Mtagwa wins the rematch, Kennedy stays undefeated at The New Alhambra

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Write-up and photos by Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer & Philly Keith

The conditions outdoors in the Tri-State area were were cold, rainy and flat out miserable this past Friday night. While most would prefer to stay inside on an evening like this, the Philly fight fans weathered the storm to create a sold out, jam packed audience at The New Alhambra. As usual in this building,it was Hall of Fame promoter J. Russell Peltz playing the role of host with West coast Hall of Famer Don Chargin dropping by with the Telefutura TV crew to broadcast the fights to millions of homes across the country. In the ring, the main event of the evening was a rematch between NABF featherweight champion Rogers "The Tiger" Mtagwa of South Philly via Tanzania and Aldo Valtierra of Mexico who looked to settle some unfinished business from their tight knit affair from the summer of 2007. In their first meeting, Mtagwa won by a whisker taking a very close split decision. The rematch would be a bit different the second time around as there could be no argument made from the losing party in what turned out to be yet another tough, grind it out contest which went the full 10 round distance. In the co-feature, undefeated featherweight Teon Kennedy of North Philly was making the leap to 8 round status against this toughest opponent to date in Castulo Gonzalez of Lynn, MA. The under card was heavily loaded with fighters just starting to get their feet wet in the professional ranks. There was a 6 rounder pitting the North Philly barber Victor Vasquez taking of Rami Ibraham of the Oven Gym, Travis "The Animal" Thompson took on Emmanuel Rosas and three former Golden Gloves champions in Anthony Flores, Dennis Hasson and Perdo Martinez all made their pro debuts in separate bouts. Scroll down to read what happened on the corner of Swanson & Ritner on March 7, 2008.

ALDO VALTIERRA...........vs........ROGERS MTAGWA
131.75 lbs/37 years/5'7".........129.5 pounds/28 years/5'5"
Mexico City, Mexico..............South Philadelphia
24-8-1, 13 K0s....................22-12-3, 17 K0s

After two fighters pulling out at the last minute, promoter J. Russell Peltz saved the main event by placing a call south of the border and striking a deal with Aldo Valtierra five days before fight night for part two of their summer of 2007 battle for the NABF featherweight title which Mtagwa won by split decision. The second time around, Mtagwa left no doubt about it with constant pressure and effective punching. Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer gives the round by round details of Mtagwa vs Valtierra II.

RD1. There was no fielding out process, as Mtagwa and Valtierra both met at center ring with Mtagwa being the aggressor throwing looping, overhand rights and lunging left hooks. Meanwhile Valtierra, took the route of boxing and moving looking to counter off of Mtagwa’s attack.

RD 2. Both fighters stood there ground Mtagwa who was the busier of the two, attacked over the top with right hands while Valtierra chose to bring power shots up the middle. Again, Mtagwa was seen s the busier of the two.

RD3. It must have been a punch that either Mtagwa favored a lot, or he found to be his “home run” shot, because Mtagwa continued his attack by throwing the overhand while Valtierra, try to offset the attack, by jabbing and countering behind the pressure being applied by Mtagwa.

RD4. The action got more intense in this round, as fans saw both fighters standing their ground and exchanging thudding shots to each others head which brought cheers from the crowd.

RD5. Mtagwa started off this round with a leaping left hook. But he wasn’t able to finish up with the right hand but continued his attack on Valtierr. Thing s began to look a bit repetitious in Magwa, until he opened up with a loopng, overhand right which awakened the crowd bringing some to their feet. Valtierra clinched & held , when in close quarters sensing that this attack was starting to affect his stamina.

RD6. This round, and mostly all thereafter, saw more of the same from Valtierra basic trying to ward off the attacking Mtagwa by using a weakening jab and retreating. Mtagwa continued his attack with the overhand right this time firing it after using a stiff jab to the mid-section of Valtierra

RD7. This round was probably the best of the fight. Mtagwa caught Valtierra with a straight right hand that rocked Valtierra and had him clinching. This action brought fight fans to their feet.

RD8. Mtagwa remained aggressive keeping pressure on and towards the end of the round, caught Valtierra with a left hook.

RD9. Valtierra seemed awakened in this round as he was able to land the more effective shots while it was Mtagwa who was continuing his attack trying to land the home run overhand right to the head.

RD10.Both fighters came out gunning in this final round, and although there was no home run struck on either part, both remain busy throughout and at the end of the round, both fighters raised their hands in victory.
But it was Mtagwa advancing his career with unanimous decision victory.

In the end, Mtagwa won by unanimous decision with scores of 97 - 92 and 96 - 93 x2.










CASTULO GONZALEZ...........VS.......TEON KENNEDY
126 pounds/30 years/5'5"............125 pounds/21 years/5'5"
Lynn, MA............................North Philadelphia
9-4, 3 K0s..........................7-0, 4 K0s

The past year, Teon "The Technician" Kennedy has made the transition from amateur to pro with ease. On this night he was expected to get a good test in his first appearance as a featured fighter for Peltz Boxing Promotions. Some hail Kennedy as the best prospect in the city, but Gonzalez as spoiled some apples before, pinning the first loss on former Peltz prospect Ramaz Galshivilli. Castulo was looking to strike twice but Kennedy was out to prove that he is real deal and on his way to much bigger things. Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer gives the blow by blow report.

RD1. Kennedy began the round by displaying good boxing skills, utilizing the jab, utilizing lateral movement and having to counterpunch off of the aggressive, Gonzalez by delivering & at times, taking the lead with right hands. Gonzalez initial plan seemed to work the body of Kennedy but he was in-effective in his attack as he pursued consistently throwing lunging body shots and overhand rights.

RD2. In-fighting best describes this round, as both combatants momentarily stood toe-to-toe exchanging, body and head shots. Gonzalez was the more effective of the two as he was given the opportunity to land effective body shots. Kennedy meanwhile, began to utilize the ring by giving Gonzalez angles and setting up combinations off of his jab to offset the aggressiveness of Gonzalez.

RD3. It was more of the same from Gonzalez, as he continued his attack by attempting to land body shots and looping overhand rights, to slow the pace of Kennedy who remained in control by moving, utilizing his jab and delivering punches in bunches.

RD4. More & more infighting it was, when out of nowhere, both combatants, opened up and landed effective shots. For Kennedy it was the right uppercut that lifted Gonzalez’s head as Gonzalez countered back effectively by delivering a crisp left hook to the head of Kennedy. This was one of the more entertaining rounds of the fight. as fans were brought to their feet and began cheering aloud in the stands

RD5. Kennedy began this round by using lateral movement from side to side, looking to set things up off of the left jab and when in close quarters with the aggressive Gonzalez, he delivered his punches in bunches stepping out and setting up all over again. Gonzalez remained resolute in his attack as continued his pursuit without the usage of a jab, attempting to deliver to the body of Kennedy but his aggressiveness was beginning to become ineffective.

RD6. Both fighters began this round by going toe-to-toe and Both fighters were throwing punches in bunches but it was Kennedy that was able to land his shots effectively, at a ratio of 2-to-1.

RD7. It was back to boxing for Kennedy, as he began using lateral movement along with his jab, to keep Gonzalez at bey but Gonzalez remain aggressive throughout but at this point, his aggressiveness was neither enough or effective.


RD8. The last and final round, saw both fighters giving it all they had Gonzalez went all out, with his attack to the body as he looked to pull out the upset Kennedy stayed in control however, by delivering punches to the head at a ratio of 2 to 1 while using good lateral movement . in the end, it was Kennedy’s ring generalship that advanced his record in victory, to 8-0-4ko’s

In the end, all three judges scored it in favor of Teon Kennedy by scores of 77-75, 78-74, 78-74




 
 
 
 
 


RAMI IBRAHIM...............vs...........VICTOR VASQUEZ
137 pounds/25 years/5'7"...............136 pounds/25 years/5'5"
North Philadelphia.....................North Philadelphia
2-6-1..................................6-1, 4 K0s

This was an interested contest between two local fighters who aren't afraid to throw down and almost always gives the crowd their money worth. Vasquez come with a large group of supporters but Rami wasn't intimidated and immediately went to work, grabbing the bull by the horns in the early going, using his size advantage to slip in punches and smother Vasquez when he tried to get his shots off. Vasquez was able to keep his cool through the early trouble, made some adjustments after two and before long he was throwing and landing combinations as Ibraham continued to come forward. It was a good fight with quite a few spots where both men went toe to toe. This fight ended up going the distance with the nod going to Vasquez by way of majority decision. The scores were 57-57, 59-55, 59-55.











DENNIS HASSON.................VS........JOHN MICHAEL TERRY
164 pounds/24 years/6'1"................166 pounds/25 years/6'1"
Kensington .............................Portsmouth, VA
Pro Debut..............................2-9-3, 1KO

Former Golden Gloves champion and former collegiate boxer Dennis Hasson made his pro debut with the Kensington faith behind him in the stands. His opponent was the much more experienced John "The Baptist" Terry who has become a familiar face on the Philly circuit though he is based in Baltimore. Hasson showed that he is very solid fundamentally and looked pretty good against an awkward opponent who has already faced some of Philly's better middleweights. All four rounds were very similar with Hasson looking to work off his jab and do some boxing but Terry on the other hand was fighting like he was trying to escape a rowdy bar. There were no knockdowns and no one was seriously hurt but it was clear that Hasson won all four rounds of his pro debut. The judges agreed all scoring it 40 - 36 across the board.











TRAVIS THOMPSON...............vs.......EMMANUEL ROSES
133.5 pounds/24 years/5'6".............134 pounds/24 years/5'7"
Pottstown, PA..........................North Philadelphia
1-1, 1 K0...............................0-1

Travis "The Animal" Thompson makes it two in a row after he handily defeated Emmanuel Rosas by way of knockout in their scheduled four rounder. After a slow start, Thompson picked up the pace, pressuring his opponent which had Rosas in trouble late in the first. Things didn't get any better in the second as Thompson stayed on the attack and sealed the deal with a hard left hand at 1:56 of the round, dropped Rosas who would not beat the 10 count.



GUSTAVO DAILEY............vs............ANTHONY FLORES
132 pounds/31 years/5'8"................130.5 pounds/20 years/5'11"
West Philadelphia.......................North Philadelphia
Pro Debut...............................Pro Debut

In the final bout of the evening, former amateur standout Anthony Flores looks like he comes as advertised. In this short fight, he showed flashed of a very well school fighter with surprising pop for thin man. Dailey, who looks like a miniature K-9 Bundrage, came out immediately looking for a fight. Flores didn't get sucked in, stuck to his game plan and scored two knockdowns before the referee called off the contest at 1:42 of the round.







In the opener, Pedro Martinez scored an impressive second round knockout over Kenyetta Ravenelle in his pro debut.


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

PHILADELPHIA ADDS THIRD OLYMPIC RELATED EVENT AS USA BOXING BATTLES PUERTO RICO AT LIACOURAS CENTER AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY ON APRIL 26

(Philadelphia, PA --- March 4, 2008) National Teams from the United States and Puerto Rico will convene in the boxing Mecca of Philadelphia for an Olympic-style boxing dual at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. “U.S.A. vs. Puerto Rico: World Dual Boxing” will feature top boxers from both teams for an international event, as the two nations prepare for the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Tickets at $17, $22, $47, and $67 are on sale now at ComcastTIX.com, 1-800-298-4200, the Liacouras Center Box Office, or select ACME locations.

The World Dual Boxing marks the third Olympic related affair for the City of Philadelphia in 2008. Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor, worked closely with the City of Philadelphia in securing two 2008 Olympic related events for facilities they operate in Philadelphia. In addition to U.S.A. vs. Puerto Rico at the Liacouras Center, Global Spectrum's flagship arena, the Wachovia Center, will host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics from June 19-22, 2008. Philadelphia was also the host to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Table Tennis at Drexel University from January 10-13.

“The U.S. National Team has had a strong rivalry with Puerto Rico for years,” said USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman. “This event will preview many of the top contenders in Beijing, and promises to be a night of outstanding competition.”

“These type of high profile events put our venues in the national and international spotlight,” said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. “By continuing to lure these Olympic-type events, we, along with the City of Philadelphia, are putting ourselves in a terrific position to possibly host an Olympics.”

“An international event like the US vs Puerto Rico dual will help to raise Philadelphia’s profile as a premier Olympic sports town and further solidify our reputation as a world-class city,” said Joseph M. Torsella, co-chairman, Philadelphia Olympic & International Sports Project, an initiative of the Philadelphia Sports Congress. “Combined with Table Tennis and Gymnastics Olympic Trials, this event adds to the number of athletes whose Road to Beijing will go through Philadelphia.”

The competition at the Liacouras Center will showcase many of future Olympians who will vie for Gold when the Olympic Games start on 8/8/08. The Philadelphia event will feature two-time Olympian and 2007 World Champion Rau’shee Warren of Cincinnati, Ohio, who will represent the United States in Beijing as the first US Boxer since Davey Lee Armstrong in 1976 to compete in two Olympic Games.

The pride of Puerto Rico and Pan American Games gold medalist, McWilliams Arroyo will represent his country in Beijing and will battle the U.S. in the world dual event in Philadelphia. Arroyo defeated Warren in a previous bout at the light flyweight division and both have moved up to the flyweight division for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The United States is enjoying a resurgence in amateur boxing, and is currently ranked second in the world based upon their finish at the 2007 World Championships in Chicago, Ill. Puerto Rico and the United States last faced off in head-to-head dual action in May 2004, as the two nations battled prior to the 2004 Olympic Games.

For information on Philadelphia’s citywide celebration for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics and the yearlong celebration around the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, visit www.PhiladelphiaTrials2008.com.

USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States’ member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

The Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel seeks to attract major sporting events and conventions to the Philadelphia area. The Sports Congress, working in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia, the city’s professional teams and universities, has attracted many events to the city and is currently working on bids for future sporting events. The Philadelphia Sports Congress operates the Army/Navy Game on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.

Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com), managers of the Liacouras Center at Temple University and the Wachovia Complex, is the fastest growing firm in the public assembly facility management field with more than 70 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies, Comcast-Spectacor, which also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, a regional sports programming network, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, and Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company and 3601 Creative Group, a full-service in-house advertising agency. In a partnership with Disson Skating, Comcast-Spectacor annually produces 10 nationally televised figure skating spectaculars on NBC.

CONTACTS:
USA Boxing - Julie Goldsticker; 719-866-2304 work or 719-330-4072 cell
Global Spectrum - Eric Nemeth; 215-389-9553 work or 856-296-3614 cell


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

Teon Kennedy interview

Fight Night at The Alhambra, March 7th

By Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer

On March 7, 2008 fights fans will be treated to an entertaining evening of boxing. Headlining this fight card is “Guts-and Glory” style fighter and hometown favorite, Rogers Mtagwa (24-12-17ko’s-2draws) who will be defending his NABF Featherweight Title against late-sub, David Martinez (18-3-2ko’s-1draw). In the semi-windup, will be former amateur standout, Teon “The Technician” Kennedy. I had the opportunity to talk with Teon about his upcoming fight.
CB: Teon, I realize you are young in your PRO career (7 -0), but what was some of your amateur accomplishments?

TK: I was the 2004: Golden Glove National Champion, The “under 19” Champion, where I acquired the championship in Korea and the ABC Classic Champion.


CB: How would you describe your style?
TK: I’m what you call a “boxer-brawler”. I could outbox an opponent or if I’m faced with an opponent that has an aggressive style, I can brawl with him, to get the job done.

CB: How do you prepare for opponents both mentally and physically?
TK: Well first, I listen to my trainer, train very hard, and condition myself very well. I have a lot of family support. I have an additional motivational factor in my fights, my 2 year old daughter, Kayla.

CB: What are your short-term and long-term goals?
TK: Well first, I’d like to remain undefeated, then go from being the “co-main event”, to the “main event”, fighting on bigger networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, and PPV and lastly, becoming a WORLD CHAMPION.

CB: Thanks for the interview and good luck on your fight.
TK: No problem, Thanks



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

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Lucian Gonzalez holds Jules Blackwell to a draw in Oaks PA

Gonzalez and Blackwell battle to draw in Oaks! by Ken Hissner

Photo by Jeff Julian - www.fightnews.com

It was one of those nights where if it was going to happen it did! Power Productions and Sports Extreme put on a cut down version of the original show but the fans went home happy! It was the first time any boxing was at Cisco Arena in Oaks, Pennsylvania, just outside of Phoenixville. There were but 4 bouts but they all provided a little of something in them. Matchmaker Ty McNeil did a fine job.

The main event was a battle of wits and bumps. These two had sparred in the gym on several occasions in the past. Lucian Gonzalez (4-4-1, 3 KOs), of Reading, was coming off a big win in Reading several months ago. I don’t think Jules Blackwell (7-0-1, 2 KOs), Phoenixville, was expecting Gonzalez to be this aggressive. The southpaw Blackwell did not utilize his jab and height like he should have. He found himself battling it out with Gonzalez on many occasions. When it was all over judge Rich Hopkins had it 59-55 for Gonzalez to the delight of the crowd though Blackwell certainly had more fans there. Judges Carol Polis and Alan Rubenstein had it the same as I did at 57-57, to make it a majority draw. Gonzalez trainer Travis Kauffman, and another ringside reporter Kurt Wolfheimer of Fight News agreed with Hopkins scores of 59 - 55 for Gonzalez.

Blackwell had a lump on the side of his head the size of a golf ball. He used his share of elbows and shoulders to keep Gonzalez off of him and was warned on many occasions by referee Gary Rosado. Gonzalez seemed to enjoy the action by smiling throughout the contest. If this fight doesn’t have all the earmarks of REMATCH on it nothing does. Blackwell’s corner of Jimmy Deoria and Johnny Mulvaney seemed disappointed in the performance of their boxer and satisfied with the draw. “I got robbed,” said Gonzalez afterwards. Where have I heard that before? He certainly landed the most punches overall but you have to do it in each round, not half of them. These two warriors were just over the super bantam limit. Both have fights scheduled in the next two weeks if they are able after this war.

The semi-final bout had light heavyweights Shannon Anderson (3-1, 1 KO), Coatesville, and Zeferino Albino (3-4-1, 1 KO), Philadelphia, in a war of their own. Anderson seemed to take the first round though it was close. In the second round Anderson suffered a nasty cut above the left eye brow, half way down his nose. Somehow at the same time the top rope broke. It caused a twenty minute delay while Anderson stood there bleeding through half of the repair work on the ropes before the doctor stepped into the ring and said Anderson was able to continue the action. Before you know it, as Albino was landing a wide right hand to Anderson’s side, they collided again like a pair of billy goats. The referee Frank Cappuccino started to count when Anderson hit the canvas. Commissioner Greg Sirb being right on the situation in front of him jumped in and ruled it an accidental head butt leaving no other alternative but to rule it a no contest. It seemed Albino was having the better of it at the time. He was filling in at the last moment coming off an upset draw several weeks ago in Atlantic City. Time of stoppage was 1:14 of the second round.

The previous fight, if you want to call it that, was between big Grant Cudjoe (15-3, 10 KOs), Brooklyn, New York, who stopped Octavius Smith, (4-5, 3 KOs), Indianapolis, Indiana who was looking like he hadn’t spent too much time in the gym. Cudjoe landed his jab at will until a right hand dumped Smith to one knee between the two lower ropes. He took the count of referee Rosado on a knee with a dazed look, at 2:01 of the very first round.

The opening bout had Coy Evans (2-0), Philadelphia, coming off a three year lay-off to batter Brooklyn’s Elias Castillo (0-4) in a featherweight match. Castillo was gamed though outclassed by Evans. All three judges had it 40-36 in favor of Evans.

At ringside were former IBF featherweight champion Calvin Grove of Coatesville along with Rob Calloway, the All-American prizefighter who holds the WBC Continental Americas, IBF International and NABA cruiserweight titles. He will be headlining at the Day’s Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania on March 15th.

The show was followed by a UFC heavyweight title bout on closed circuit for the fans. I certainly wasn’t one of them. There were even two exhibitions of under ten year old kids that fit right in to the old Kid Mitten’s days in Norristown that local celebrity Hank Cisco ran. Cisco was there in tribute to the facility being named after him and his even more famous brother Tony. As a matter of fact two of his former Kid Mitten boxers Herbie Brown and Jeff Jowett (covering the fight) were in attendance. The promoters say they will do it again May 24^th here at Cisco Arena.


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