Charles Brewer Bio

Charles Brewer was born on October 15, 1969, in Philadelphia, PA. At a young age, he learned what it meant to protect yourself at all times by growing up on the rough streets of North Philly. Brewer was introduced to the sport of boxing when he was just 8 years old, but it wasn't until age 14, when he met up with former middleweight contender Bobby "Boogaloo" Watts, who holds a win over former Undisputed World Middleweight Champion, Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Charles had a fairly short amateur career having only 17 fights and finishing his amateur career with a record of 14-3. However, during that short stint in the amateur ranks, he won the Golden Gloves Championship in 1988.

On August 3, 1989, Brewer turned pro and immediately was blessed with having his first professional fight televised on national TV. From that day on, "The Hatchet" was born. Brewer would fight frequently in front of his hometown of Philadelphia at the legendary Blue Horizon and in fact, he won his first title belt (USBA Super Middleweight) there on March 12, 1996, when he defeated Frank Rhodes by unanimous decision.

The following year, Charles won the vacant IBF Super Middleweight title by knocking out Gary Ballard in the 5th round. Brewer would make three successful defenses of his IBF title. On October 24, 1999, he would travel to Leipzig, Germany to defend his title against undefeated Sven Ottke. Charles would lose a highly controversial 12 round split decision to Ottke.

After the Ottke loss, Brewer reeled off three wins all by KO in the second round. Charles would return to Germany on September 2, 2000 and once again, came up on the short end of the stick, dropping another controversial split decision to Sven Ottke.

Brewer would not remain without a belt around his waist for long and on October 5, 2001, he beat Fernando Zuniga via a 12 round unanimous decision adding the NABF Super Middleweight title to his showcase.

During his career, he also faced the likes of WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe, Mario Veit, Lolenga Mock and Antwun Echols, in one of the best fights of 2001.

Charles’ career has also a different twist to it. Charles has, throughout most of his career, been very active in the TECHNOLOGY side of things as well. Charles has been employed at some of the largest corporations in the U.S. (ATT, JP MORGAN, UNISYS, BRISTOL MYERS SQUIB) and Charles is also, Microsoft Certified (MCP,MCDST).

Also, Charles’ career has been televised on the following networks: ESPN,ESPN2,SHOWTIME,USA NETWORK, TELEFUTURA


Charles Brewer
(The Hatchet)
(Super-Middleweight)
(Retired)
Professional record: 50 fights; 40+ (28 KO), 10-
1996-1997: United States Super middleweight
1997-1998: I.B.F. Super middleweight
2001: North America Super middleweight
- 1989 -
+ (Aug-3-1989, Philadelphia) Jerome Johnson ko 3
+ (Sep-25-1989, Atlantic City) Robert Edmonds 4
+ (Oct-3-1989, Philadelphia) Ron Reid kot 3
+ (Nov-7-1989, Atlantic City) Eric RHINEHART kot 3
+ (Dec-19-1989, Atlantic City) John MC CLENDON 4
- 1990 -
+ (Jan-14-1990, Atlantic City) John MC CLENDON kot 4
+ (Mar-18-1990, Atlantic City) Roberto Perez kot 3
+ (Apr-29-1990, Atlantic City) Willie Douglas 8
+ (Jun-24-1990, Atlantic City) Willie Douglas 6
+ (Sep-21-1990, Atlantic City) Fred Rivera kot 4
+ (Dec-28-1990, Atlantic City) Freddy Sanchez 6
- 1991 -
+ (Mar-8-1991, Atlantic City) Eddie Evans kot 3
+ (May-16-1991, Atlantic City) Mark Buchanan 8
+ (Aug-9-1991, Atlantic City) Joaquin VELASQUEZ kot 2
- (Sep-20-1991, Philadelphia) Robert THOMAS 6
- 1992 -
- (Jan-12-1992, Atlantic City) Robert THOMAS 8
+ (Jun-25-1992, Philadelphia) Willie Harris ko 1
+ (Aug-14-1992, Atlantic City) Ernest KENNEDY ko 1
+ (Sep-11-1992, Atlantic City) Ricky STACKHOUSE kot 3
+ (Oct-13-1992, Philadelphia) Danny MITCHELL ko 3
- 1993 -
+ (Jan-26-1993, Philadelphia) Aaron Smith kot 4
+ (May-11-1993, Philadelphia) Carl Sullivan ko 6
+ (Jul-20-1993, Philadelphia) Steve Darnell kot 2
+ (Nov-23-1993, Philadelphia) Mario Munoz kot 1
- 1994 -
- (Feb-1-1994, Philadelphia) Lonnie BEASLEY kot 1
- (Jun-14-1994, Philadelphia) Rafael WILLIAMS kot 6
+ (Oct-20-1994, Ledyard) Terry SEAY ko 2
- (Nov-8-1994, Mashantucket) Rodney TONEY 10
- 1995 -
+ (Aug-1-1995, Philadelphia) Adam GARLAND kot 3
+ (Oct-17-1995, Philadelphia) Mark Buchanan ko 2
- 1996 -
+ (Mar-12-1996, Philadelphia) Frank RHODES 12 (United States, Super
middleweight)
+ (Oct-4-1996, New York) Fermin CHIRINOS 8
- 1997 -
+ (Feb-18-1997, Philadelphia) Greg WRIGHT 12 (United States, Super
middleweight)
+ (Jun-21-1997, Tampa) Gary BALLARD kot 5 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
+ (Dec-2-1997, Philadelphia) Joey DE GRANDIS 12 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
- 1998 -
+ (Mar-28-1998, Atlantic City) Herol GRAHAM kot 10 (I.B.F., Super
middleweight)
+ (Aug-22-1998, Leipzig) Antoine BYRD kot 3 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
- (Oct-24-1998, Dusseldorf) Sven OTTKE 12 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
- 1999 -
+ (May-8-1999, Dusseldorf) Carlton HOLLAND kot 2
+ (Oct-29-1999, Indianapolis) Reggie STRICKLAND kot 2
- 2000 -
+ (Mar-3-2000, Verona) Laverne CLARK ko 2
- (Sep-2-2000, Magdebourg) Sven OTTKE 12 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
+ (Dec-8-2000, Philadelphia) Esteban CERVANTES kot 1
- 2001 -
- (May-19-2001, Uncasville) Antwun ECHOLS kot 3
+ (Oct-5-2001, Philadelphia) Fernando ZUNIGA 12 (North America, Super
>middleweight)
- 2002 -
- (Apr-20-2002, Cardiff) Joe CALZAGHE 12 (W.B.O., Super middleweight)
+ (Aug-2-2002, Ledyard) Scott PEMBERTON kot 6
- 2003 -
+ (Jan-31-2003, Atlantic City) Etienne WHITAKER 10
+ (Sep-19-2003, Toms River) Freeman BARR kot 5
- 2004 -
- (Nov-6-2004, Riesa) Mario VEIT kot 9



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

Go to http://www.phillykeith.com/ for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

Robert Bam Bam Hines Interview

By Ken Hissner of www.doghouseboxing.com

He was 8 when he started boxing. He was 1978 #106 State GG champ when I first saw him, though telling me recently he only weighed 90 pounds representing Moylan Recreation Center, 25th and Diamond, in Philadelphia. His amateur record was 178-11. His next door neighbor was Bernard Hopkins whom he beat in a 1977 amateur bout. He would later spar with Hopkins as a pro and still “kick his ass” as Hines put it. Hopkins remarked on HBO prior to the Tarver fight “the two toughest southpaw’s I ever fought were #2 John David Jackson (WBO light middleweight and WBA middleweight champion), #1 Rob ‘Bam Bam’ Hines. Basketball great Hank Gathers and current Temple University women’s coach Dawn Staley also grew up in the neighborhood.

Hines had fought 1972 and 1976 Olympian Davey Armstrong three times losing all three in close fights. He also fought former WBA junior welterweight champion Johnny Bumphus in the amateurs.

In March 16, 1980 14 members of an Olympic boxing team fell to their death on a US flight to Warsaw, Poland. Little did they know there would not be an Olympics for the United States due to President Carter’s boycott. Philadelphia’s Lonnie Young was one of the victims. Bobby Czyz, Marvis Frazier, Alex Ramos, Jimmy Clark, Lee Roy Murphy and Rob Hines were scheduled to be on that flight. That same year Hines dad died. It was a bad time in his life. He lost to future NABF champion Tyrone “Butterfly” Crawley that year in the National A.A.U. tournament and thought it best to take time off before he turned pro in March of 1981.

As a pro he was 25-3-1 (17) over a ten year period. He retired at the age of 29. He won the IBF light middleweight title in November of 1988. I had a chance to talk to Rob and discuss his good but short career.

KH: You turn pro winning your first 17 fights. I notice you have a win over Rocky Balboa in your 4th fight in Las Vegas. That is not who I think it is, is it?

RH: (Both laughing) No.

KH: Who trained and managed you?

RH: Al Fennell was always my trainer from the time I started. Sam Ingerman was my only manager. He also had Charles Singleton and Roger Stafford.

KH: In June of 1984 you suffer your first loss to Ricardo Bryant (11-5, 8 KOs) in A.C. by 7th round tko. What happened?

RH: My head was getting too big for me. I hurt my left hand, but that had nothing to do with my loss. Bryant was very strong.

KH: In your next bout you take on Kevin Howard who had just come off a loss to Sugar Ray Leonard and you win an easy decision.

RH: When Ray wanted to have a comeback fight he wanted a tough Philly fighter. He had Richard Nixon (not the president), Buster Drayton, Howard and Hines to pick from. He chose Howard and had to come off the canvas to win a decision. I got the loser as it turned out.

KH: Your next fight is against tough James “Hard Rock” Green (20-6, 12 KOs) in his home state of NJ and you get a draw. What kind of a decision was that?

RH: I thought I won that fight.

KH: In August of 1987 you fight Donald Bowers (21-3-1, 14 KOs) from Detroit. The record shows you had him down in the 2nd round and continued to hit him. You were awarded a tko win that was reversed to a no contest in two. Bowers would never fight again.

RH: We went to court to get that decision reversed but didn’t win. Actually, I grabbed the top rope with my right hand and used it for leverage and knocked him down with my left hand. That was illegal for me to do that.

KH: You followed up with a win over Michigan state champion Tony Montgomery (18-2, 12 KOs) whose only loss up until then was a disqualification to Donald Curry.

RH: We fought for the USBA title and I stopped him in the 10th round.

KH: Next was future world champion Steve Little from upstate Reading, Meldrick Taylor’s cousin. You defend your USBA title in winning an easy decision.

RH: My hand problem continued but I can’t afford a long layoff in getting an operation.

KH: After a warm-up knockout win you get your title fight against unbeaten Canadian Matthew Hilton (29-1, 23 KOs) who is the IBF light middleweight champion in November 1988. I had met his two brothers along with his dad at Cus D’Amato’s house in Catskill just before Matthew turned pro.

RH: I beat him in Las Vegas. We then signed to meet Darrin Van Horn (38-0, 24 KOs) in Atlantic City. If we beat him we get a five fight deal with Bob Arum (Top Rank) and go to Italy to fight Gianfranco Rosi (45-3). This time I hurt my left hand in the first round. The pain hurt so bad I wanted to quit. My trainer told me to use my right jab and get thru the fight best I could. I managed to win a couple of rounds but not the fight. I lost my title and a big contract deal winding up with two bad hands.

KH: You take nine months off and return to score a quick stoppage of Salim Muhammad (7-3-1, 1 KO). He had just lost a ten round decision to Van Horn the month before. You would be the only person to stop him during his career.

RH: I knew I wouldn’t be fighting much longer.

KH: In what would be your last fight you lose to Brett Lally (26-5, 16 KOs) from Michigan for the vacant NABF title in Atlantic City.

RH: I had to lose twenty pounds in a short period of time to make 154. He stopped me in the 4th round. That would be the end of my career.

KH: I met you at an amateur tournament in Philly back in September. I saw you again in December at Shuler’s Gym where you said you had a fighter in a tournament that night.

RH: I train amateurs, pro’s and people who just want to learn how to box.

KH: I appreciate the interview and will I be seeing you in Dover, Delaware next month on a Dave Tiberi co-promoted show? I know the two of you sparred with Hopkins.

RH: I will be there. If you need anything else please let me. It was my pleasure.

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

Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

Rasheem Brown TKO's Medina at The Blue Horizon

photos by Zach Radel

The 2008 fight season kicked off at The Legendary Blue Horizon with Greg Robinson & the Power Productions posse playing host with a 7 fight card for the near sell out crowd in attendance. The original main event between Trenton's Italian Assassin Chucky Cavallo and Philly's Jameel "Black Gold" Wilson for the Tri State Light Heavyweight title was canceled at the last minute due to a sports hernia suffered by Cavallo. Look for this one in March. Not to fear because two Philly sluggers were waiting in the wings and "The Untouchable" Rasheem Brown and Jose "El Macho" Medina gladly took over the role as headliners and both gave it their all. The under card was stacked up with up and comers who were looking to position themselves for big things in the near future. Mark "Oaktree" Brown, Tyric "Too Sweet" Robinson, "Hammerin" Hank Lundy and more were set for action. To the naked eye, this could have looked like an easy night for some fighters, but matchmaker Ty McNeil once again did his thing and put together a good card which had a big upset, a big knockout and a couple of toe to toe battles that went the distance and could have gone either way. Scroll down to get the full report.

Middleweight Division

Rasheem Brown...vs...Jose Medina
South Philly.........North Philly
17-3, 14ko's.........14 - 9, 10ko's

This impromptu main event featured two experienced fighters who came through the local ranks and are known for the TNT loaded in their mitts. It was figured that this one would end early though it was scheduled for 8 rounds, the only question was who would it be? "The Untouchable" Rasheem Brown was returning after two years out of the ring though he has played stayed active going into camp with some of the top names in the business. Jose "El Macho" Medina has stayed pretty active lately with mixed results and made the jump up to the middleweight division for this one.

Brown looked to be in tip top condition and didn't look very rusty. Medina fought with the heart that earned him the name "El Macho". For the first two rounds Brown bounced, jabbed and slipped in his powerful right hand which landed at a high percentage. Medina stayed game through 2, taking some clean punches and lunging back throwing his fiery left hook which has left many men on their back staring at the ceiling. Brown staggered Medina near the end of two with an uppercut as the bell sounded. To start the 3rd, Medina came out with the intentions of going blow for blow but early in the round was caught with a short left hook which put him down. Woozy but not completely done, Medina rose to his feet around the 8 count but Brown jumped right back in there with a hard four punch combo which left referee Gary Rosato no choice but to end the fight.

It was a good fight while it lasted, if 'Sheem is back for good we could have a major shake up in the pound for pound rankings. Macho hung tough but is probably better suited going back down in weight. Hopefully we will see both fighters again soon.

Winner: Rasheem Brown who improves to 18 - 3, 15ko's



Junior Welterweight Division

Tyric Robinson...vs...Jason Jordan
Philadelphia..........Akron, Ohio
8-1, 3ko's............4-17

The co-feature turned out to be the surprise of the night as traveled journeyman Jason Jordan gets his first win in Philly on his sixth try over the highly regarded jr. welterweight prospect Tyric "Too Sweet" Robinson with a four round unanimous decision.

Too Sweet, who was fresh off a fight of the year candidate has been gaining a very good buzz lately with his recent run of entertaining fights. Jordan on the other hand has found a niche in boxing as the guy brought in to give some work to fighters in the 140 - 147 lb class but rarely coming out on top.

On this night, Jordan found a plan that worked early and stuck to it. Jab, run, jab seemed to be the theme of this fight. Tyric made attempts to kick start his offense with combinations to the body but Jordan was able to squirm out of harms way in a nick of time.

There weren't many big punches landed and no one was hurt at any point. It was an off night for Too Sweet who hopes to bounce back soon against a more talented opponent, Jordan on the other hand parlays this win into a date against former amateur great Danny Garcia on February 2nd in Boston.

It went to the cards after four and they read 40 - 36 x 2 and 39 - 37 for Jason Jordan.

Winner: Jason Jordan who improves to 5 - 17



Heavyweight Division

Mark Brown...vs...Kevin Hood
Salem,NJ..........Coatesville, PA
11 - 1, 3ko's.....5-6

Mark "Oaktree" Brown's last fight in his hometown was cut short due to some rough housing and he wasn't very happy about it. He took this fight on short notice and took out soem frustrations on Kevin Hood by scoring three big knockdowns to secure a 1st round knockout. It all started about a minute into the fight with a left hook to the top of the head which put Hood down. Hood got up but never seeemed to fully recover as Oaktree stayed on him, throwing and landing hard combinations. After a second knockdown, Hood showed heart and got back up but Oaktree landed his patented super punch to finish the job at 2:51 of the round.

Winner: Mark "Oaktree" Brown who improves to 12-1, 4ko's




Light Heavyweight Division

Tony Ferrante...vs...Camron Bright
Northeast Philly.....Philly
1-0..................1-8

Tony Ferrante started his pro career with a bang last month at the Blue with an entertaining two way battle which he won. On this night, it was more of a calculated approach against an experienced opponent in Bright. The majority of this fight was spent on the inside with Ferrante mixing it up going to the body and head and Bright looking to do the majority of his work downstairs. It got physical in there at times but both fighters kept their composure and kept a steady pace throughout.

Bright fought hard every round but Ferrante's speed and combinations were the deciding factor in earning a unanimous four round decision by scores of 40 - 36x2 and 39-37.

Winner: Tony Ferrante who improves to 2 - 0




Lightweight Division

Jesus Barbosa...vs...Rami Ibraham
Philly...............Philly
1-0, 1ko.............2-6

Jesus Barbosa was returning to the ring after starting his career with an impressive first round knockout win at the Blue in November. His opponent was Rami Ibraham was returning after two years and was known for putting out entertaining fights despite a sub par record.

This one didn't disappoint as both fighters went at it from the start. Ibraham was the busier of the two but Barbosa was the one landing harder punches. Neither fighter stayed more than a few inches away from the other and put together good spots in the middle of the ring as well as on the ropes. It was one of those fights where it could have gone either way as most of the rounds were very close. The was ruled a draw at 38 - 38 by all three judges and I'm not going to argue it.

Light Heavyweight Division

Farah Khalil...vs...Juergan Hartenstein
Jersey..............Germany
2-2, 1ko............11-12, 2ko's

Farah Khalil come into this match riding a 2 fight winning streak, much of which is attributed to his work with new trainer Billy Briscoe. Juergan Hartenstein has been in our area before and though he isn't the most technical guy out there, he does fight with heart and has a good chin.

This one was the tale of two fights. In the first two rounds, Khalil slowly but surely picked Juergan off with the jab as the German fighter tried to get inside. Khalil continued to find opportunities as he used the ring, jabbed and mixed in some good body shots. In the second round, Briscoe called for "The Windshield" wiper and shortly after, Juergan went to a knee courtesy of a short left hook. Juergan got up but it didn't look like things were going to change anytime soon after the second round.

Boy was I wrong because in the 3rd, Hartenstein came out like a house on fire. He kept coming forward and landed big right after big right for the entire round. The crowd went nuts. It was more of the same in the 4th and those right hands looked to be taking their toll but Khalil hung in there making it to the final bell.

There outcome was in the hands of the judges who all scored the fight 38-37 in favor of Farrah Khalil with the knockdown being the deciding factor. The crowd loudly disapproved and some argued that the third could have been counted as a 10-8. Either way, Briscoe's newest charge goes 3 - 0 since joining the Oven gym.

Winner: Khalil Farrah who improves to 3-2, 1ko
Junior Welterweight Division


Hank Lundy...vs...Damon Antoine
Philly............Ohio
9-0, 6ko's........7-20, 3ko's

In the opener, rising prospect Hammerin Hank Lundy continued his winning ways as earned a unanimous decision over the wily Damon Antoine, who makes it his duty to test the up and comers in the world.

Due to a through inspection by security, we were unable to catch this fight but word is that the Hammer was in control throughout and scored a 5th round knockdown after switching to southpaw. All three judges scored it 60 - 53. Look for The Hammer to fight on a big stage really soon!

Winner: Hammerin' Hank Lundy who improves to 10-0 6ko's



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

Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

Upcoming fights in Sewell New Jersey

On Thursday, January 24th, Big Box Promotions in association with Fighting City Productions held a press conference to announce their upcoming card in Sewell New Jersey.

Scheduled for action are undefeated prospects Chazz Witherspoon & Tommy Rainone to go along with Derek Ennis who fight a 10 rounder against Edwin Vasquez for one of the smaller belts in the junior middleweight division.

In attendance were Derek Ennis, Chazz Witherspoon, Mark "Oaktree" Brown, Jennifer Mollister and Kareemah Thomas who will be fighting in a ladies contest.

Quotes from the fighters:

Derek Ennis "My fans know what I bring. I am coming to fight, and I wont stop. Rest assured, I will put on a show"

Chazz Witherspoon " It is great to be fighting in my home town area. I had to jump at this chance. There are very good heavyweights out there, and it is time the people of South Jersey see the talent it has produced. It is going to be an amazing show"

Mark "Oaktree" Brown "aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh, Superpunch!!!!"

Mollister & Thomas took the stage and had an argument which led to some bumping and elbowing though no blows were thrown.

The event will be held at:
THE COMMERCE BANK ARTS CENTER SEWELL NEW JERSEY.
519 HURFVILLE CROSS KEYS RD.
CALL TICKETMASTER 215 - 336 - 2000 / 856 - 338 - 9000












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

Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

Omar Pittman interview

photo by Mike Baluk courtesy of www.peltzboxing.com


Over the years, Simon Gratz High School has produced the highest number of successful professional athletes to come out of Philly. Bulldogs of the past include Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella who won 3 MVP’s for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Meldrick Taylor who went on to win an Olympic Gold metal as a featherweight in 1984 and my personal favorite Rasheed Wallace who wears an NBA championship ring and is still banging on NBA forwards 13 seasons into his career just to name a few. While they haven’t quite taken Roman Catholic’s crown as the Philly high school basketball powerhouse, every season they are expected to run the show in the public league. At this school which prides itself on being one of the toughest in the city, you don’t just learn how to fight, you also learn how to win. With all of this history behind him, former Gratz Bulldog Omar Pittman heads to Canada this Friday for a nationally televised fight against the world rated, undefeated Jean Pascal on ESPN 2. This time, the shoe is on the other foot because not many “experts” are giving him a shot in hell to win. He knows what he is up against, because for all intents and purposes, this weeks edition of Friday Night Fights is being thought of as a showcasing of sorts. With former title challenger Edison Miranda fighting in the main event and the undefeated Pascal on the co-feature, the suits are drooling over the idea of matching up two top fighters at the 168 lbs mark in an eliminator for a portion of the world title. While all of the promos revolve around the two bigger named fighters, Omar Pittman made it clear that he is not making this trip to be someone’s stepping stone and that he feels he is one of the best in the world in his weight class. While the Philly born super middleweight doesn’t have the world best record, he does believe in his chances of pulling off a major upset. It is definitely the most important fight to date in a career that has seen its share of big knockout wins and a few disappointing losses as well. 10 years ago, another Gratz alum “Mighty” Ivan Robinson stole Arturo Gatti’s thunder and rocked the boxing world with the 1998 Ring Magazine Upset of the Year, maybe lightening still strike twice. I was able to chat with Pittman for a little bit of back ground info as he finished up workout in preparation for the biggest fight of his young career.

Philly Keith: You have a big fight coming up on Friday, what do you know about Jean Pascal?

Omar Pittman: I just got a chance to see him fight, and I’ll tell you he didn’t impress me. Until recently I never even heard of him. Now all of a sudden people say he is this big guy. Hey, to each his own but after Friday he will be 20 – 1.

PK: Are you feeling a little slighted that all the hype in this fight is around a potential Pascal – Edison Miranda fight?

OP: Nah not really, maybe a little bit. My mindset is to go into there and shock the world. They can call it an upset or whatever if they want. Since I am 15 – 3 – 1, they are feeling that they can take me. We will see about that.

PK: Who do you think some of the best in the Super Middleweight division are?

OP: There are some guys out there but I can’t really say if they are of aren’t the best until they step into the ring with me.

PK: What was your amateur career like?

OP: I stuck around the amateurs for a minute, fought in the golden gloves, regionals and things like that. Then I turned pro in 2004. I fought as an amateur at 147lbs but since I turned pro I have been at 168lbs.

PK: Where do you train?

OP: I mostly train out of Champs Gym but lately I have been bouncing around.

PK: Who is your team?

OP: My trainer Dwight Triplett is also my manager. When I started my career I was managed by Bob Botto who passed away not long ago. When Bob passed I talked with Dwight and we decided to keep it the same. He brought me up to what I am today and without him I wouldn’t know a lot of the things I know now. My promoter is J. Russell Peltz.

PK: I know you are pressed on time, is there anything you want to say in closing?

OP: You might not know me now but for future reference look out me. I think the world is going to be shocked.


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

Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

2007 local Philly boxing awards

Local Fighter of the Year

Mike "Machine Gun" Jones

Every year, one fighter separates themselves from the pack. Last year it was Harry Yorgey, the year before that it was Eddie Chamber. In 2007, Mike Jones took the quick leap from early 4 round prelim fighter to main eventer by knocking out all 7 men who stood in front of him in this year. In every fight he raised the level of competition and by the end of 2008, he could be in a position to put some of the worlds best welterweights on notice. He has become the man they pay to see at The New Alhambra, pretty soon he might be the man they pay to see on TV. Hand speed, two fisted power, knockout potential, he has it all. There are still a few questions lingering to see what the Mount Airy native can or can not do, he has already done enough to cement his status as the top national prospect fighting in our region. Catch him while you can because this show might be going on the road really soon.

Rookie of the Year

Teon Kennedy

Teon "The Technician" turned pro in January of this year and has made the transition from amateur to pro look really easy so far. The former Golden Glover & National Champion has drawn comparisons to another fellow Philly featherweight Jeff Chandler who happens to be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. While some say Teon is the second coming, others say hold up because Joltin' Jeff only had 2 amateur fights and that Teon's experience will carry him much further as a pro. Time will tell if these great comparisons are warranted but I do have to say that Teon is off to a great start in his young career and a lot of people are looking forward to a 2008 where he steps up the competition. From what I have seen so far, he does seem to be a very well schooled boxer but can also but an opponent down for the count.

Upset of The Year

Dave Brunelli over Aaron Lyons - UD

Coming into this fight, not many were giving Brunelli a snowballs chance in hell to win this one. Aaron Lyons was fresh off a 1st round TKO over Joey Abell, a fighter who was flat out smoking people at the time. Brunelli on the other hand was fresh off of an uninspired loss to Levon Warner. Comcast was in the house and the honchos at The Blue Horizon were ready to springboard Lyons into main event status after this one. But then a funny thing happened in this contest. Team Brunelli brought their A game and overcame what seemed to be a 300 degree Fahrenheit night at The Blue and handed Lyons his first loss as a pro. This fight vaulted Brunelli into bigger fights during the year while Lyons hasn't been seen or heard from since.

Knockout of the Year

Joey Abell knocks Cornelius Ellis out of the ring twice @ The Legendary Blue Horizon - 02/09/07

"Minnesota Ice" almost incites a riot at The Blue by knocking his opponent out of the ring and into my lap not once but twice! I am still waiting on a thank you card from Ellis for saving his life by not letting him splat on the concrete floor. Watch the video here

Local Philly Fight of the Year

Lenny DiVictoria TKO 6 over Elad Schmouel @ The Legendary Blue Horizon 12/07/07

This fight had it all. Young prospect against grizzled veteran, an early knockdown and a late surge to cause a knockout victory. There were a lot of great moments in this two way thriller but after withstanding an early assault from the young Israeli solder, North Philly's "El Diablo" Lenny DiVictoria dug deep and eventually scored an amazing 6th round TKO in this scheduled 8 round main event. Fittingly, this was the last final fight Philly would see in 2007