Video: Saundre Simmons Defeated In Australia
Bermudian boxer Saundre “Dash” Simmons said he will take the lessons from his first professional defeat after being stopped in the opening round by Kirra Ruston on the Gold Coast, Australia, today [August 26].
Simmons [9-1] was dropped by a powerful right hand from Ruston [10-0] before the referee halted the contest after a barrage of blows in their fight for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Light Heavyweight title.
The 29-year-old felt the stoppage came too early but accepted that he had given the referee reason to stop the bout.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me, believed in me, checked on me, prayed for me, and stood behind me through this journey,” Simmons said.
“I felt every bit of it, and I’m genuinely grateful.
“Tonight wasn’t it. Call was too early for me, but at the end of the day, I put myself in a position where the referee had the ability to make that call, and I take responsibility for that.
“Fighting is a huge part of who I am. Losing sucks ass but a lesson is a lesson. Not my first.”
Simmons, who trains at Bone Breaker Gym in Morganton, North Carolina, also reflected on his experience in Australia and thanked those involved in the fight.
“Fun Time in Australia. No Limit Boxing — thank you for the experience,” he added. “Beautiful Country.”
Simmons was born in Massachusetts and raised in Somerset, Bermuda, but spent part of his youth in Asheville.
He turned professional in 2023 after a successful amateur career and had won all nine of his previous professional bouts by knockout.
