Golden Boy East at the Borgata for HBO Latino

It was a night of the knockout as Golden Boy East, Peltz Boxing Promotions and HBO Latino collaborated to put on a good show in Atlantic City New Jersey. Kassim Ouma punched his way towards a rematch for the Light Heavyweight Title and Philly fighters Rock Allen, Demetrius Hopkins and Phillip McCants all put on impressive displays of their talent. Tonight proved that the Golden Boy East roster is one of the better stables of young talent in the business.


Junior Middleweight
Kassim Ouma (21-2-1 13ko’s) vs. Alfredo Cuevas (25-7-1 17ko’s)
Kampala, UG Chicago, IL

In his first bout since losing the IBF Light Middleweight Title, Kassim Ouma stepped into the ring with something to prove. He wasted no time disposing Alfredo Cuevas, who until tonight, has never been knocked down in 33 professional fights which earned him recognition as one of the toughest men in the sport.

Round 1 – Ouma comes out blazing against Cuevas who shows he is willing to bang. It doesn’t take long before Ouma catches his opponent with a blistering left which sends Cuevas skidding across the canvas. Cuevas beats the 10 count but continues to eat the lightening fast left of Ouma over and over again. As round 1 nears the end, Ouma keeps firing the left and follows up with a straight right with puts Cuevas on his back once again. Cuevas gets to his feet and wisely avoids any more action until the bell sounds.

Round 2 – Cuevas comes out of the corner wobbly and Ouma takes full advantage, scoring with a big left right combo to the head. Cuevas goes into survival mode but Ouma reacts by going to the right jab which his lands with ease. Ouma starts to work the body then follows his work downstairs with big rights which seem to land flush every time. It is obvious that the speed and power of Ouma are too much for Cuevas to handle.

Round 3 – The round starts with both fighters toe to toe in the middle of the ring throwing jabs. This quickly breaks down into a slugfest that Ouma clearly gets the best of. Cuevas facial expression says he wants to run out of the building but to his credit he hangs in there and absorbs more punishment. Ouma’s aggressive style wins the crowd over as they begin to roar every time he lands a hard shot.

Round 4 – Ouma comes out with a popping left and he looks like he is setting up for the kill. Cuevas fires back with a big right which seems to get the attention of Ouma. Ouma shakes it off and unloads his entire arsenal on Cuevas, beating him around the ring until Cuevas hits the floor for the 3rd time in the fight. Cuevas beats the count and throws wildly but Ouma’s speed won’t allow him to be hit. Cuevas leaves himself wide open and Ouma unleashes another flurry of rights and lefts to the head and body. The fight ends with Ouma scoring a final knockdown after administering another viscous beating along the ropes as the bell sounds.

Cuevas corner calls for the fight to be stopped after Round 4 ends.

Kassim Ouma improves to 22 -2 -1 14 ko’s
Alfredo Cuevas falls to 25 -8 -1 17ko’s










Welterweight
Demetrius Hopkins (20-0-1 7ko’s) vs. Ernesto Zepeda (37-8-4 32ko’s)
Philadelphia, PA Tijuana, MX

The heir apparent Demetrius Hopkins faces the first real test of his professional career tonight going against Mexico’s Ernesto Zepeda, whose resume includes 32 knockouts. Hopkins was up to the challenge going 9 hard rounds and scoring a knockout against the wily veteran. At times D-Hop looked great, others he looked tired. Overall it was a solid performance against a game challenger and we should be seeing more of him soon.



Round 1 starts off slow as both fighters seem to be feeling each other out. A jab here, body shot there, lots of dancing and holding. The crowd boos as round 1 comes to a close.

Round 2 – Hopkins picks up the action throwing a few left jabs which set up a nice right. Zepeda is trying to establish himself inside and lands a clean left uppercut of his own. Hopkins sticks with the left the entire round landing a hook to the head and jabs followed by an overhand right.

Round 3 – Hopkins sticks to what works, and for the first half of the round he landed his left with ease. Zepeda tries to exchange but comes up with air. The action finally picks up as both fighters trade hard shots. Hopkins continues to throw landing 7 straight power shots which rock Zepeda. The bell sounds saving Zepeda from certain knockdown.

Round 4 – Zepeda stalks Hopkins who does not immediately try to build on the work he put in round 3. Both fighter trade jabs until Hopkins connects with a left – right combo to the head. Hopkins lands a second big left to the head, then goes on to land hard left handed body shots. Zepeda regroups, bringing the action along the ropes where he unloads a flurry of rights and lefts which seem to have D-Hop in trouble. Hopkins comes back with the left which keeps Zepeda honest until the end of the round.

Round 5 – Zepeda starts off as the aggressor and Hopkins seems unwilling to trade. Zepeda once again follows Hopkins around the ring, finally tying him up and slipping in uppercuts which find the mark. Zepeda follows up with a nice left & right to the face and then fires off hard body shots which seem to affect Hopkins. Both fighter’s trade face shots and Hopkins follows up with hard left followed by a punishing right which busts Zepeda’s eye open. The blood is trickling but Zepeda pays that no mind as he goes to work on the face and body of Hopkins which seals the round for him.

Round 6 – The round starts with both fighters greeting each other in the middle of the ring with a nice exchange. Hopkins left is still effective. The action gets even better as both fighters slug it out along ropes and all four corners of the ring. Zepeda hits a big right which looks like it takes the wind out of Hopkins sails. The round ends with both fighters trading lefts.

Round 7 – In round 6 Hopkins looked tired but in round 7 he looks strong. Hopkins left hook is still his weapon of choice and Zepeda’s face is the primary target. Zepeda sucks it up and the fighters bang it out in the center of the ring. Hopkins gets the best of the round with a hard right followed by 2 big uppercuts.

Round 8 - Action dies down as Hopkins uses the left jab. Zepeda tries to use bull rush tactics along the ropes but Hopkins left still finds the mark.

Round 9 – Zepeda comes out trying to reestablish himself inside but this time Hopkins uses his speed to avoid any real contact. Hopkins finds an opening and fires off 5 consecutive power shots followed by a right uppercut which set up a straight left which put the gritty Mexican on his back hearing nothing but the ref shouting diez.



Bernard Hopkins grabbed the ring mic and guaranteed a knockout in the rematch against Jermain Taylor.


Welterweight
Rock Allen (2-0 2ko’s) vs. Candelario Herrera (3-3-2 2ko’s)
Philadelphia, PA La Victoria, MX


Former Olympian Rock Allen was very impressive as he beat the snot out of Candelario Herrera who we were seeing for the first, and probably the last time in the United States. Allen thoroughly outclassed his Mexican rival and showed why many in the Philadelphia circuit think he is destined to be a world champion.

Round 1 – Allen wastes no time initiating the acting, throwing and landing crisp left jabs which seem to pack loads of power behind it. Allen then fires off a sharp right which finds Herrera’s chin. Allen works the left jab some more. Herrera tries to exchange but comes up empty due to Allen’s excellent footwork. Allen finished the round he controlled with a hard combination to Herrera’s face.

Round 2 – Allen initiates the action again, this time showing off his power. He quickly lands a big left, followed by a big right which leaves Herrera in a daze. Allen then goes to the body, digging into his opponent’s ribs which set up more hard power punches to Herrera’s head. Allen continues to fire off shots which land at an alarming rate which leaves Herrera’s corner no option but to throw in the towel at 2:15 in the second frame.











Light Heavyweight
Alfred Kinsey (4-2-1 2ko’s) vs. Victor Paz (9-1-0 1ko)
Atlantic City, NJ Bronx, NY

Alfred Kinsey gave the hometown crowd something to cheer about as came out victorious in a hard fought battle against NY brawler Victor Paz. The action was back and forth most of the bout and it looked like Paz was going to take it early but Kinsey hung in there and in the 4th, administered a beating Paz won’t soon forget.

Round 1 – Action starts off slow until Kinsey reels off 4 punches to the body. Action dies down again as both fighters get in a few shots a piece but nothing major lands.

Round 2 – Paz starts off strong by taking the action to the ropes where he throws hard punches to the body. Kinsey is willing to slug it out lands solid head shots. Kinsey then works the body of Paz. Kinsey works the body and finished with head shots. Paz responds with body and head shots of his own. The action goes back and forth until the bell sounds.

Round 3 – Kinsey hits with a stiff right, Paz flurries in return. Paz lands a clean left hook but Kinsey continues to swing hard which leads to a bang in the middle of the ring. Kinsey gets the best due to his left jab to the head & right hook to the body. Paz throws the left – right combo which proves to be effective. Kinsey swings out of the ropes lands a stiff right. Paz hits a left right left uppercut which stuns Kinsey along the ropes. Another stiff exchange ensues. Paz working the left, Kinsey & Paz exchange hard lefts. Paz lands a big right which is countered by Kinsey at the end of the round.

Round 4 – Hard body shots to start round by both fighters. Kinsey lands a right followed by a perfectly placed left which sends Paz crashing to the canvas. Paz rises to his feet but Kinsey goes got the kill, throwing bombs and connecting, leaving Paz wobbly. Paz fires back with 2 rights and goes to the body. Kinsey throws hard on the ropes, landing a big right which sends Paz mouthpiece flying. Kinsey has Paz where he wants him and is unloading but the ref breaks it up to put the mouth piece back. Kinsey smokes Paz with a right followed by hard body shots. Paz ties up but Kinsey powers out taking the action to the corner and rocks the jaw of Paz which sends the mouthpiece out again. Paz was taking a hell of a beating until the ref stops action again for the mouthpiece. After the delay, Kinsey works the body followed by a big right to the chin which leaves Paz on his back, seeing stars and not getting up for any more action.

Winner Alfred Kinsey TKO




Middleweight
Phillip McCants (4-1 3ko’s) vs. Sheldon Rudolph (3-2 2ko’s)
Philadelphia, PA Paterson. NJ

Round 1 – McCants comes out throwing the left upstairs, and Rudolph looks like he wants to work the body. Rudolph throws a few uppercuts which land. McCants goes to work in the corner landing hard body shots but is the recipient of another big uppercut.

Round 2 – Rudolph starts the round wrestling as McCants tries to gain a presence inside. Both fighters start to swing wildly. McCants goes back inside and Rudolph again lands the uppercuts. Both fighters battle until the round is over. Good, hard round.

Round 3 – The action slows down in the third. Both men show a willingness to bang but throw wildly and not many punches are landed.

Round 4 - Another steady, hard fought round. McCants gets the best of the action by landing cleaner, harder punches. The fight ends with a street corner type brawl with both men mixing it all over the ring until the bell sounds.


Majority Decision for Phillip McCants
38-38
40-36
40-36







Middleweight
Gerardo Arcos (1-0-1 1ko) vs. Mike Dargan (1-0 1ko)
Sacramento, CA Philadelphia, PA

Round 1 – Round 1 proves to be slow. Both fighters throw 1 punch then back off. Dargan flashes a fast left but doesn’t land. Arcos misses many of the punches he throws.

Round 2 – Arcos is more active and lands many more shots than Dargan. Arcos lands the hard power shots towards the end of the round. Looks to be a bit of a head hunter but this method seems to work.

Round 3 – Arcos throws hard lefts and slips in rights on occasion. He controls the tempo and picks his spots. Dargan connects with a few rights of his own but Arcos is much more active. Arcos steps up the heat late in the round connecting with hard lefts and rights. Dargan shows a chin this round. He needed it because Arcos consistently split Dargan’s gloves with uppercuts.

Round 4 – Arcos still works the left which always seems to land. Dargan comes back with a late burst and cuts Arcos’ eye. Arcos hits with a hard 3 piece to the head which leads to a slugfest on the ropes. Arcos hits another 1-2-3 followed by an uppercut which seals the round and the victory.

Unanimous decision for Gerardo Arcos







If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keithfmt3@hotmail.com



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The Blue Horizon 10-06-05

It is billed as the #1 boxing venue in the world and tonight was no disappointment as promoter Vernoca L. Michael put on a night of blood and guts at the historical Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, PA. The action was steady all night long and the Philly crowd kept the place rocking as usual. The card featured Ecuadorian Middleweight Luis Hernandez who stole the show with a big knockout. Also putting on memorable displays of talent were Berry Butler, up and comer Gee Collmer and NY southpaw Jill Emery.


Heavyweight
Kevin Hood (1-1) vs Newton Kidd (5-4 4KO’s)
Lancaster PA Brooklyn, NY

The night kicked off with a 4 round heavyweight match up as Brooklyn native Newton Kidd laced them up against new comer Kevin Hood. Hood steps to the ring with an obvious weight disadvantage which ultimately turned out to be his down fall.

Round 1 - Kidd shows he is the more polished fighter as he stays active with the left to the body. Hood constantly tries to tie up Kidd, and then receives an accidental head butt which causes a cut above the left eye. The action resumes and Kidd uses his quickness to elude Hood.

Saddo scores it 10-9 Kidd

Round 2 - Hood comes out pressing the action trying to score with a big blow. He lands a few but none flush, Kidd stands his ground and shows he is no afraid to trade blows. After an action filled first minute the fight slows down almost to a screeching halt as Hood once again clinches his opponent at any sign of trouble. Kidd is able to muscle away uses the flurry and run technique until the round ends.

Saddo scores it 10- 9 Kidd

Round 3 – Kidd starts the round displaying an effective jab usually followed by a right hook. Hood gets an energy boost and goes on the attack which sparks off a nice back and forth exchange in the center of the ring. After going on the offensive Hood is gassed out and looks like he is going to fall flat on his face. He miraculously survives another late round charge by Kidd who had him pinned in the corner and unloaded his entire arsenal to Hoods body and head.

The ringside doctor who was seated to my immediate right stopped the fight after the 3rd due to what he called “extreme fatigue”



Newton Kidd improves to 6-4 5KO’s
Kevin Hood falls to 1- 2




Super Middleweight
Gee Collmer (6-1-1) vs. Anthony Greely (7-20-2 1KO)
Camden, NJ Philadelphia, PA


Fight 2 show cased up and coming Jersey fighter Gee Collmer as he took on Philadelphia journeyman Anthony Greely in 6 round super middleweight action.

Round 1 – The fight starts with both fighters waisting no time getting into it with a nice exchange in the middle of the ring. Action slows down a bit and Greely is effectively working the jab. Greely goes to the well one too many times as Collmer dodges the jab and lands a clean right to the head. He follows up by working the body and then starts to land overhand rights to the head. Collmer dominated the round and set the tone for the rest of the fight.

Saddo scores it 10 – 9 Collmer


Round 2 – Collmer starts off with stiff left jabs. Greely is tying up but Collmer keeps landing the 1-2 combo to the face. Collmer lands a hard right to Greely’s chin and Greely connects with a big right of his own. Collmer initiates more action but is kept at bay by the left jab of Greely. Collmer dodges the jab again begins to pepper his foe with rights and lefts to the head and body. Greely occasionally slips in a good shot but it is clear Collmer is getting the better of the exchange.

Saddo scores it 10 -9 Collmer

Round 3 – Collmer comes out fast working the body which leads to a nice exchange on the ropes. Collmer lands a solid right to the head, Greely plays possum baiting Collmer in then unloads hard rights and left which find the mark. Collmer regroups and lands clean rights and lefts of his own to the head of Greely. Collmer really starts to turn it up getting in close and firing off 3 punch combos.

Saddo scores it 10-9 Collmer

Round 4 – Collmer takes on a new approach as he throws a few tapping shots then backs away. This goes on for the first minute. Greely is throwing hard rights that miss. Collmer lands a solid right then goes back to tapping this time with the left. He follows the tapping left with long looping rights. Collmer takes it downstairs beating on his opponents ribs and then lands a big right which rips open the lip of Greely.

Saddo scores it 10-9 Collmer


Round 5 – Greenly is busted open but he shows the heart of a warrior going back to the middle and exchanging with Collmer. Greely lands a running 3 punch combo which get the attention of Collmer. Collmer steps it up and begins landing hard rights which send Greely to the ropes where he receives more of a beating. Greely is starting to look tired but gets the best of a late round exchange in the corner.

Saddo scores it 10-9 Collmer


Round 6 – Collmer starts off by chasing Greely around the ring, he finally catches him with a hard overhand right which busts Greely’s lip open again and soaks a ringside reporter with blood. The crowd goes wild. Collmer stays on the attacks and hits with uppercuts and straight rights. Greenly takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’ as he hangs in there for a good exchange. Action slows down and the round closes with Collmer connecting with 2 lefts and a right.

Saddo scores it 10-9 Collmer

Gee Collmer wins by unanimous decision

Judge: Robert Grasso 60-54 Judge: Richard Hopkins 60-54 Judge: Ali Khan 60-54




Light Heavyweight
Berry Butler (17-15 15ko’s) vs Eric Graham (10-2-2 3ko’s)
Greenville, SC Newark, NJ


Round 1 – Action starts off slow as both fighters feel each other out letting off 1 punch throws then backing away. The pace picks up when Graham works the body. Butler backs Graham off connecting upstairs and then shows a stiff jab. Graham attacks like a bull and throws hard, ripping punches to the body. Butler is throwing back but it is Graham who finishes the round with a big left.


Saddo scores it 10 – 9 Graham


Round 2 – Graham wastes no time going on the attack which takes the action to the ropes where an all out brawl breaks out. It is Butler who comes out of it big as he lands a hard right followed by 2 dead on the chin upper cuts which leave Graham noticeably staggered. Butler stays on the attack and is throwing punches with every bit of his 175 lbs packed behind it. Butler administers another beating on the ropes but Graham fires back hitting 3 nice lefts of his own. Graham goes for broke but misses leaving himself wide open for 2 thunderous left uppercuts followed by a booming right flooring Graham and leaving referee Gary Rosato no choice but to stop the fight.

Berry Butler improves to 18-12 16ko’s
Eric Graham falls to 10 -3-2 2ko’s





Welterweight
Jill Emery (3-0) vs Maria Nava (1-3)
New York, NY Little Rock, Arkansas

Round 1 – Nava is active early charging her opponent and trying to work the face of Emery. Emery picks up the pace and begins to throw a very effect left which we would see the rest of the fight. Nava tries to charge but it kept at bay by the left of Emery.

Saddo scores it 10 -9 Emery


Round 2 – The first of three rounds thoroughly dominated by Jill Emery. Jill throws and lands the left at will and there seems to be nothing Nava can do about it. Emery is landing the left to the face, on the body and back to the face a few more times before she lands a crisp left square on Nava’s chin sending Nava sprawling to the canvas with a few seconds left in the round. Nava beats the 10 count and the bell sounds.

Saddo scores it 10 -9 Emery


Round 3 - The overhand left of Emery is killing Nava. Emery is dominant from start to finish in the round landing to the head and body at will while avoid almost any offense Nava tries to put together.

Round 4 – see round 3

Saddo scores it 10 -9 Emery


Round 5 – see round 3 & 4 Nava is proving to have a cast iron chin, absorbing lots of punishment but not going down again.

Round 6 – Nava goes for broke and tries to attack Emery but still can’t avoid the left. Emery who was throwing mostly head shot in the first 5 round now starts to place the left to the body which are hurting Nava. Nava shows she is a scrapper with a big heart but was no match for the New York native Jill Emery.
Saddo scores it 10 -9 Emery


Jill Emery wins by unanimous decision

Judge: Robert Grasso 60-52 Judge: Richard Hopkins 60-53 Judge: Ali Khan 60-53 ~

Jill Emery improves to 4-0 1ko
Maria Nava falls to 1 -4





Main Event
Middleweight
Luis Hernandez (13-2 6ko’s) vs Joshua Onyango (12-11 11ko’s)
Ecuador Kenya

Round 1 – the main event started off fast as Onyango set the fast pace getting right in the face of his opponent and punching away. Onyango was a bit wild which gave Hernandez the opportunity to land solid body shots. Onyango lands a few soft shots then turns up the heat connecting with a few more to the face. Hernandez is showing a solid chin as these punches seem to have little effect. Hernandez ends the round with a stiff flurry which leaves Onyango wobbly after the round.

Saddo scores it 10 -9 Hernandez

Round 2 – Onyango starts off strong again lands solid overhand right and staying on the attack. Hernandez counters with a powerful right that hurts Onyango. Onyango has bad balance the remainder of the round but hangs tough and keeps the action at a steady pace as both fighters battle it out all over the ring.

Saddo scores the round even 10 -10

Round 3 – Both fighters come out of the corner strong throwing haymakers which land at an exciting rate. The fight hits fever pitch as these warriors continue to battle it out and absorb loads of punishment in the process. Both fighters throw with blazing speed and seem willing to fight to the death. The back and forth action was even until Hernandez applies more pressure at the end of the round connecting with big shots to the head. When the round ends the Philly crowd is on their feet applauding the effort out on by the foreign fighters.

Saddo scores the round even 10 -10

Round 4 – More fast paced action as both fighter come out blazing with a plethora of rights and lefts. In the midst of an all out bang along the ropes which almost saw both fighters crash through the ropes onto the press tables, Hernandez connects with a devastating overhand right which put Onyango on his back, where he spent the 10 count pondering a new career as a safari tour guide.


Luis Hernandez improves to 14 – 2 7ko’s
Joshua Onyango falls to 12 -12 11 ko’s



If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keithfmt3@hotmail.com



Return to www.phillykeith.com for more great sports coverage

Diablo Fight Club results 9-30-05

It was good night of boxing put together by Joey Eye Boxing & N.I.T. Management at the Diablo Fight Club in Philadelphia, PA. Featuring up and coming east coast talent, fighters Jose Medina, Clarence Taylor, Joe Christy, & Carlos Vinas, were the ones who wasted no time winning over the tough crowd in attendance. The fights go as follows:

Welterweight
Doel Caraquillo (3-2) vs Ivan Korotkovich (0-0-1)
Lancaster, PA Russia

The night kicked off with international welterweight action putting PA native Doel Caraquillo against Russian attacker Ivan Korotkovich. It was 4 rounds of pushing and counter punching by both men. When Korotkovich stayed on the attack and Caraquillo showed off a nice left which was usually followed by hard overhand rights. Korotkovich was able to land the off balance punch. Both were a bit wild at times and both most effective when working the body. Caraquillo uses his strength to fend off the on coming Russian and consistently split his opponent’s gloves with his left.

Fight was scored a draw

Fight Roundup: Same style, same speed. Both displayed talent but need different style opponents.

Judge Alan Rubenstein 38 -38
Judge Al Dorsey 38-38
Judge Dewey LaRosa 39-37 Caraquillo


Light Welterweight
Durrell Crenshaw (1-4-1) vs Carlos Vinas (2-0)
Philadelphia, PA Jersey City, NJ

Round 1 - Durrell Crenshaw walked to the ring the guy quite a few people came to see but Carlos Vinas wasted no time stealing his thunder with a display of speed and power. The action started off fast and Vinas gets the best early connecting with 3 big rights to the head which sent Crenshaw reeling into the corner. Crenshaw stands strong and decided to trade punch which turned out to be a big mistake. Vinas connects with a huge right that did damage followed by and right uppercut and straight left which sent Crenshaw to the canvas. Crenshaw beats the 10 count and manages to survive the round.

Philly Keith score: 10-8 Vinas
Round 2 – Vinas comes out firing and connecting, it looks like this one is going to end early. Vinas again forces the action to the corner where he lands a few well placed uppercuts. Crenshaw escapes but Vinas catches him on the ropes and lands big power shots at will. Crenshaw hangs tough and shows a chin but can’t mount much offense. His supporters in the crowd shouted out words of encouragement.

Philly Keith score: 10-9 Vinas

Round 3 – Crenshaw changes up and avoids any action as it nears the ropes. He keeps the fight in the middle of the ring and starts to work the body of Vinas with success. Vinas tries to bully Crenshaw back to the ropes. The action ends up in the corner where both fighters land solid shots in a good exchange. Crenshaw wisely backs out and makes Vinas meet him in the middle of the ring. Crenshaw gets back to business and puts a few more welts in Vinas ribs as the bell sounds. Smart round by Durrell Crenshaw.

Philly Keith score: 10-9 Crenshaw

Round 4 – Crenshaw goes right back to the body and this method proves to be effective as Vinas can not use his weight to pin his opponent into the corner. Crenshaw starts to showboat and eats a jab which sparks off a nice exchange. The action slows down as Crenshaw works the jab but Vinas counters with an overhand right just before time runs out.

Philly Keith score: 10-9
Winner: Carols Vinas - Unanimous decision.

Fight Roundup: Vinas came out with Pacquiao type fire in the beginning. Crenshaw’s corner deserves a lot of credit. This could have very easily been a 1st round KO, yet it went the distance and in my opinion should have been scored a little closer.

Judge Rubenstein 38 -37
Judge LaRosa 39 -36
Judge Dorsey 39 -36
Philly Keith: 38- 37



Middleweight
Terrance Miller (2-1) vs. Jon Gaddis (3-4 2 KO’s)
Trenton, NJ Lancaster, PA

In the opening frame Terrance Miller displayed a snapping left which set the tone for the rest of the bout. The action was slow. More feeling out in round 2, Miller is the only one throwing and shows good footwork avoiding the little pressure Gaddis tried to apply. Miller uses the technique of back peddling, baiting Gaddis in, and then lunging forward with sharp lefts. Round 3 starts out like a wrestling match but Miller goes back to the jab which puts a cap on any offense Gaddis tries to mount. Between rounds Gaddis looks dejected in his corner. He comes out and is the recipient of more left jabs. With time winding down Gaddis goes for broke and tries to turn it into a brawl with the same result, more jabs to the chin.

Winner: Terrance Miller – Unanimous decision

Fight Roundup – Miller displayed some pop with the left and excellent footwork in limited action from his opponent. The kid needs stiffer competition. Looked more of a re actor than an initiator but could have been playing it safe for the decision. A fight with a puncher and/or a fight against someone with speed would be interesting.

Official Scorecard –
Judge LaRosa 40 -36
Judge Dorsey 40 -36
Judge Rubenstein 40 -36
Philly Keith 40- 36



Next up were the pee-wee’s where “South Side” Vinny Intrieri went toe-to-toe with Ali Abuhumoud in a miniature South Philly style scrap. Both kids were great and the fans almost blew the roof off the place voicing their support. …. And then the rough kids came out to play.


Welterweight
Jose Medina (12-4 10 KO’s) vs. John Vaughn (5-10 3 KO’s)
Philadelphia, PA Topeka, KS

North Philly native Jose “El Macho” Medina entered the ring to a heroes welcome and wasted no time getting those who had his back on their feet knocking out his opponent with a thunderous right at 2:01 in the first round.

Vaughn came out of his corner in the first fast connecting with a series of 1-2 punches in the middle of the ring. Medina would have no more of that as he muscled Vaughn to the ropes and connected with a series of rights and lefts to the head and body. Vaughn staggered around the ring and Medina followed up with a thunderous right that sent Vaughn dreaming about the cornfields of Kansas.


Winner: Jose “El Macho” Medina – TKO 2:01 Round 1

Fight Roundup: You knew from the minute he walked down the isle he meant business. Throws BIG punches, didn’t throw many. Everyone one he threw was well placed. Seemed to have come in with a strategy. Fight lasted: 59, for the first: 30 he moved and didn’t throw. Took less than: 10 to go from defense to finishing the fight.


Middleweight
Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor (9-6-2 4 KO’s) vs. Joe Christy (4-8-1 1 KO)
Wilmington, DE Philadelphia, PA

The Main Event was a rematch of a 2002 fight Christy won by unanimous decision. The encore was no disappointment as the action was stiff for all 6 rounds.

Round 1 – Taylor looks like he wants to end it early and is throwing big power punches and landing a crisp right upstairs. Christy gets right back in his face and connects with a hard left of his own. Both men tussle around the ring until the end of the round and Christy shows he is the stronger of the two.

Round 2 – Christy starts the action throwing hard shots to the head and body but Taylor counters. Christy decides to stay inside, landing stiff body blows but Taylor always seems to finish these exchanges with clean combinations. Taylor hits with another left right combo causing Christy to force the action back to the ropes where he is doing his best work. More physical battling ensues along the ropes and in the corner and Taylor finishes the round connecting with a big left to Christy’s head.

Round 3 – More action in the corner but this time it is Taylor giving the punishment hitting Christy face with a 3 punch combo. Christy starts to throw haymakers that miss the mark but soon after lands a big uppercut followed by a 3 piece that stuns Taylor. Taylor comes back with an uppercut of his own but Christy keeps coming at him hard throwing more hard overhand rights that barley miss the mark. Taylor slips in 2 more shots upstairs but eventually ends up on the ropes where Christy hits him with thunderous body blows.

Round 4 – More rope action which leads to a nice exchange by both fighters. Taylor follows up with a few good body shots of his own and 2 crisp uppercuts. There is no quit in Christy as he overpowers Taylor back to the ropes and puts another thumping on his ribs. Taylor sucks it up and responds with more uppercuts and shows his counter punching skills.

Round 5 – More stiff boxing along the ropes. Christy pounds the ribs and Taylor is countering everything coming at him. The round ends with Christy mixing the uppercut with his impact shots downstairs.

Round 6 – Both fighters come out punching, this time in the middle of the ring. Taylor hits with a right, left, right which busts Christy’s nose open. Wearing the Crimson mask Christy takes it back to where he works best and unloads a barrage of very hard body shots which leads to a slugfest causing the Philly crowd to burst into a roar. Taylor puts a move on Christy leaving him wide open for 4 big head shots that send Christy to the mat. Christy rises to his feet but Taylor goes for the kill and fires off a plethora of lefts and rights with everything he has attached. He comes close but can’t put Christy on the canvas a second time.


Winner: Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor - Split Decision.

Fight Roundup - Taylor got the victory but those ribs will be screaming at him tomorrow. I hope to see a 3rd match sometime in the future. Very good fight, kept the crowd in it from beginning to end. I would like to watch a tape of the first match.

Official Scorecard
Judge Rubenstein 58 -55 Christy
Judge LaRosa 59 -54 Taylor
Judge Dorsey 59 – 54 Taylor
Philly Keith 58-55 Taylor

Joey Eye Boxing Top 5 of the night
1) Jose Medina
2) Clarence Taylor
3) Joe Christy
4) Carlos Vinas
5) Terrance Miller




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