BETHLEHEM, PA. (August 23, 2016) – The co-main event of the night saw a pair of Washington, D.C. welterweights do battle as David Grayton (15-1, 11 KOs) earned a victory over previously unbeaten Kareem Martin (8-1-1, 3 KOs) via a stoppage in the eighth and final round.
The southpaw Grayton pressed forward early and often, looking to disrupt Martin and keep him uncomfortable. Martin was sharp early on, especially with right hand counters. He was the more accurate fighter over the first three rounds, but the experience of Grayton began to take over.
As the fight went on, Grayton’s attack gained effectiveness and Martin appeared to wear down from the constant pace. Grayton out threw Martin 537 to 308 and landed 172 punches to Martin’s 106.
Grayton took control of the fight in the sixth round, hurting Martin early with a blistering body attack and rocked him late in the round with crisp uppercuts. By round eight, Martin had faded and Grayton sensed his moment. A left hand to the body dropped Martin early, and while he beat the count, Grayton quickly pounced and delivered a flurry that caused referee Benjy Esteves Jr. to stop the fight 41 seconds into the round.
