photos by Mike "Teek" McGuigan
The streets of Philly were soggy on November 14th, but that didn't stop the fight fans from once again packing into the New Alhambra for a J. Russell Peltz / Top Rank boxing collaboration which was carried live by the soon to be defunct Solo Boxeo series. The main event pitted two undefeated outsiders who traveled east for their big chance in a division where the well of opportunity is bone dry. The co-feature gave us a glimpse of a prospect on the rebound and the under card showcased the skills of quite a few young hopefuls from our area who are making their way through the local ranks. Some are still in the early stages of their career while others or on the cusp on making the leap to the next level. There were a lot of knockouts on a night where a new NABF super flyweight champion was crowned, a boxing barber quickly faded out a competitor and a young prospect inches his way closer to a world ranking. All this and more from the South Philly fight hall, scroll down to see how it all went down.
Super Flyweight DivisionRaul Martinez.... vs..... Victor Proa
San Antonio, TX..........Mexico
23-0, 13ko's.............26-0-2, 19ko's
The main event became a small part of Philly boxing history as this marked the first time a super flyweight contest headlined a boxing card in our city. While that is a nice side note for us, the two undefeated out of towners participating in the main event had a lot more at stake. The regional NABF title was on the line but more importantly, a world title shot loomed for the winner in a division where fame and big pay opportunities are at a bare minimum.
In the blue corner stood San Antonio's Raul "The Cobra" Martinez. Once a highly decorated amateur, he has gone on to secure a top 10 ranking in every major boxing sanctioning body during his short time as a pro. In his most recent outing, he earned a 12 round unanimous decision over former WBO champion Isidaro Garcia.
Much wasn't known about Proa coming in, but the record books indicated that he had the heavier hands due to his 19 of his wins coming by way of the knockout. A pro for less than 3 years, Proa saw this opportunity as his time to shine as the fight was carried across the globe on Solo Boxeo.
On paper, it looked like it would be two young hungry fighters ready to slug it out. But this is boxing and things usually don't turn out as expected. When the opening bell sounded, Raul Martinez stole Proa's thunder early as it only took the San Antonio native 68 seconds to knockout his foe with a vicious multiple punch assault. A clean Martinez right hook sealed the deal putting Proa out on his feet, leaving referee Gary Rosato no choice but to step in and stop the contest.
Now, Martinez eyes the big time fight in a division where Vic Darchinyan sits on top.
Winner - TKO 1 1:06 - Raul Martinez who improves to 24-0, 14ko's
Welterweight DivisionAlexis Camacho vs. Edvan Barros
Austin, TX.........Bahia, Brazil
16-1, 15ko's........9-5-1, 7ko's
In the co-feature, big punching Mexican Alexis Camacho looked to earse the stink of his only career loss which came in his last contest against Trenton's slick southpaw Terrance Cauthen. Prior to the night, Camacho strung together 15 consecutive knockout wins, all of which coming against anonymous competitors.
Barros, a Brazilian who also moonlights as a martial arts dancer, has come up through the boxing circuit the hard way. His record isn't a glossy one but it does include a stiff line of competition, highlighted by a decision loss to former world champion Luis Collazo.
When Camacho fought Cauthen, he was forced to run and chase all night. This time, it was no secret that Barros moved in one direction, forward. This served Camacho perfectly as he landed some hard straight rights in the 1st round as Barros looked to get inside. It was more of the same to start round 2, and :52 seconds in,Camacho connected with a pin point left uppercut that sent Barros to the floor.
Barros beat the count but was definitely woozy. Referee Blair Talmedge decided to stop the fight siting Barros failure to immediately respond to instructions. Barros objected but State Athletic director Greg Sirb stood by his mans decision and upheld the KO win for Camacho, who improves to 17 - 1, 16ko's
Super Bantamweight Division Teon Kennedy....vs.... Felipe Almanza
North Philly............Lorica, Columbia
10-0, 5ko's.............14-14-1, 7ko's
North Philly Super Bantamweight prospect Teon "The Technician" Kennedy inches his way closer to a world ranking as he won a 6 round unanimous decision against Columbia's Felipe Almanza.
Kennedy, a fighter some are hailing as the best pound for pound prospect in this town, did all the work in this one. Almanza was thought to be one willing to make a fight out of things since he has been disqualified in two of his last three fights, decided to ride his bike through all 6 rounds, circling around the ring and avoiding any exchanges as Teon chased and tried to cut him off.
No major moments of two way action and no one was staggered in this fight. Though this fight was a stylistic nightmare for the fans, it serves as a learning experience for Kennedy on how to respond when facing a fighter who moves and uses the ring. It went to the scorecards which read 60 - 54 x 2 and 59 - 55 for the North Philly Technician.
The win puts Kennedy one fight closer to a ranking in the USBA, something his team ha their eyes on for some time now. While a world stage is definitely in Teon's future, many at ringside speculated on a State title run again Reading's Lucian Gonzalez or Eric "Outlaw" Hunter to see once and for all who is the best in this town at this weight.
Lightweight DivisionVictor Vasquez.. vs... Mario Galan
North Philly...........Hollywood, FL
7-2, 4KO'S.............4-4-1, 3KO'S
Welcome back Victor Vasquez. After 6 months on the bench recovering from an eye injury suffered in his last match, a fight of the year candidate against Ryan Belasco, the boxing barber returned to score a fierce 2nd round KO over Mario Galan of Florida.
In typical Vic Vasquez style, this one had a lot of action. Galan started strong, pressuring Vasquez and landing some good punches on the inside. Vasquez seemed to get warmed up midway through the round and at the end end of round one, rocked Galan with a big left hook just as the bell sounded.
Round 2 started and Vasquez didn't let Galen off the hook as he landed a big right hand which sent Galan to the canvas. It was ruled a slip but Galan was hurt and Vasquez went in for the kill. A Vasquez left- right combo sent Galan to the floor again. Galan got up but soon after took another big left which put him down again, this time he was smart enough to stay there.
Winner - 2nd round tKO 1:55 Victor Vasquez
Lightweight DivisionAnthony Flores vs. Francisco Palacious
North Philly......Stamford, Connecticut
5-0, 3ko's.........4-6-4, 1ko
In his short time as a pro, Anthony Flores has had quite a few action fights. Though he has never really been behind on the cards or seriously staggered, there have been a few moments where it looked like his opponent might just have a shot at pulling off the upset. Then, all of a sudden, Flores steps on the gas and gets his opponent out of there.
Francisco Palacios, a fighter who had given stiff challenges to just about every young fighters in this area, Teon Kennedy included, earned this fight on the strength of a one sided upset win over the previously undefeated Jesus Barbosa in August.
For the first two rounds, it looked like Palacios just might pull off the upset again. Though giving up close to 6 inches in height to Flores, he recklessly bulled his way inside and would land some wild lefts and rights upstairs as Flores looked to move and box his opponent.
Early in the third round, it looked like Flores figured his guy out and soon after he nailed Palacious with a straight right hand which sent the Connecticut native to the canvas and unable to continue.
Junior Lightweights Michael Perez vs Tommy Garcia
Newark, NJ.......Hartford, Connecticut
1-0, 1ko........2-2, 1ko
Michael Perez, a former national amateur champion showed a very good blend of speed and power which earned him a 1st round TKO over the very durable Tommy Garcia. Garcia came out fighting strong but just couldn't catch Perez with anything. Perez picked spots and an early four punch combination sent Garcia to a knee midway through the round. Garcia got up and kept on trying but his corner saw enough and threw in the towel at the 2:40 mark of the opening frame.
Super Middleweight Division Dennis Hasson vs. Ariel Espinal
Philly............Brooklyn, NY
4-0, 2kos.........6-5-2, 2ko's
Kenzington's Dennis "The Assassin" Hasson is a super middleweight that many in the area have high hopes for. He turned pro earlier this year after a very successful run as an amateur and many have been impressed by his continued growth at this level. Now making the jump to the 6 round level, some feel this will work to his advantage as he is more of a methodical fighter rather than a quick starter with one punch knockout power.
Ariel Espinal has been a busy fighter lately, taking on quite a few undefeated prospects and lasting the distance in losing efforts. His most recent outing was a 6 round decision loss against Philly bomber Farah Ennis, so you know he has a chin.
In this fight, Hasson was once again impressive. Both fighter traded some solid shots in the early going but after 3 rounds Hasson was in complete control. Hasson moved around, picked spots, fought well on the inside when he had to and late in the fight began to land some hard combinations up top. Espinal was behind on the cards but never quit. He took some flush shots and tried to win until the very end though to no avail.
The fight went to the scorecards which all read 60 - 54 for Dennis Hasson who improves to 5 - 0 which makes him eligible for Philly top 10 list consideration.
If anyone has pictures of the Hasson - Espinal fight, please send them to keith@phillykeith.com Heavyweight DivisionFaruq Saleem vs Willie Perryman
Newark, NJ......Clarksdale, MS
37-0, 32KO'S.....10-16, 7ko's
Faruq Salem, the most anonymous 38 - 0 fighter in the history of the game, won a 6 round unanimous decision over Willie Perryman in a fight that did have some good spots of two way action. Both men threw some lumber in the early going but gassed out a bit down the stretch. A Saleem right sent Perryman to the canvas in round 5 but Big Willie got up and made a fight of it until the final bell.
Now at 38-0, it is time for Saleem to take on a significant fight. If he is in shape, he just might be capable of winning too.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at
keith@phillykeith.comGo to
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Labels: Anthony Flores, Dennis Hasson, Faruq Saleem, Michael Perez, NABF title fight, Peltz Boxing, Raul Martinez, Teon Kennedy, The New Alhambra, Victor Proa, Victor Vasquez
