel” Ellis (2-3, 2 KOs) in a super featherweight bout to remain undefeated as a professional.
Aggressive from the start, San Antonio’s Tellez, a stablemate of David Benavidez and an 18-time National Amateur Champion, started fast, pushing forward and landing big shots. Throwing effective combinations and mixing up her attack to the head and body, Tellez repeatedly found a home for her right hand, damaging and bloodying Ellis as the round came to a close.
In the second round, “Sosa” put a stamp on an impressive performance, visibly hurting Ellis with a left hook to the body before unloading on a barrage of shots that forced the referee to halt the action.
“I felt good,” Tellez said in her post-fight interview. “I kind of came a little too anxious in the first round, but I adapted real nice and everything landed perfectly.”
Opening up the main card on DAZN, 25-year-old Houston native Alex “La Pantera” Donis (1-0) survived a second-round knockdown to score an impressive unanimous decision (38-37, 38-37, 38-37) victory over Andrew “The Durango Kid” Flamm (1-1) in a competitive and exciting four-round welterweight bout.
Making his pro debut, Donis, who’s trained by his uncle and former NABF Champion David Donis, started strong, landing powerful straight lefts and right hooks, bloodying Flamm, while using slick head movement to avoid Flamm’s attack.
In the second round, however, Donis, who was 74-10 as an amateur and a 2018 Texas State Golden Gloves champion, hit the canvas after absorbing a big right hand from Flamm. Following the knockdown, Donis seemed to have a sense of urgency, as he battled back and landed some notable shots of his own. The two men then went back-and-forth, trading shots to end a competitive round.
“Honestly, it’s the adversity that you face in life - I feel like a lot of that prepared me for today,” Donis said in the ring following the bout. “Even though I got down on the canvas, I got back up and fought like a warrior in front of my family, so thank you guys.”
Over the course of the final two rounds, “La Pantera” pulled away, working behind a stiff jab to set up damaging power shots. Flamm remained tough and continued to pressure Donis, but as the final bell sounded, Donis landed another big right hand that seemingly hurt Flamm.
In the end, Donis had done enough to earn a unanimous decision victory, starting his professional career off on a high note.
“I feel ecstatic honestly,” Donis said. “I appreciate everybody who came out today. Pro debut in Houston. It’s been a long time coming. I want to thank my coach, my grandparents, my corner, and everybody who came out. Thank you all for always believing in me. We’re here.”
Calling all the action from Houston was former world champion Raul Marquez joined by blow-by-blow commentator Miguel Flores. Veteran ring announcer Lupe Contreras handled all in-ring duties while Sofia Gutierrez provided viewers at home with real-time insights as Red Owl Boxing’s roving reporter. Tonight's full four-fight telecast will be available to watch on-demand on DAZN with subscription.
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