Terrance Hill (10-2-1, 2 KO’s) came in on a weeks’ notice to face Chenchen Li (28-5, 15 KO’s), who on entering the ring became the latest of this year’s influx of Chinese fighters to debut for GLORY.
Having fought in China until now, Li was an unknown quantity to western fight fans. Hill is a veteran fighter and his record includes a decision win over former GLORY featherweight champion Gabriel Varga.
This one wouldn’t be going to the judges.
The two engaged quickly and Li cranked up the pace almost immediately, putting Hill on the back foot and forcing him to fight moving backwards around the ring. Just over a minute in, Li pressured forwards with a combination which backed Hill into the ropes.
A left shovel-hook ended the combination. It also ended the fight. Coming up at an angle, it sailed through Hill’s guard and landed flush on his jaw. He went down hard and it was immediately obvious he would not be getting up.
Li roared in triumph as the referee waved the fight off. Speaking only Mandarin, he didn’t get the chance to address the crowd with a post-fight speech. He did win their hearts though. Not only did he provide them with knockout action, he spent two minutes disco-dancing in celebration, drawing whoops and cheers from the amused onlookers.
Debuts do not come much bigger or better than a first-round knockout in Madison Square Garden, New York. Chenchen Li has arrived in the GLORY featherweight division in style.
Chenchen Li def. Terrance Hill, KO, 1:45 R1
