Mike Plania drops Joshua Greer Jr. twice in majority decision upset

Joshua Greer Jr. was the biggest name on the Top Rank on ESPN card, but Mike Plania stole his thunder and pounded out an upset victory. 

Coming in as the headliner on Tuesday, June 16, featured on the Top Rank on ESPN boxing card, Joshua Greer Jr. (22-2-1, 12 KOs) was expected to take care of little known super bantamweight Mike Plania (24-1, 12 KOs). Plania flipped the script and put his name on the map in the process.

Greer had an early loss to Stephen Fulton on his record, but he was on his way to becoming a titlist as a bantamweight. He started slowly against Plania, and that ultimately cost Greer the fight.

Plania stunned Greer early with a lead left hook to the chin that dropped and hurt Greer with more than half of the first round remaining. Greer got to his feet and finished the round, but his legs looked weary.

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Greer regained his senses in round 2 but lost the round. He danced on the outside as Plania stalked him. Every time Greer tried to rush Plania, he got timed with a left hook.

Plania banked round after round as Greer offered up an anemic offense. Plania pushed the action, and Greer was content with surviving rounds. Greer grew desperate after round 6.

In round 6, Greer got timed with another Plania left hook that knocked him off his feet for the second time of the night. Plania looked like he could end the fight, but he was too calm. He had Greer hurt and let him off the hook. That was a mistake.

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Rounds 7 through 10 belonged to Greer. He knew he was down on the cards and reversed his game plan. He attacked Plania and forced him to fight on the inside. He smothered Plania’s power and used his fast hands to score.

Plania withered towards the end of the fight, and Greer came on strong. By round 10, Plania’s energy was zapped, but Greer was too aggressive. He didn’t set up his punches and rushed Plania looking for haymakers.

Plania continuously tied up the overzealous Greer and cruised to the final bell. Plania’s dominance eroded in the final rounds, but he built up an insurmountable lead.

The judges returned scores of 94-94, 96-92, and 97-91 in favor of Plania. Greer is going to be sick when he watches the film of the fight and discovers that he wasted the first six rounds dancing on his back foot while his offense was dormant.

Plania faded down the stretch, but he’s now a fighter to watch. It was a missed opportunity for Greer, and Plania capitalized on the moment. It will be interesting to see if the 23-year-old Plania can forge ahead and elevate his win into a title shot.