Author: Daxx Khan
Peltz Boxing- JENNINGS Vs. DAWEJKO MATCH-UP APRIL 28 RECALLS MEMORIES OF ALL-PHILLY FIGHTS
Philadelphia, PA: When heavyweights Bryant “By By” Jennings and Joey “The Tank” Dawejko square off in their 10-round heavyweight bout Saturday, April 28, it will revive memories of the some of the great all-Philly match-ups that helped to make the Quaker City one of the leading boxing centers in the country.
The Jennings-Dawejko match is one of three bouts at the Liacouras Center at Temple University to be televised live by ESPN, beginning at 7 pm EST. The card is being promoted by Top Rank and Peltz Boxing. Topping the show is a 12-round contest for the WBO junior featherweight title between defending champion Jessie Magdaleno, of Las Vegas, NV, and mandatory challenger Isaac Dogboe, of Accra, Ghana. The 10-round semifinal features Jesse Hart, of Philadelphia, against Demond Nicholson, of Laurel, MD, for the vacant NABF super middleweight championship.
First live fight begins at 4 pm EST and all undercard bouts will be streamed on the ESPN App. Always a leading center for boxing, Philadelphia built its reputation by matching fighters from different neighborhoods in front of large, enthusiastic crowds. Artist Jim Meehan’s drawing (above) lists several of those great matchups, among them the classic 1928 showdown at Shibe Park between Hall-of-Fame junior lightweight champion Benny Bass and unbeaten crosstown rival Harry Blitman in front of 24,000 raucous fans.
“My dad went to that fight with his dad,” promoter J Russell Peltz said, “and he’d always tell me about it. My dad went to school with Harry Blitman and he never got over the fact that Blitman smoked cigarettes and still was successful as a fighter. My dad sat on the second row and he used to tell me about the sweat that flew off Blitman’s hair every time Bass nailed him.”
Bass, who boxed from 1919 to 1940, won by knockout in six rounds and went on to a career record of 158-29-6 with 72 K0s. Blitman, who boxed from 1926 to 1934, finished at 53-11-4, 25 K0s, including a victory over Hall-of-Fame lightweight champ Tony Canzoneri.
“There were so many great all-Philly fights that you simply cannot list them all,” Peltz said. “The heavyweight bout between a couple of Joe Louis victims, Al Ettore, of West Philadelphia, against Gus Dorazio, of South Philly, belongs on that list, as well as the world lightweight title fight between Hall-of-Famer Bob Montgomery and Wesley Mouzon, who had knocked Montgomery out three months earlier in a non-title fight.”
Peltz, who began promoting in 1969, rates the first meeting between middleweights Bennie Briscoe and Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, a 10-round draw late in 1975 at The Spectrum, as one of the greatest action fights in Philly’s long and storied boxing history.
“Now we’ve got Jesse Hart, Cyclone’s son, on the card,” Peltz said. “I believe Jennings vs. Dawejko is the biggest all-Philly matchup in 36 years. That goes back to 1982 when Jeff Chandler successfully defended his WBA bantamweight title by knocking out former high school classman Johnny Carter in six rounds at the Civic Center. We’ve had some good ones since then, but none as big as Chandler vs. Carter.
“A lot of 21st century boxing ‘experts’ don’t like to see all-Philly fights. They wonder why we would want to knock off a local attraction. I guess they’d rather me import some scrub from the South or the Midwest to get his brains beat out. They’d rather watch that than a competitive all-local fight. The most recent major local showdown was in 2010 when junior middleweightDerek Ennis beat Gabriel Rosado at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. Guess who got knocked off in that one?
The winner, Ennis, who soon faded from the scene. The loser that night, Rosado, went on to climb the ladder and make a lot on money and he’s still going strong. “Jennings vs. Dawejko is my kind of fight. I guarantee there will be more action in one round than there was in 12 rounds of the recent heavyweight unification match between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker.”
HEATHER “THE HEAT” HARDY RETURNS TO BARCLAYS CENTER SATURDAY, APRIL 21
Brooklyn, NY (April 2, 2018) Brooklyn’s Heather “The Heat” Hardy (20-0, 4 KOs) returns to Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING, on Saturday, April 21, for the ninth time in a highly anticipated eight-round featherweight clash with former world title challenger Paola “La Fiera” Torres (12-2-1, 5 KOs), of Monterrey, Mexico.
The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by four-division champion Adrien Broner battling former welterweight world champion Jessie Vargas in a 12-round bout live on SHOWTIME. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features undefeated former world champion Jermall Charlo clashing with once-beaten Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim 160-pound world title and former champions Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Jesus Cuellar as they square off for the WBA 130-pound Super World Championship.
“I was born and raised in Brooklyn and remember riding the train while Barclays Center was being built hoping that I could one day fight there. It’s a cliché, but it’s really been a dream come true, and I’m thrilled to be back on April 21,” said Hardy. “Barclays Center now feels like home; the backstage area feels like my mom’s house and the ring is like my living room. I can’t wait to get back in the ring on such a great night of boxing. I know Torres is tough and coming to win, but she has two hands, just like me, and I’ll be prepared for both of them.”
“Highlighting the off-TV undercard of a terrific SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader on April 21 will be Brooklyn’s Heather ‘The Heat’ Hardy in her anticipated return to boxing, facing former world title challenger Paola Torres,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “In boxing, Hardy is a two-time WBC International champion and, after taking some time off to compete in the cage, she is ready to bring the heat back to the ring, starting with an emphatic victory in front of her hometown fans at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.”
The popular Hardy returns to the squared circle following two outstanding performances in 2017, earning consecutive eight-round unanimous decisions against Hungary’s Edina Kiss, on March 4 and May 18.
Hardy is best known for smashing the ceiling on women’s boxing in the United States with her victory versus Shelly Vincent on August 21, 2016, telecast to millions on network TV.
Recently competing in mixed martial arts, on February 16, 2018 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, Hardy defeated Ana Julaton in the cage. Hardy dominated the action over three five-minute rounds in the nationally televised bout and was victorious by unanimous scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28.
A professional for five years, Torres challenged Brooklyn’s Cindy Serrano on May 13, 2017 for the WBO Featherweight World Title in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. Fighting in a close, hotly contested fight over 10 rounds, Torres came up short to the more experienced Serrano by a close unanimous decision.
Torres has won two fights by stoppage since the defeat including a TKO against Karla Hernandez in the third round on March 1, in Monterrey, Mexico.
Undefeated featherweight prospect Irvin Gonzalez added to “Fight Night at The Zone”
QUINCY, Mass. (April 2, 2018) — This Saturday night’s “Fight Night at The Zone”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, has been strengthened by the late addition of hot prospect Irvin Gonzalez to a card already showcasing some of the best young, professional boxers in New England.
Granite Chin Promotions is on a mission to establish a fan-base in the Granite State, providing a fan friendly, full entertainment experience at The Sports Zone in Derry, New Hampshire.
Gonzalez (8-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Worcester, MA, was a 2015 New England Golden Gloves champion, who qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials. The 21-year-old featherweight prospect will face Mexican Francisco “El Mono” Medal (12-12, 8 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Gonzalez, who hasn’t fought since December 1 1 (sensational third-round knockout of previously undefeated 13-0 Marlon Olea in Providence), was supposed to fight St. Patrick’s Day in Boston, but he was informed the day of the weigh in that his opponent hadn’t cleared medicals.
I’m always in the gym working hard because I like to stay busy and be ready,” Gonzalez said. “No layoffs for me. I’ve been sparring 3-4 times a week to polish my craft. I’m always prepared. I was disappointed a few weeks ago, but I’m fighting on this card, and back on the right track.
“I only focus on my next fight, April 7th, against a tough, experienced opponent. He’s a veteran boxer from Mexico. After this Saturday night, I’ll concentrate on my next fight, May 5th at Foxwoods.”
The addition of Gonzalez with a card featuring some of tomorrow’s stars such as Hartford, CT light heavyweight champion Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (6-0, 5 KOs) means two of the top three prospects in New England will be in action this Saturday in Derry. And several other promising boxers will also be in action. Rivera faces Randy “The Rattler” Campbell, of Ohio, in the six-round co-featured event.
“We are happy to have Irvin on our show,” co-promoter Chuck Shearns said. “His last fight fell out and we are always happy to help local fighters, especially someone of Irvin’s caliber. We have five undefeated fighters on this show. They’re legitimate prospects with a lot of upside. Irvin, Richie and Omar are starting to get national attention and New Hampshire fans are getting an early look at them. The veteran fighters on this show have a lot to fight for as well. ”
Dorchester, MA lightweight Gabriel Duluc (11-3, 2 KOs) headlines in the eight-round main event against Dallas veteran Larry “Slomoshun” Smith.
Iraq War veteran Chris Traietti (25-4, 20 KOs), fighting out of Quincy, MA, meets Indiana veteran “Jammin'” James Morrow in an eight-round, non-title fight. Traietti, whose title will not be on the line, is also the co-promoter of “Fight Night at The Zone.”
Another top Conn. prospect, Danbury junior welterweight Omar Bordoy (4-0, 1 KO), takes on Carlos Galindo, of Woburn (MA), in a four-round match. Other four-rounders on the undercard include Peabody, MA light heavyweight Russell Kimber (1-0) vs. Dustin Caplinger; Irish welterweight Paddy McGee, now fighting out of Dorchester (MA), makes his pro debut vs. Philadelphia’s Bardraiel Smith; Springfield, MA welterweight Anthony Velezquez (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Philadelphia’s Shavante Dixon, and Claremont, NH junior middleweight Rickey Ford (1-1-1) vs. Philadelphia’s Demetrius Thomas.
Also fighting on the undercard in six-round bouts are Stoughton, MA welterweight Travis Demko (5-1, 1 KO) vs. Paul DeSouza, and New Jersey middleweight Chris “Sandman” Thomas (7-0-1, 4 KOs) vs. Lynn, MA middleweight John Hantzopoulas.
Son/father Bob & Murray Goodman to be inducted into Class of 2018 New York State Boxing Hall of Fame
NEW YORK (March 26, 2018) – Boxing lifers Bob Goodman and his father, the late Murray Goodman, are among 23 members of the Class of 2018 being inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) on Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 29.
The seventh annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held once again at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
A legendary boxing publicist, Murray Goodman (Bronx) brought his son into the sweet science when Bob was only eight years old. The rest was historic for the Goodmans, who are both inductees in several Halls of Fame, including the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“This is a great honor for me and my father,” Bob said. “I wish he were alive today to be there. I’m a boxing lifer. I was eight years old going to all the training camps with my father, who was a boxing writer and sports editor for the INS (Hearst News Service) service. The joke is I was conceived at Grossinger’s (Catskill Resort Hotel training camp). Boxing just came into my life. My dad and I had some businesses in promotions and public relations, all different kinds of sports-related businesses, but there was always boxing.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I was brought up doing the very things I loved. How many people can say that? I met and became friends with Joe Louis, Marcel Cerdan, Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Marciano and so many others. I’d stay in camps for weeks. I’d get up to run with the boxers and got a chance to be around my heroes. I also got to know trainers and others in boxing and later fans. I got to know everybody. I was brought up in boxing, my whole life was boxing, 65 years in the business.”
Bob is, perhaps, best known as Vice President and Matchmaker for Madison Square Garden (1985-1994), as well as a quarter-century serving as Vice President of Boxing Operations, Matchmaker and Director of Public Relations for Don King Productions. He also promoted many world champions as President of his own company, Garden State Boxing.
“I remember going away to training camps for weeks at a time,” the 78-year-old Goodman fondly remembered. “I’d take pictures, write stories every day and use my telecopier to send them to AP and UPI. I did so much being brought up un the business, even loading trucks up with chairs, the ring, speakers and more. My father was the Publicity Director for the International Boxing Club at Madison Square Garden. I worked there when I was a teenager.
“I’m honored to be inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame with my father and so many boxing guys. They’re different from people in any other sports. One of the awards I’ve won that I’m most proud of is the James J. Walker Memorial Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Boxing (BWAA in 1960).
“I’m fortunate to have transcended various eras in boding. It was a different world back then, we had 20-30 writers stay for weeks at training camps. I got to know old-time boxers and trainers.”
Undefeated #1 Ranked Middleweight Contender Demetrius Andrade Ready to Step in to Fight Gennady Golovkin on May 5th
“I am ready, willing, and able to step to the plate on May 5th to fight Golovkin,” stated Andrade. “I am always in the gym, and I will start VADA testing right now. I guarantee that I will pass all the tests. I know other fighters can’t say the same thing. I am undefeated, and a two-time world champion. Golovkin went through a period where nobody wanted to fight him. I am that guy now. The man nobody wants to fight. Everyone says, what does Demetrius Andrade bring to the table? Besides being the best American middleweight, and one of the top 3 middleweights in the world, everyone knows who I am, and they know how good I am. My question is to those who say that I don’t bring anything to the table. What did Murray, Adama, Geale, Monroe, and Rosado bring to the table? None of the top contenders want to fight me so I believe that if Canelo is unavailable for May 5th, I want the opportunity to face Golovkin for the unified middleweight championship of the world.”
Golovkin’s Promoter Tom Loeffler stated after Alvarez was temporarily suspended that his fighter will still compete on May 5th with or without Alvarez.
“Whatever the commission does, Gennady would still fight May 5th if Canelo is out,” he said. “If for some reason it’s not against Canelo, we’ll figure out the best course of action at that time, but he is training to fight May 5th.”, Loeffler told Dan Rafael of ESPN.com
Like Golovkin, Andrade is also in the gym, and will be ready should he get the call for May 5th.
Gaballo Captures First World Championship in “Rumble at the Rock”
Women’s Elena Gradinar vs. Olivia Gerula Title Fight to be Streamed Live for Free on YouTube This Saturday at Noon!
“I am delighted that boxing fans around the world will get a chance to see this high-quality match-up, featuring two top-rated ladies for the prestigious IBF Intercontinental title,” he said. “We are constantly working on platforms to bring attention and visibility to the talented female boxers around the world. I am grateful that we have a great promotional partner in Alexander Nevsky Promotion Group, who share the same vision to keeping finding new and exciting ways to bring high-quality boxing content to fans.”
Garcia and Kiryl Relikh claim their Position’s in the 140 lb Division with Dominate wins
Saturday night at the Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas an edition of Showtime Championship boxing aired with a Junior Welterweight world title double header. The main event would be IBF 140 lb champion Sergey Lipinets making the first defense of his title against three division world champion Mikey Garcia co-featured by former multi division world champion Rances Barthelemy against Kiryl Relikh meeting for the vacant WBA 140 lb championship. If those bouts were not enough to please fans, Showtime extreme broadcast three exciting undercard bouts at bantamweight, lightweight and Super Lightweight divisions.
The main event between Sergey Lipinets and Mikey Garcia was a quality bout from start to finish. It opened with both fighters feeling each other out Garcia was slightly more active while Lipinets visibly the more physically strong fighter. It would be the volume of Garcia versus the come forward style of Lipinets all night, Garcia appeared as though he was doing more damage because of his work-rate while Lipinets who was more reserved with his punches forced Garcia to fight while moving backwards.
At the midway point, Garcia would deal with a bloodied nose while Lipinets face started swelling due to the volume of punches landed by Garcia.In the seventh Lipinets missed an overhand right then was dropped for the first time in his career from a Garcia left hook counter. While not hurt Lipinets would get up and pressure Garcia keeping the round outside the knockdown close. The remainder of the fight was a “Give and Take” experience as both men had equal success and they closed round twelve fighting like each man needed the round to walk away champion. When official scores were read Judges Mark Caloy and Julie Lederman scored it 117-110 while Nelson Vazquez 116-111 all in favor of Mikey Garcia who is now a four division world champion. My personal scorecard was 115-113 for Garcia and the lower work rate of Lipinets was a major factor along with the knockdown. Should Lipinets had been a more active fighter in my opinion the night would have belonged to him but its not his style of fighting.
With the win Mikey Garcia improved to 38-0 (30) while Sergey Lipinets suffering only his first defeat now stands at 13-1 (10). I think Lipinets has a future as a 140 lb fighter with some adjustments to his style he is capable of claiming another world title. This division despite wins over Adrien Boner and now Sergey Lipinets is too big for Garcia who despite his boxing ability lacks power for the more active top names at 140 lbs.
The nights co-feature between Kiryl Relikh and Rances Barthelemy, while it promised to be an exciting affair based off both men’s styles and their first meeting won by Barthelemy in a disputed split decision ended up a one sided affair. It opened with Barthelemy attempting to box while using the jab and keep Relikh at a distance. The fighter from Belarus who has been victim of questionable scoring against both Barthelemy and Ricky Burns in consecutive bouts had other ideas.
A steady work rate of over 100 punches per round along with responsible pressure from Relikh kept Barthelemy on his back-foot all night. There was little offense from Barthelemy and what offense there was he connected a small percentage of those punches, the most success from Barthelemy came with low-blows which cost him an extra point in round seven.
This was a dominate performance from Kiryl Relikh who used his work-rate and combinations punching to shut Rances Barthelemy down in a non-competitive affair When official scores were read Judges Alfredo Polanco and Cesar Ramos had it 118-109 while Rafael Ramos 117-110 all in favor of Kiryl Relikh who along with the WBA 140 lb world title improved to 22-2 (19). The former two division world champion Rances Barthelemy after his first loss now stands at 26-1 (13).
Opening the night on Showtime Extreme was an IBF Lightweight elimination bout between former world title challenger Richard Commey and undefeated Alejandro Luna. In the opening rounds, Commey working with new trainer Andre Rozier looked sharp as he boxed behind the jab followed by crisp combinations. At the start of round four Luna, with his face showing signs of the Commey jab had some successful moments when he pinned Commey to the ropes and let loose combinations. A pep talk from from Andre Rozier at the end of round five that reminded Commey laying against the ropes cost him split decision losses against both Robert Easter Jr and Denis Shafikov encouraged Commey to start round six strong in rings center.
Once the fight was back in ring center, Commey shortly after dropped Luna for the first time in his career. He would get up take the mandatory eight count but be deducted an extra point by referee David Fields for spitting out his mouth piece. The bout would last only seconds more as another Richard Commey combination put Luna on his back halting the affair at 1:54 of round six. With the win Richard Commey now the mandatory challenger for Robert Easter Jr and his IBF lightweight title improved to 26-2 (23), after only his first defeat Alejandro Luna now stands at 22-1 (15).
Also on the Showtime Extreme broadcast, undefeated Super Lightweight prospect Mario Barrios needed just three minutes and thirty five seconds to boost his resume with a second round stoppage over veteran Eudy Bernardo. After a feel out first round, Barrios landed a sensational counter right hand that sent Bernardo crashing to the canvas ending the affair at 35 seconds of round two. While viewers didn’t get a long look at Barrios what little bit they did impressed and with his win Mario Barrios improved to 21-0 (13) while Eudy Bernardo now stands at 23-3 (17).
The final Showtime extreme broadcast bout was a one sided affair between undefeated Super Bantamweight prospect Brandon Figueroa and Giovanni Delgado. There was no lack of action and Giovanni Delgado certainly showed tremendous heart but tremendously over-matched he took a beating every minute of every round. It was the work rate of Figueroa along with combination punching that Giovanni Delgado had no answers for he also had no advice from his corner. It was the type of fight that could have been stopped after round four without dispute from anyone watching but referee Gregorio Alvarez refused to acknowledge the one sided beating. At the end of round six Delgado’s corner-man asked “What do you want to do you looked good lets give it another round” and this was after his corner threatened to halt the bout after round five.
A silent Delgado should have advised his corner to say “My Fighter has had enough” yet they allowed him to take more punishment until finally a commission member signaled to referee Gregorio Alvarez it was enough punishment for Delgado and the contest was waved off in the sixth. With the win Brandon Figueroa improved to 15-0 (10 ) while Giovanni Delgado now stands at 16-7 ( 9). My personal hope is Delgado a game young man finds a new team to work with for future contest.
In off air action-
Welterweight- Eimantas Stanionis 5-0 (4) def. Hector Munoz 25-20-1 (17) via TKO 4
Super Welterweight-Yulian Tembotov 6-0 (4) def. Noe Lozano 2-3 via UD 6.
Heavyweight- Efe Ajagba 4-0 (4) def. Antonio Johnson 6-3 (4) via KO 1.
Cruiserweight- Efetobor Apochi 3-0 (3) def. Darrius Flowers 2-6 (2) via TKO 2.
Super Flyweight- Robert Rodrigiez 1-0 def. Giovanni Noriega 1-2 (1) via UD 4.
Prograis and Baranchyk score Stoppage wins in Deadwood
Saturday from the Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood South Dakota, Showtime broadcast a Junior Welterweight double header featuring two undefeated prospects Regis Prograis and Ivan Baranchyk in separate bouts. They would be fighting seasoned veterans for an opportunity to earn a world title shot in their next contest, opening up the night on both the televised and UN-televised portion of the event were two undefeated heavyweights Tre Lippe Morrison and Junior Fa also in separate contest.
The nights main event between undefeated Regis Prograis and former unified champion Julius Indongo on paper was an intriguing match-up. While Prograis was undefeated and had wins over several fellow undefeated prospects in which he was the underdog going in he had never faced anyone the level of Indongo. The former champion whose only loss came last summer at the hands of pound for former undisputed Junior Welterweight King Terence Crawford via third round TKO has always been outside of that fight most successful on the road. It was as the visiting fighter Indongo won both his titles and against more experienced champions than Prograis. There was also an added bit of drama on the scales where Prograis needed more than one attempt to make weight placing that question mark over him “How conditioned is he”?
The bout opened with Indongo working off his jab, using movement and out-boxing Prograis who appeared to have no answers on how to approach Indongo other than straight forward. A jab landed midway though appeared to hurt Indongo after his legs buckled then near the round end another jab placed Indongo onto the canvas. While he won the round aside from the knockdown he appeared unsteady on his legs going to the corner.
It would be the same tempo in round two as Indongo jabbed Prograis used movement and easily out boxed him. There would be a jab landed by Prograis that put Indongo down for the second time, he beat the count fell to another jab shortly after then was stopped moments later when an overhand left caught him flush on the temple. With the win Prograis improved to 21-0 (18) and he now holds the WBC interim 140 lb title. This s the second loss in the career of Julius Indongo he now stands at 22-2 (11).
The evenings co-feature was an IBF 140 lb title eliminator between unbeaten Ivan Baranchyk and veteran Peter Petrov. It was an interesting bout on paper as Petrov who has faced the better competition was stepping up in weight and as a last minute replacement opponent. In the past Petrov had faced the better competition by far, his lone stoppage loss came at the hands of Marcos Maidana in 2011 when he challenged Maidana for the WBA 140 lb title. There is no question Maidana especially at his best was a murderous puncher, Baranchyk would be in for a long night if he could not find a way to neutralize the veteran early.
It would be seconds into the contest when Baranchyk sent Petrov to the canvas for the first time. Once up Petrov out boxed Baranchyk for the rounds remainder. He then found himself touching canvas again in the second round. Over the next several rounds Petrov out boxed Baranchyk at times but was continued to be placed on his back-foot by the pressure of Baranchyk.
There would be another knockdown in round six scored by Baranchyk a fairly even seventh then after nonstop pressure which eventually placed Petrov on the ropes in round eight referee Mark Nelson had seen enough and halted the affair. It was a solid Performance for the ever improving Ivan Baranchyk who improved to 18-0 (11) and is now in position to face the winner of Mikey Garcia and Sergey Lipinets when they meet for Lipinets IBF 140 lb title. The veteran Peter Petrov after this now stands at 38-6-2 (19) and will most likely drop back down to lightweight where he at his best.
Opening the nights televised portion were heavyweights Junior Fa and Craig Lewis. It was anything but exciting though both men landed their fair share of hard punches, midway though Lewis appeared ready to be on his way out more because of exhaustion than what Junior Fa had landed. In the fifth Lewis would gain a second wind and drive Fa backwards who himself seemed tired. There was a slightly higher work-rate by Fa who used his jab more to set up a few combinations that turned the fight in his favor.
The final three rounds six though eight became nothing more than “Home-run” attempts by both men who could hardly muster up enough strength to throw two punches at a time. It was unbeaten Junior Fa who landed at a slightly higher rate giving him the win via eighth round majority decision by scores of 76-76, 78-74 and 79-73, my unofficial score read 77-75 in favor of Fa. The New Zealand prospect improved to 14-0 (8) while Craig Lewis now stands at 14-2-1(8).
In Undercard bouts off air-
Heavyweight-Trey Lippe Morrison 14-0 (14) def. Oswaldo Ortega 3-8 (1) via TKO 6.
Super Lightweight- Charles Conwell 7-0 (5) def. Juan Jesus Rivera 28-20 (18) via UD 6
60-53 on all three Judges cards.
Lightweight- Matt Remillard 27-1 (15) def. Jesus A Valdez 22-4-1 (11) via TD 6.
Official scores read 80-72, 80-72 and 79-73.