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Boxing Blog & Random Thoughts |
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Spivey and Witherspoon Win: Ringside Fight Coverage from AC
Ringside
coverage and photos by Gary Purfield Dee Lee Promotions hosted the “Super Brawl” Saturday night from the Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City. The title “Super Brawl” was not an overstatement, as the main event pitted all action and Philadelphia fan favorite Victor Vasquez, against Virginia Beach’s veteran Dorin Spivey in a ten round bout for the NABA Lightweight title. Putting these two in ring together with Vasquez’s aggression and Spivey’s willingness to mix it up, this was as close as you get to guaranteed fan entertainment. The nine fight card had a large and rowdy crowd of more than four thousand looking to see the fighters deliver on the Super Brawl promise. Overall the fans got what they came for with an exciting main event, two highlight reel knockouts, and several other action packed fights.
The pattern continued throughout the fight. As rounds went by, Spivey became more and more offensive. For every punch Victor landed, Spivey landed three or four. Vasquez attempted to push forward and establish some momentum with some solid overhand rights and a few hard left hooks, but Spivey took the shots well and was always able to quickly regain control each time with a high punch output and high connect rate. In round three a right hand from Spivey opened a cut over Vasquez’s left eye. With blood flowing and Vasquez having to wipe it away, Spivey pushed harder. Vasquez being the warrior that has brought him such a large fan base hardly backed down. Round four turned into a brawl and began a furious pace that would continue for several rounds. By round seven Spivey had a commanding lead on the cards and continued to pepper his opponent with jabs and straight rights. Vasquez was leaning forward trying to avoid the veteran’s accurate punches but was still taking shots. The slick Spivey would take a step forward and land on Vasquez as he backed away. Then, abruptly in round seven referee Lindsay Page felt Vasquez had absorbed enough shots and jumped in stopping the fight. At the time Victor was pinned in the corner but still moving and punching. The official ending was a TKO at twenty five seconds of round seven. The stoppage felt premature from ringside. Vasquez was certainly losing the fight and taking some punishment but he was still punching back and had plenty of fight left. The crowd booed the stoppage with a passion and the only person more unhappy than those in attendance was the man who had been stopped. Vasquez 14-6-1 (7 KO) jumped forward and protested feeling he had been robbed of the chance for a come from behind win. The fighting machine inside of Vasquez that makes him so popular was clearly unhappy he believed he had plenty of fight left to continue and the ability to rally down the stretch. Spivey 41-6 (30 KO) takes home the NABA belt and a top fifteen ranking in the WBA. It was an impressive performance as the veteran was able to use his experience to gain the upper hand on more aggressive but younger opponent. He talked afterwards about how tough an opponent Vasquez proved to be, stating he knows anytime you fight someone from Philadelphia they are going to be a tough out. Spivey stated he it was his ability to get stronger as the fight goes on and his conditioning that allowed him to wear down his opponent and force the stoppage. Undercard Report In the ten round heavyweight co-feature “The Gentleman” Chazz Witherspoon squared off with late replacement David Saulsberry of Greenville, KY, who filled in for Evans Quinn when he dropped out this week. Witherspoon, a Philadelphia native and graduate of Saint Joseph’s University was looking to continue building his way back up after losing to Chris Arreola in 2008 and to Tony Thompson in 2009. Since the Thompson fight Witherspoon has won three in a row.
Then Witherspoon changed things in dramatic fashion in round two. Backing his opponent to the ropes Witherspoon slipped under his opponents right hand to land a monster overhand right of his own that landed perfectly flush on Saulsberry’s chin. Saulsberry 7-5 (7 KO) crumbled to the canvas and was counted out at thirty two seconds of round two. The count was hardly necessary as it was clear that he was not going to get up if he has been given a minute instead of ten seconds. The large crowd on hand at the Trop, many of them there for Witherspoon erupted in the moment. Witherspoon 30-2 (22 KO) was pleased with his performance after being patient against the bigger man in round one. “I wanted to feel him, the guy was really strong. He had me by sixty pounds and I don’t want to run out there and start trading blows with someone who has sixty pounds on me. That’s what he wants me to do. I had really good conditioning so I wanted to let that show itself. Anybody off the street can just run out and throw punches. I just wanted to let that first round go by, settle down. I saw I could set him up for that shot, I was about to throw it in the first round but I figured I’d wait and throw it in the second round. I wanted him to think I was running from him actually and he ran right into it.” Now Witherspoon is looking to chase bigger game and get himself back to the top. “I’m trying to stay as busy as possible. I want to fight better quality opponents so I can better and get ready to move into the top ten. We had a guy Evans Quinn who I was supposed to fight but the fight fell out. He was a better fighter, more skilled and everything like that. We are just looking to do what we can and stay as busy as possible.”
Undefeated prospect Dennis Hasson made a long awaited return to the ring after seventeen months out of action with management issues. Hasson normally fights at Super Middleweight but after the layoff eased back down in weight fighting tonight at 192lbs against William Santiago out of Trenton, NJ, by way of Puerto Rico. Hasson, who fights out of Wilmington, DE, looked rusty in the first round as he was pursued by the naturally bigger Santiago who was able to catch Hasson with a few solid shots to take the first round. Then in round two Hasson settled back in, started boxing his fight, and quickly got results. Hasson landed a hard right to the body dropping his opponent’s gloves and then a perfect right to the head that stunned Santiago. From that point it was all Hasson. He landed good right hands and left hooks and it appeared the fight was close to being stopped when the bell rang.
Hasson wasted no time going after his wounded foe in round three. More rights and left hooks were landed to the dazed Santiago who stumbled around the ring. Hasson pinned him to the corner and after several more shots referee Allen Huggins had seen enough calling a halt at 1:31 of round three. Hasson stays unbeaten at 12-0 (4 KO) and was able to shake off the rust from his extended stay out of action while Santiago falls to 6-8-1 (2 KO). “He was going on his heels because I was double jabbing him so that when I knew I could start opening up with the big right hands. I didn’t want to throw nothing crazy in the first round and get caught. And I tried it and I did, I got caught. He started throwing big wild shots at me and I was just trying to weather the storm. Double jab and relaxing just broke him down.” Frankie Filipone 9-2 (2 KO) of Norfolk, VA won a unanimous decision over Harley Kilfian 9-9 (8 KO) of Menomonie, WI in a six round light heavyweight bout. Not much else to say as not much happened in this one. Joey Tiberi, who always brings a large cheering section from his home in Newark, DE, sent his fans home happy with a unanimous decision win in a four round lightweight bout. Tiberi 7-1 (5 KO) won by scores of 40-36 on all three cards to knock off Steve Cox 2-4 (1 KO) who came down to AC from Wisconsin. Tiberi landed some big shots in the first two rounds including some heavy body shots. Tiberi had Cox hurt in round two but was unable to finish the job. Tiberi seemed winded from his efforts in the final two rounds but still did enough to sweep them on the cards. Jon Bolden of Brooklyn, NY and Dorsett Barnwell engaged in a slow paced heavyweight bout over four rounds. Bolden was content to jab and move while Barnwell followed his opponent trying to land one big right that never came. Barnwell was awarded the unanimous decision by sores of 39-37 on all three cards. Most on press row had it a draw 38-3.8 including this writer. Isaiah Seldon, son of former Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon scored a devastating second round knockout at 1:41 of round two over Kenneth Moody Jr. 2-3 (1 KO). The Atlantic City middleweight Seldon won the first round and then landed a bomb of a right hand knocking his opponent to the canvas. The fight was waived off by referee Allen Huggins without a count as Moody was clearly out and done. Seldon 6-0 (3 KO) was joined by his father the former champ who was in attendance. In the opening bout of the evening Keenan “Killer Keenan” Smith of Philadelphia remained undefeated with a majority decision win over Chris Finley of Detroit, MI. Lightweights Smith 5-0 (1 KO) and Finley 3-4 (3 KO) put on an action packed start to the night but Smith’s skills were simply too much as the southpaw repeatedly landed the straight left to stagger his opponent. Smith also showed an ability to fight through adversity when he was cut badly underneath the right eye in the fourth and final round. It was ruled from a punch but appeared to be from a head-butt. Smith won by scores of 39-37, 38-38, 39-37. For more pictures from the action in AC visit the following link:
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Victor Vasquez Brings his Show to AC
Story and Photos by Gary Purfield (02/02/12) Gym Visit: Rivera Rec Center North Philadelphia with Victor Vasquez and trainer Billy Briscoe
So when he began training the crowd pleasing pressure fighter Victor Vasquez last year, Briscoe didn’t try and make him something he is not. He took the aggressive pressure fighter and began looking to make improvements that would make Victor better at doing what he likes to do. And what Victor likes to do is put on a fight the fans will love, by attacking his opponent with relentless aggression. Briscoe knew that he would not have to search for Victor’s “ring identity” but simply improve what was there. “He was hard wired with ring identity. You see the thing with that is like you know, some guys you go to their gym and they say, I’m a change your style. No man, the old timers always told you, use what you got. The guy comes in here, he is what he is. Like Cus D’Amato said, people that are born round don’t die square. He comes in here and wants to be a pressure fighter, okay we work with that. But how can we be a more effective pressure fighter. There’s a dumb pressure fighter and a smart pressure fighter. Some pressure fighters walk through and take three to get one. Smart pressure fighters jab their way in, slip their way in, use the angles. Jab their way in, cut their way in, cut the ring, use the angles. I’m trying to get him to be a more smart fighter.” Victor Vasquez got a late start in the boxing game. The North Philly lightweight boxed in his teens but didn’t really get serious until later when he turned pro in his mid-twenties. Without the benefit of an amateur background it has been on the job learning in the pro-ranks for Vasquez. He lost his undefeated mark in his third pro fight. He won his next five but then was stopped by Ryan Belasco in a matchup of young fighters. Since then he has gone 7-3-1 always fighting in the local Philadelphia area with several bouts at the now closed famous Blue Horizon. Along the way, through his ups and downs Vasquez improved his skills and ring IQ. But along the way, win or lose, one thing was consistent with Vasquez. His fights pleased the fans in attendance. It became a regular quote amongst local boxing writers when they were asked about Victor, “he is never in a bad fight”. It really didn’t matter if he won or lost. His style of aggressively coming forward to force his opponent into a back and forth fight that usually turned into a brawl would have the crowds cheering and walking away knowing they wanted to see Vasquez fight again. Local promoters and managers began realizing if you want to sell tickets in the Philly fight scene, get Victor Vasquez on the card. “I think people want to see people fight, not run. So you choosing this sport to get in there and fight. Not to pop shot and just run. So, I guess that’s what they like.” Once the Blue Horizon was no longer the spot for Philly Boxing he went on at several shows at the Arena in South Philly continuing to draw a crowd. Then local promoters Joey Eye Boxing, who Vasquez recently signed with, began having Victor headlining at the new Harrah’s casino in Chester right outside of Philly and he packed the fans into the ballroom. “Ya, I love the support. Whether you don’t like me, or you do, sooner or later you’re gonna end up liking me because your there.” But after a loss to Osnel Charles three fights back, a fight which Vasquez feels he did not lose, he began working with Briscoe. Slowly but surely he has added wrinkles improving his offense and especially his defense while maintaining his all action style. Suddenly Vasquez was becoming simply more than just an exciting local pressure fighter. He was becoming a talented and tough boxer that could effectively brawl to get the win and please the crowd. Vasquez spoke about the improvements since joining with Billy Briscoe. “My head movement, I move my head a lot better. My angles have got a lot better. I’m better conditioned than I ever was. Like Billy tells me, each fight get more and more in shape. I think I’m in shape. Well I know I’m in shape. The consistency, constantly punching, moving, moving.” And trainer concurs with the fighter’s improvements.
In his first fight with Briscoe Vasquez disposed of local fighter Gustavo Dailey with a brutally effective fourth round knockout. It was his usual entertainment mixed, with a systematic approach that broke down his opponent with body shots that eventually worked their way upstairs for an impressive one punch knockout that had Dailey reeling all over the ring. In his next fight he took on former highly touted prospect Angel Rios from New York who was 9-5 at the time. Vasquez took the early rounds with Briscoe’s style of smart pressure fighting and then kept pace while weathering a late storm from the rugged Rios to take home a majority decision victory. This weekend Vasquez finds himself taking on his toughest test yet in tough veteran Dorin Spivey 40-6 (29 KO). Vasquez is used to headlining the card as he will do again this weekend, but will be fighting for the first time in Atlantic City at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. He will also be fighting in his first ten rounder and for his first minor belt, the vacant NABA lightweight title. “First ten round fight. I feel excited. I feel in shape. I feel like I got ready for this fight. I feel good. First time in Atlantic City. It’s exciting, different stage, different atmosphere, new crowd.” Vasquez is certainly looking forward to the chance to bring home his first piece of hardware. “I’m excited; I’m more excited and anxious for this fight than nervous. Every time you have butterflies but being in that type of position in the tough road I had, I’m excited and I can’t wait.” Vasquez knows he is in for a tough challenge against the battle tested Spivey and will need to employ all the lessons he has learned in the ring, what he has learned under Briscoe’s watchful eye, and be ready to adapt to a fighter that can attack or counterpunch. “Billy teaches me to adapt to any style. You go in there and whatever the fight calls for that’s just what it is. We adjust as we go. I lacked the experience in amateurs and I’m learning fight by fight.” “I don’t know much (about Spivey). I seen him last fight in November. He’s a vet, a veteran, I respect him, but when we get in there it’s a whole different level. Respect him outside the ring, inside the ring let the best man win.” “Ya, ya, I have to be careful, he’s a veteran. I go in there like I’m fighting a lion every fight. I don’t take anybody lightly. You can’t in this game because one punch can make you or break you, change your whole life. So I’m going in there very cautious, very careful and ready to go.”
But you get the feeling that no matter how successful Vasquez is he will not forget his roots. He proudly resides and trains in his childhood neighborhood of North Philadelphia. He continues to work as a barber, which is how he earned his nickname “The Brawling Barber”, cutting hair at Consider It Done in the neighborhood. Vasquez also three kids, a ten year old daughter, a five year old son, and a six month old boy. Vasquez lights up talking about his kids and informed us that we visited on his twenty-ninth birthday which he plans on celebrating this weekend with another exciting win. So once again he will headline what should be another intense and entertaining fight. Once again he will enter the ring looking to put on a great show for the fans, but is also well aware of the implications of a victory and has plenty of goals for his future. “I just can’t wait till the fourth, gonna be an exciting night. They called me up, said get ready for the fight, that’s how I do it.” “One fight at a time of course. My goals this year, end up with as many titles as I can. Win the belts. Like Billy likes to say, add to the trophy case.” Notes
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Vasquez-Spivey and Witherspoon-Quinn Headline in AC
By Gary
Purfield (01/31/12) This Saturday from the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City Dee Lee Promotions looks to put on a night of action fights with a card titled “Superbrawl 1”. The event features several fighters local to the Philadelphia and New Jersey area with nine total bouts, several of which look to be can’t miss action fights. Headlining the card is a ten round lightweight bout between Victor Vasquez 14-5-1 (7 KO) and Dorin Spivey 40-6 (29 KO) for the vacant NABA title. The Philadelphia native Vasquez has built a large following in the area due to his always delivering non-stop action in every fight. Ask any boxing writer who has covered Vasquez and they will tell you he has never been in a bad fight. This comes from his pension for being a relentless pressure fighter who works the body, throws tons of punches, and has a clear love for getting into a fight. Vasquez will face probably the toughest challenge of his young career in the veteran Spivey. Vasquez overcame a difficult fight in his last outing with a decision victory over former prospect Angel Rios, 9-5 at the time in a tough action packed bout, but he will be facing a far more experienced foe this time out. Spivey, from Portsmouth, VA has forty six professional fights under his belt and has taken on solid opposition. In addition he will likely be the bigger man as he has fought as high as 147lbs. His most notable loss is to welterweight contender Antonin Decarie in 2009 by unanimous decision and he has only been stopped once, back in 2000 to Juan Lazcano. Spivey was the first to defeat former Contender show participant Michael Stewart and defeated the previously mentioned Angel Rios. The limited film on Spivey shows he is a solid counterpuncher who can fight going backwards and is willing to mix it up when his opponent attacks. This should blend well with Vasquez’s pressure style to make for an action fight for however long it lasts.
Witherspoon’s two losses came to top competition. He lost to Chris Arreloa in 2008 by third round DQ after he was floored and his corner entered the ring before the end of the round. He was also stopped by Tony Thompson by ninth round TKO in 2009. Witherspoon has won three in a row since the loss to Thomson including in his last outing, when he stopped Ty Cobb in the third round. Quinn is an experienced veteran but has been beaten in his biggest fights. He was stopped by Sergei Liakhovich in 2010 by ninth round knockout and in his last fight was stopped by rising contender Seth Mitchell in the first round in May of 2011. Still, Quinn should provide a decent test for Witherspoon and give everyone an idea what Witherspoon has in the tank at this point in his career. Also appearing on the card is Delaware native and popular local fighter Joey Tiberi 6-1 (5 KO) who takes on takes on Steve Cox 2-3 (1 KO) in a six round lightweight bout. The card is rounded out with another six rounder and five four round bouts. Notes
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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 Dhafir Smith: Home, Headlining, and Winning on the Cards by Gary Purfield Shulers Gym Promotions hosted a five fight card with two additional exhibition bouts from First District Plaza in West Philadelphia Saturday night. The card featured several fighters who train out of Shulers Gym as owner Percy “Buster” Custus looks to get experience and exposure for his young fighters. Several bouts were dropped in the last week for various reasons but the show must go on. Despite the shuffling of bouts it turned out to be a decent card with plenty of action. Headlining the night was Shulers Gym resident Dhafir Smith who found himself on unfamiliar ground. Smith is known for going to other people’s hometowns on short notice to fight marquee names, where he has little chance of getting a decision no matter what he does inside the ring. Tonight Dhafir was at home and he was the featured attraction against an underdog brought in from out of town.
Smith, who is known as a slow starter, had to get the feel of things early and took some time to really get into the fight. The first two rounds were close and could have gone either way. Round three Smith seemed to start finding a home for his jab and began getting the hometown crowd into the fight. Round four saw the action heat up as Rankin looked to jump all over Smith early in the round. He pushed Dhafir into the corner several times taking him off his long range game plan and making it a rough, close quartered contest. But halfway through the round Dhafir found his rhythm and started unloading some heavy shots from long range that were set up with the jab and effective use of the ring. Round five saw the rough action continue but with Dhafir fully in control. Mid-way through the round he landed several body shots and Rankin hit the canvas on what seemed to be mostly from a slip during the body attack. It appeared at first referee Eddie Cotton was calling a knockdown but then it was ruled a slip. Round six was fought on even terms and could have again gone either way.
“I don’t like southpaws. I did what I had to do and got the win”. Smith was not the only one unhappy. Despite clearly not doing enough to win rounds, Rankin 4-2 (3 KO) felt he should have gotten the nod and threw a tirade in the dressing room after the fight screaming and slamming tables. Smith is known for having to get into a rhythm and being a fighter that does his best work late in a longer fight. He is probably better suited to ten and twelve round fights opposed to a six rounder and certainly has no love for fighting lefties. “I’m a slow starter. I like going eights and tens. I really got a problem with southpaws, I don’t like fighting them. I can’t do good against them. I couldn’t get off like I wanted to. It’s a learning lesson.” “D minus, next fight will be better, I promise.” Smith though, was glad to be fighting at home in front of his fans and is confident that his next time out he will deliver a better performance. While he was not thrilled with his performance he had the opportunity to fight at home where he was the crowd favorite. It is something he has earned after years of fighting in hostile territory. “Yes, it was (good fighting at home). Next fight is going to be even better. Hopefully against Rayco Saunders for the State Title end of March.” Undercard Report Althea Saunders and Daverne Morrison showed girls can fight too as they went at it for rounds of spirited lightweight action. Morrison fought on even terms in the first but the strength and skill advantage of Saunders took over in round two. Saunders began pumping the jab with accuracy to control the ring and set up the overhand right which stunned Morrison late in the round. Rounds three and four were more of the same as Saunders landed heavy jabs, straight rights, and attacked the body when in close. Morrison was game to keep fighting hard but Saunders was just too much causing more and more damage as time went by. Saunders won going away on the cards by scores of 40-35 twice and 40-36, Saunders moves to 3-0-1 and Morrison drops to 2-12 (2 KO). Alex Barbosa of Philadelphia and Luis Rivera of Puerto Rico put on a good action fight over four rounds in the Super Bantamweight division. Barbosa 2-0 (1 KO) won by scores of 40-36 on all three scorecards but the fight was more competitive than the lopsided scores. Barbosa won every round scoring with his southpaw uppercut but the action was tight and Rivera 0-2 had his moments, especially with a short left hook over the top. But in the end, Temple University graduate Barbosa had the aggression and activity needed to win the rounds. Kareem McFarland 1-0 (1 KO) of Philadelphia made it a short night in his pro-debut with a first round stoppage of Joel Nieves of Allentown, PA. The welterweight bout was scheduled for four but the rounds were hardly needed. McFarland charged across the ring at the opening bell ready to rumble in his first pro fight. He began his assault and never let up landing several hard shots that stunned Nieves 0-3. With his man pinned in a corner, McFarland landed at will forcing referee Hurley McCall to jump in stopping the action at 1:01 of round one. Skender Halili of New York, NY put on an impressive performance stopping Tyrell Boggs in the opening bout of the evening. The first round of a scheduled four in Jr. Middleweight action was competitive with each man giving and getting but Halili clearly had the heavier hands and seemed to cause more damage. Those heavy hands made the difference in round two as Halili landed to the head and body hurting Philadelphia’s Boggs several times. Boggs 0-3 barely survived the onslaught and looked done as the bell sounded. Indeed he was as the towel was thrown in when he hit his stool. Halili 3-0 (3 KO) gets the win by TKO at the end of round two. Notes
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Anywhere, Anytime, Anyplace: Photos and story by Gary Purfield (01/26/12)
Super Middleweight Dhafir “No Fear” Smith 24-22-7 (4 KO) could travel the short distance from his daily training regimen at Shulers Gym in West Philly to University of Penn University, where the brilliant young Ivy League minds would be hard pressed to understand how a fighter can be far better than his record indicates. Anyone who has seen Smith fight and spar at Shulers quickly realizes he is much better than his record and to simply judge him on wins and losses is to really miss the story of a true throwback fighter. Smith got into boxing in what is a common story for those in the prize fighting business. Growing up in a tough neighborhood and having to defend themselves brings plenty of young men to boxing gyms. “My grandmom wanted me to learn how to fight. I lived in a rough neighborhood and was getting bullied. I went to James Shuler Gym and wanted to learn how to defend myself. But then, I started liking the sport and wanted to pursue it for longevity.” Turning pro at eighteen after about forty five amateur fights, reportedly going 35-10 but knowing he had a style suited better for the pro ranks, Smith began his journey. Smith began a process shared by many fighters without top management and the breaks that promising amateurs get when they turn pro. He took fights on short notice. He was willing to travel anywhere to fight bigger names in their hometowns where they would have all the advantages. It made him a tough fighter that had to learn in the ring and became a skilled technician, but it did little to give him the glossy record required in today’s boxing landscape. “Started 8-0, had a manager getting me fights, building me up, moving me along, but we just couldn’t get along so we parted ways. I did it the hard way, had to fight guys in their hometown. I beat some, lost some, really won some.” “All my draws was wins to me. I beat everybody in their hometown. You get a draw in somebody’s hometown you know what that means.” Trainer Percy “Buster” Custus commented on Dhafir’s fights early in his career. “They put him in a lot of bad fights for a kid his size, his age. So he took a lot of fights without thinking about it.” Talking with Smith, you feel he would not have it any other way. The Philly fighter has three daughters and a boy on the way. He works as a supervisor at the airport while taking care of his kids and managing to get in the training demands of being a professional fighter. He emulates the fighters of a different era that fought often, fought the best, and were not caught up with lopsided records. They simply wanted to show they could beat the best on any given day. “To be the man you got to beat the man. I beat some of them, I lost some of them. Like I said I got to be ready. Sometimes I’m not ready I take fights on short notice. My record shouldn’t be what it is but I’m not upset with it cause I’ve had big time fighters sign the contract and then say I don’t want fight this guy, he’s too tough. I know I can fight, I know what I can do. I just got to be ready, focused, and do my thing the night of the fight, just get the win.” “I feel as though I’m a throwback fighter from back in the day era. Fighting every week or every other week or every month. I like to stay busy, I don’t like to be off and be rusty. I’m a throwback fighter and I’d like to fight every day if I could. I feel you don’t fight the records, you fight the fighter. I see a lot of guys get knocked out by a guy with a record like me or worse beating an undefeated guy.” So Smith moved forward taking fights against whoever, whenever, and wherever he could get them. Along the way he had some good wins against fighters who were supposed to beat him and took some losses due to being in tough fights, fighting on the road, and often fighting on short notice. Smith believes that his record can fool people into thinking he is an easy out for an up and comer, but they find out they made a mistake come fight night. “I just feel as though I’m a good fighter but everyone looks at my record and they think they can run over me, but then really see who I am and the people I beat, they don’t fight me and take that chance. So I get last minute notice, week notice. That’s how I got some of those losses but that was my fault, my mistake. You got to live and learn.” For a fighter like Smith it is all about getting a break and taking advantage of an opportunity. In late 2010 Smith got that opportunity with a call to fight former world champion and Olympian Jeff Lacy. Lacy had fallen on tough times but was still considered a top 168lber. Lacy’s management looking for a good comeback fight called on Dhafir to fight Lacy in his hometown of Saint Petersburg, Fl. Lacy was supposed to walk over Smith putting on a show for his hometown fans and then get his career back on track. Even people in Shulers Gym were telling Dhafir he would get knocked out. Dhafir had other ideas and came prepared to ruin the party. Smith dominated the former champ and took a unanimous decision win by wide scores of 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112. It was the high point for a fighter that had made a career of taking on the toughest challenges. Smith talked about this being the highlight of his career so far. ”I feel as though it is. Nobody was giving me a chance, nobody in my gym was giving me a chance. Everybody thought I was going to get knocked out and I went in his hometown, his backyard, beat him unanimous decision twelve rounds.” The win gave Dhafir a special accommodation. The Briscoe Awards run by PhillyBoxingHistory with voting from Philadelphia’s boxing journalists awarded Dhafir with a special Briscoe award for upset of the year to mark his achievement. On the night of the awards Dhafir was clearly proud of the accomplishment and being recognized for being the underdog that overcame the odds.
Smith feels he is far from done with upsets and Briscoe’s. He plans on making a habit of taking out the best fighters and piling up a collection of Briscoe statues for upsets. “I want some more upset of year awards, that’s what I really want. I really don’t want fighter of the year, I want upset of the year because everybody, whoever I get in there with has a better record or whatever, or better talent, or whatever. They think I’m going to get blown out and then when I beat them, they got nothing to say. They can’t say nothing.” And Smith’s talents have not gone unnoticed. His most recent assignment was not a sanctioned fight but a call from one the brightest stars in boxing, Andre Ward. With a title defense and the Super Six final looming against England’s Carl Froch, Ward’s team was looking for a sparring partner that had the talent and abilities to prepare Ward for the tough British fighter. Smith got the call. “They called Percy Custus (Dhafir’s trainer and manager of Shulers Gym) about me doing the training camp with Andre Ward. They called because I had the style to get him ready for Carl Froch. I got him ready, I was the chief sparring partner and we got the job done.” Ward went on to dominate Froch. With that experience comes a growing process for Smith. He got the opportunity to work with one of the pound for pound best on a daily basis. He was able to test his skills in this arena, find out that he could hang with the best, and become a much better fighter in the process. “Andre Ward is a world class fighter and a world class champion and I think he’s going to be a champion for a long time.” “When I came home I was ready to spar with any and everybody. I feel as though if I can get in there with Andre Ward and give him all the work he can handle, I can spar with anybody in Philly or anybody all over the world. I know we got talent in Philly but Andre Ward is a different level fighter. He stays busy all three minutes of the round and you got to bring out everything you know to spar with him because he’s a tough fighter and you know he’s a world class fighter, a champ.”
Now, at twenty nine years of age with fifty three fights under his belt and a wealth of knowledge of boxing in and out of the ring, Smith wants to capitalize on the lessons he has learned and the talent he has gained. He believes with the right opportunities and hard work he can still accomplish the ultimate goal of any fighter, to win a world title. He needs to move forward as he will do in his fight this Saturday at First District Plaza in Philadelphia. Smith will take on the inexperienced Quinton Rankin 4-1 (3 KO) who is a late replacement for the much more experienced Marcos Primera who dropped out recently. For once Smith is the one in the role of being the man who is home and supposed to win. “I got to beat guys I’m not supposed to beat like Jeff Lacy. I’ve beaten a lot of guys on my resume, big name fighters. Jeff Lacy, Larry Marks, Jonathan Reid, Brandon Mitchem, goes on and on. I got a lot of big names on my record I wasn’t supposed to beat but I beat them.” “Like our show we’re doing January 28, get some more wins, build my record up, and get a shot at a title somewhere. You know I don’t care, I’m a road warrior. Next fight January 28 is a tune up fight, next fight should be end of March fighting Rayco Saunders for the State Title. We got some good things happening with James Shuler Boxing.” Smith has a particular goal in mind and a path to follow. He would not be the first fighter from Philadelphia to walk the path of a tough road but endure to earn a world title and he believes someone will make the mistake of giving him a chance based on his record. “I feel as though I’m the next Freddie Pendleton of this era. He had a lot of losses but he still became a world champion. A lot of people say I can be the next Freddie Pendleton. I just got to keep training and wait for the right opportunity.” “All I got to do is get some more wins and somebody will give me a shot just looking at my god damn record thinking it’s an easy win tune-up.” Custus who will tell you straight as an arrow his opinion believes as well that Dhafir has what it takes as long as he trains hard and steps up when the time comes. “The sky is the limit with his abilities. He’s just got to really step up to the plate when it’s time to do it.” Smith has made a mark for himself in Philadelphia boxing. He has proven himself as a tough road warrior who could have fought in any era of this sport. With precious years remaining in a demanding sport he looks to make the most of his time and put his name onto the list of those who have earned a title the hard way. “I just want everybody to come watch the fight January 28 over on Market St. Come watch me perform and move to the next level and I just want to make Philly proud like I did beating Jeff Lacy and everybody in Philly Boxing History. Some people said I could do it, some people said I couldn’t. I went out there and made history in Philly beating Jeff Lacy, a former two time world champion and Olympian. A guy like me beat Jeff Lacy. I want to keep on doing that I want to keep on getting upset of the year awards. I don’t want fighter of the year, I want upset of the year Bennie Briscoe award. That’s what I want.” Notes
Question, comment, agree, disagree, or anything at all, send it to gboxing3@gmail.com. Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Shulers Gym Features the Future by Gary Purfield (01/24/12)
This Saturday Shulers Gym Promotions headed by Percy Custus will take their fighters from the gym to the ring for ten scheduled bouts at First District Plaza in Philadelphia. The card titled Future of Philadelphia Fighters features several veterans and young prospects. Shulers Gym is known for having the toughest sparring in the city and the place to go for exciting gym wars. The gym, which is officially called the James Shuler Memorial Gym after James “Black Gold” Shuler is home to Steve Cunningham, Hank Lundy, Yusaf Mack, and multiple other tough Philly fighters. The card is headlined by the return of heavyweight Gerald “The Jedi” Nobles who has been out of the ring for more than four years. Nobles is 26-1 (21 KO) with his biggest win being a ninth round TKO of former WBA Champ Bruce Seldon in May of 2004. Nobles only loss was later in 2004 to heavyweight giant Nicolay Valuev by fourth round disqualification for repeated low blows. Nobles takes on Newark NJ’s
Marlon Hayes 23-10 (11 KO) in a six round bout. Hayes has never
fought at heavyweight and has been as low
The always tough Dhafir Smith takes to the ring in the co-feature against Marcos Primera in a six round Super Middleweight bout. The fight is a rematch from a June 2010 bout where Smith won a six round unanimous decision. Smith 24-22-7 (7 KO) is known for being far more dangerous than his record suggests. Smith upset Jeff Lacy in December of 2012 and has been a top sparring partner for several title holders including Andre Ward while preparing to fight Carl Froch. Primera 20-25-2 (13 KO) has losses to notable fighters Matt Korobov, Darryl Cunningham, Austin Trout, and Josh Clottey. Primera has lost ten in a row to solid competition since his best win, an eighth round knockout of Curtis Stevens in 2006. Rising prospect Julian Williams is scheduled to be on the card in a six round junior middleweight bout, but at this time no opponent has been set. Williams 8-0-1 (4 KO) strength and tenacious attack have many excited for what he can do in the future. Williams, who was signed by Gary Shaw, had a very successful amateur career winning Golden Gloves titles and going 75-10. The card is rounded out with another six rounder and seven four rounder’s. Knowing the mentality of Shulers Gym the remaining bouts will be well matched for decent and fan friendly action. Notes
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Bryant Jennings Seizes the Opportunity Ringside coverage by Gary Purfield (01/22/12) Some
photos courtesy of Phillyboxinghistory.com In the first NBC Sports Fight Night card Bryant Jennings fought his way to a unanimous decision over fellow undefeated heavyweight prospect Maurice Byarm. The two young prospects engaged in back and forth heavyweight action from the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia to headline the show. The top billing on the card was thrown together less than a week ago when the original main event fell apart at the last minute. The opening of the fight night card was supposed to be a battle of proven top heavyweight contenders Eddie Chambers and Sergei Liakhovich giving the live fans and TV audience a chance to see a former champion and former title challenger. But when Eddie Chambers announced that he could not fight due to broken ribs it was too late to find a suitable replacement for former WBO champ Sergei Liakhovich. So Main Events Promotions and matchmaker Russell Peltz went on the hunt for a last minute plan to save the show. In stepped two young untested by hungry prospects eager to seize the chance to gain the spotlight. Jennings and Byarm jumped at the opportunity to be featured on live TV despite that fact they would be risking their undefeated records early in their careers. After a calm first round Jennings went on the offensive in round two. Byarm was the aggressor moving forward, stalking his faster and more agile foe, but Jennings got the better of the action by exploding from a distance to land hard one-two combinations that got the crowd’s attention. Throughout the early parts of the fight Byarm stalked but Jennings kept control by using his jab and fighting in his terms.
“He was surprised because I know my ability, I know my strength. He weighs twenty four more pounds than me but I was much bigger, much stronger person. He was a southpaw. That didn’t play no part at all. I was not feared at all by a left hand that was coming from the opposite position.” But by the mid-way point Byarm began letting his hands go and eased into the fight. Byarm began pushing Jennings to the ropes where he could land his shorter punches and begin piling up rounds. Down the stretch the two young fighters went back and forth with momentum swinging on a dime. Each time one man landed a flurry the other responded with their own punches. The later rounds were tough to score and many on press row had varying scorecards. The Boxing Tribune had the final tally a draw at 95-95. Going into the last round it appeared to be up for grabs and Jennings seized the fight by being far busier and more accurate in an exciting tenth round. Jennings wide heavy shots had an impact and landed with authority when he had Byarm pushed against the ropes. With the fight seeming close the scores were read and the judges favored Jennings thudding shots that grabbed attention by scores of 97-93 and 96-94. With the win Jennings remains unbeaten at 12-0 (5 KO). Byarm who takes his first loss goes to 13-1-1 (9 KO).
In the end it was Jennings who did enough to win gaining the PA State Heavyweight title and far more exposure than if he had simply followed the typical route of taking on lesser opposition. “That was a test and I passed with flying colors. I give myself an A-.” “I am now officially a ten round fighter. It was very impressive. It was on television. To be honest with you, I wasn’t thinking about TV. I was thinking about my fans. I was thinking about not losing the fight, period.” One week ago Jennings was preparing for an off TV fight a month away. Now he finds himself with his first belt around his waist and the pride that comes with a headlining TV victory. It was the reason he jumped at the chance to be in this fight and showed that his confidence had paid off. “This week was a dream. It was a dream and it was a nightmare at the same time because going into preparation your about to go in there and your about to do this. This is not like a walkover ten round fight. This is against two undefeated heavyweights. I gave it a lot.” Trainer Fred Jenkins stated he was happy with his fighter’s performance and felt this will teach him what he still has to learn going forward. “It makes him see what he’s got to do. It will open his eyes up to see what he’s got to learn. He got the experience in a live fight.” Experience, a State title, and getting a win on national TV. Not a bad night when you thought you would be a spectator seven days ago.
Undercard Results See separate article “Rosado’s Statement Steals the Show” for details on Gabe Rosado’s TKO victory in the co-feature over Jesus Soto-Karass (below).
Carrasquillo can easily be considered an easy opponent with a look at his record which is now 16-19-1 (14 KO) but anyone that has seen him fight knows he is never an easy out. Carrasquillo moves forward with relentless pressure and absorbs his opponent’s punches with his iron head while laughing to show that he is not fazed by anything that is thrown at him. Those who cannot handle the pressure become victims and Carrasquillo is known for taking out young talented fighters. Robinson though was up the
challenge as he employed a circling boxing clinic designed to hit
and get out of harm’s way before the slower Carrasquillo could get
off. Carrasquillo had a few moments where he trapped Robinson in
the corner and landed hard shots including a thudding bomb late in
the final round. But other than those moments Robinson was too
slick for his plodding opponent and was able to take the
Robinson, who usually is not fighting moving backward, chose to employ the strategy for this fight considering Carrasquillo’s style. Robinson was asked after the fight about Carrasquillo’s strength. “Strength don’t matter if he can’t hit what he can’t see.” Robinson had been on a fast track but then lost consecutive fights to Brad Solomon in 2009 and Shawn Porter in 2010. He sat out for over a year and then returned as part of the new BAM Boxing Promotions earlier this year to easily knock out trial horse Manuel Guzman. Now with a win over a tough veteran Robinson seems poise to move forward to bigger things. In the TV swing bout Sullivan Barrera of Cuba who now resides in Miami, FL easily took a unanimous decision over Damar Singleton of Toledo, OH. Barrera won by scores of 60-54 twice and somehow one judge found a round to give to Singleton scoring the bout 59-55. Barrera easily had his way in what was a slow paced one sided fight. The bout was in the light heavyweight division. Barrera moves to 9-0 (6 KO) and Singleton drops a bout for the first time to 6-1 (4 KO). Jose Peralta won a one sided six round welterweight fight over Lenwood Dozier by scores of 60-54 on all three cards. Peralta was extremely active firing off combinations with an aggressive come forward style. Dozier did a decent job on defense slipping shots and absorbing heavy blows but never mounted any kind of offense to get into the fight. Peralta of Jersey City, NJ goes to 7-1 (4 KO) while Dozier of Glen Burnie, MD falls to 7-4-1 (3 KO).
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Rosado’s Statement Steals the Show Ringside report by Gary Purfield (01/22/12)
Gabriel Rosado told everyone this week he would be making a statement. He stated he would be the aggressor against Jesus Soto-Karass who is known for being a pressure fighter. Rosado stated he would be the first to stop the tough Mexican and would make his mark as the future of Philadelphia boxing. Rosado followed through on his predictions with his actions by putting on a dominating performance in the ten round Junior Middleweight co-feature of Main Events inaugural NBC Sports Fight Night show. Rosado used his size and skills to abuse his opponent, become the first to stop Soto-Karass, and announce himself to the boxing public on national TV. Rosado wasted no time getting started in the first round. Employing a controlled aggression he marched forward landing numerous overhand rights to the head and left hooks to the body. “I hurt him with, he threw a jab, and I came over the top with an overhand right. I told Billy (trainer Billy Briscoe) I was going to get him with that. A lot of things I was catching and coming back the hook, the hook was landing beautiful.” In round two Soto-Karass seemed to get into the fight but it was still Rosado’s round. In round three Rosado went back on the attack and never gave an ounce of momentum back. Landing hard shots to the head and body punctuated by opening a cut over Soto-Karass’s left eye Rosado took complete control of the action.
Throughout round four Rosado’s attack had the crowd in a frenzy often chanting Gabby-Gabby to cheer on the hometown favorite. Considering Bernard Hopkins can’t actually fight forever Rosado wants to add his name to the list along with Mike Jones and Danny Garcia as the man to take over the face of Philadelphia boxing. “You heard that crowd. I just wanted to show that Philadelphia appreciates the underdog. They like that. The crowd was behind me and I love it man. I just wanted to give the fans that performance. I know that fans don’t want to see a guy running around and throwing pitter patter shots. They want to see hard shots. They want to see action. That’s what I want to give them. I’m just glad that Philly is backing me up. Like I said, when Bernard hangs it up, I’m gonna carry that torch, I’m running with it.” Action and hard punches was what the crowd got. Prior to round five Soto Karass’s corner spilled a bucket of ice in the corner in what clearly seemed like an attempt to buy their man time. The strategy game was not going to be enough. Rosado came out with a fury for round five landing at will with Soto-Karass nearly out on his feet. Then at 2:06 of round five with Rosado pounding away in the corner referee Steve Smoger jumped in to halt the action making Rosado the first to stop Soto-Karass. He succeeded where others including fellow Philadelphia contender Mike Jones failed in beating Soto-Karass inside the distance. Rosado stated leading up to the fight that he would not be trying to box Soto Karass. He felt he would be able to use his size advantage to push Soto-Karass out of his comfort zone of being a pressure fighter and force him to be defensive where he would not be able to handle going backward. “He’s never been backed up. You see when I was on my toes he was comfortable. When I started throwing my shots, he couldn’t do nothing about it. I knew I could back this guy up. That was my game plan going in. I was gonna back this guy up and get him out of his comfort zone.” “I felt so comfortable today. Nothing fazed me. This guy put pressure, it didn’t bother me, and I knew this guy was going to be like that. I was just comfortable, I was relaxed. I never felt that comfortable in a fight. It was just like total control. It’s that experience kicking in.” To his credit, Soto Karass 24-7-3 (16 KO) was brave and tough as always. But bravery was not going to get in Rosado’s way, he was determined to show he was ready to announce himself to a national audience and put on what was certainly his best performance so far.
Rosado 19-5 (11 KO) has been through his ups and downs winning fights as the underdog and losing some he could have won. But the experience from taking tough fights and going the hard road has paid off as he has matured into a more complete fighter with confidence and a wide skill set. “I’m at a point where I’m in my zone. Angulo, I wasn’t ready for a guy like Angulo. Me, the attitude I have is bring whoever, King Kong, whoever. But, now with the experience I know. I’m in total control. I have my ring identity. I didn’t know if I should box, I should put pressure, I was trying to figure it out, what was my identity. Now I know what I can do, what I’m capable of. I’m comfortable now and I think that makes a big difference in my fight game right now.” “A lot of his shots that landed, I was grazing them, Bernard does that. A lot of the things I was doing was old school. I was catching them. Everything was on the inside, with my counters I was making him pay.” Now Rosado wants to keep his momentum and get his shot against the best. The fighter who says he would take on King Kong wants to make the most of 2012 and had a particular 154 title holder in his sights. “I feel great man, I feel like I want that shot. 2012 is the year; I wanted to make a statement here. Steve Smoger just told me that I would have beat anybody that day. That’s my determination, my hunger, my new attitude this year.” “I’m telling you I’m ready for
whoever. That’s that statement I wanted to make today. Whoever it
is, Canelo, I will fight Canelo. I will fight whoever man. That’s
my attitude and I’m confident in my ability.” Question, comment, agree, disagree, or anything at all, send it to gboxing3@gmail.com. Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Main Events hoping Plan B is an A Young Undefeated Heavyweights Bryant Jennings and Maurice Byarm look to seize the opportunity By Gary Purfield (01/19/12) Main Events Promotions and NBC thought they had the right matchup to kick off their Fight Night series that will begin this Saturday from the Arena in Philadelphia and will air four more times in 2012. Pitting two proven heavyweights in Eddie Chambers and Sergei Liakhovich to show they would be looking to make even matchups fans could enjoy. But this is boxing, where if something can go wrong, it will. Less than a week from the fight Chambers dropped out with a rib injury. Without enough time to find a heavyweight with enough talent to make an even match with someone of Liakhovich’s talent they were forced to think of another plan. So in steps two young heavyweight prospects with undefeated records that find themselves in a competitive pick-em fight long before most of today’s fighters dare this move in their careers. Bryant Jennings 11-0 (5 KO) and Maurice Byarm 13-0-1 (9 KO) will square off with the opportunity to win a headlining TV fight long before either thought they would get this chance. Main Events CEO Kathy Duva summed up the ups and downs of the week with the following. “We have had one hellacious week but I think the boxing gods have smiled on us. The boxing gods and Russell Peltz smiled on us and decided they are going to give an unbelievable match on Saturday night.” Both fighters are from Philadelphia and will renew the territory wars as Jennings is from North Philadelphia and Byarm, who now lives in Washington DC is from South Philadelphia. To hall of fame promoter and matchmaker for the fight night series Russell Peltz, this is the way it used to be and how boxing should be run. Let talented fighters test themselves early and often and stop focusing so much on unbeaten records. Peltz discussed his opinions on what makes a fight worth watching and what he thinks about the current trend in boxing of coveting an undefeated record. “It’s not that there are not any good fighters around today. It’s that there are not any good managers around today. You have to know when opportunity knocks.” “As the late Teddy Bruner always said, the finest matchmaker their ever was. Number one do the styles blend. Number two is the fight important, is it going to lead anywhere. Number three, would I buy a ticket to watch the fight. I say in both cases Saturday night (Jennings vs. Byarm and co-feature Gabriel Rosado vs. Jesus Soto-Karass), the answer is yes.” “You can forget the fact that every good young prospect has to be undefeated. It’s a fallacy, it all depends on who you’re in with. Like I said on the internet today. Theirs more fighters parading around today with 15-0 and 20-0 records than ever before. There’s only two reasons for that. Their either frauds or they're the next Sugar Ray Leonard’s and honestly, I don’t see too many Sugar Ray Leonard’s around.” For Jennings and Byarm it is an opportunity to advance their careers while still in the prospect stage. Jennings who has eleven fights under his belt and Byarm who has fourteen get the chance to headline the televised show on NBC Sports. But with the opportunity comes risk. In today’s boxing climate many fans and experts put far more weight on the undefeated record than in previous eras of the sport. But for each fighter it seemed a simple and obvious choice. I asked each man after the press conference why they chose to take such a risky fight so early in their careers. Jennings, who was willing to step in and take a bigger risk fighting Liakhovich explained his reasoning. “It’s important because this is why we fight, this is what we look forward to from our pro-debut. I don’t look to have a 20-0 record or 25-0 record, I don’t look to be the perfect fighter with a perfect record. I’m looking to be a perfect fighter. Sometimes you got to put that undefeated record on the line just to prove whose best, to prove whose better, let the best man win. If you keep ducking fights, by the time you get to the end, you lose, it drains you so much it pulls away from you and all you’ve done. It deteriorates the fighter. So I figure it’s best to take this chance right here early in my career.” Byarm had the same determination that this was an obvious choice to take the fight. “I have to say the undefeated record isn’t a big deal, but like Russell said, when opportunity knocks, you can’t wait for a better opportunity. Sometimes that better opportunity will never arrive. It was a great opportunity for both of us.” For Jennings he also sees this as a chance to prepare himself for tough fights later in his career. “I’ll be better off than guys who continue to duck and who continue to pick around. I feel as though I’m ready. I look at a lot of fighters, they get that 22-0, then they get all the way up to near top, in the top ten or whatever. Then all of a sudden they say this guy’s not ready to fight for the title. What do you mean. He’s been in this game for that long, you’ve got all these wins and you’re not ready to be the best in the world. I’m getting ready right now early in my career. This is what we do all the way from our pro-debut all the way to the last fight of our career.” For Byarm he sees this as a chance to push his career to a bigger level with more exposure and more fans. “It’s going to be a great fight. It’s going to be a great fight for me and Bryant. Win, lose, or draw it’s going to catapult us to a higher elevation in our career. I think this fight is going to bring out the best in each other.” “It’s going to be great not just for us but for most importantly the fans. Like I said, win, lose, or draw we’re both going to come out with more fans than we came in with. I think at the end of this fight they’re going to know us both.”
Saturday night will be a throwback of sorts. The co-feature will pit two fighters, Gabriel Rosado and Jesus Soto Karass, who have taken tough roads in boxing instead of the easy way. They were not matched so they could showcase themselves against lesser competition but because their styles should make for an exciting fight for the fans. The main event features two talented fighters willing to face each other early in their careers to gain experience and exposure on a big stage. Something that was done frequently in the golden era of boxing but now is rarely seen. Bryant Jennings made it clear that his opinion is that fans should get to the Arena in Philadelphia or watch on TV. “Me and this guy to my left, we the future. So get ready for the future. Get your popcorn, get your beer, get your hotdogs. Get everything, don’t get out your seat, please don’t miss this main event because it will be something you’re going to regret if you miss it.” Notes
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Gabe Rosado out to Make a Statement on NBC Sports Philly Jr. Middleweight Gabe Rosado believes his time is coming to be the face of Philadelphia boxing By Gary Purfield (01/18/12) Junior Middleweight Gabriel Rosado 18-5 (10 KO) will never be accused of being a pampered fighter. He didn’t turn pro with a big press conference and headlines. He was not matched carefully early to be brought along as a top prospect. Rosado fought the hard road to make a name for himself and improve his abilities inside the ring by being matched tough early and often. What this brought Rosado was a blemished record (by today’s boxing standards) that made his fight in this Saturday’s televised co-feature on NBC Sports that much more difficult to obtain. But this also brought Rosado an unintended reward along the way. He just may be in line to become a fan favorite and the face of Philadelphia boxing in the coming year if he continues his winning ways. “King” Gabriel Rosado hails from North Philadelphia and knows as well as anyone that it takes more than a title belt and pretty record to win over Philly fans. They like the underdog. The blue collar nature of the people of Philadelphia appreciate the fighter like Rosado who had to battle adversity to earn his chance in the spotlight. While undefeated contenders Mike Jones and Danny Garcia who both have title fights on the horizon (Garcia takes on Morales for a 140-lb title and Jones is slated to face Randall Bailey for a 147-lb title) are the obvious picks to take over the spotlight when Bernard Hopkins retires, Rosado has the back story to be the crowd favorite. “I think when it’s all said and done I’m going to be the face of boxing in Philadelphia. I come from the bottom; this is a grind for me. I didn’t get it easy. I went through adversity early in my career. I went into tough fights early and I think the way I’ve been coming along the fans like that.” Philly is a city that overwhelmingly embraces the underdogs and overachievers. They love the guys who muck and grind to the top. The rough and tough blue collar players on the Broad Street Bullies Flyers teams are still heroes in the city wherever they go more than thirty five years after they won the Stanley Cup because they were tough and played hard every night. The 2001 Sixers made it the finals with Iverson and a rag tag bunch of grinders and overachievers. They came up short to a superior Lakers team but anyone who was in the building for that season and playoff run knew the end was not the point. The point was that the city had their type of team that gave effort above their skill level every night. Never say die warriors that had paid their dues and now were rising above expectations. Sure it is nice to have the favorite but in this city the underdog will always be a little more special. “They like the underdog, they root for the underdog and I’m the underdog. I’m all about the fans, I’m all about giving the fans entertaining fights and I think when it’s all said and done Philadelphia’s going to really back me up.” In that vein Rosado has an opportunity to be embraced in one of the old fashion fight towns in a way no top prospect who had the well matched road to the top can have. Rosado had to do it the hard way. Rosado lost the undefeated record in his sixth fight against an opponent Chris Gray (3-2 at the time) he should have beaten. Two fights later he lost again. This time to Joshua Onyango who was 12-13 at the time. While Onyango had a pedestrian record he is strong and was far more experienced. Undeterred Rosado began what would be a trend of improving his skills to get better. He won his next fight and then avenged the previous loss knocking Onyango out in three rounds. Rosado played the underdog against undefeated James Moore (15-0 at the time) in Moore’s home area New York City. It was expected Moore would outbox Rosado. Instead the visiting Rosado floored Moore in the fifth and won a unanimous decision. In his next fight, Rosado took on Fernando Guerrero who, at the time was a hot undefeated prospect. The fight was in Guerrero’s backyard in Salisbury, MD. Rosado dropped Guerrero in the third but lost the decision down the stretch. Once again bouncing back Rosado went back to work improving his skills. He and longtime trainer Billy Briscoe went to the drawing board and began crafting a boxer to go with his natural strength and toughness. One fight after the Guerrero loss he upset former World Champion Kassim Ouma. This was parlayed into an opportunity on ESPN FNF against feared puncher Alfredo Angulo but Rosado was blown out in two rounds. Since the Angulo fight Rosado is a different fighter. His confident personality and willingness to improve by learning from his mistakes has paid dividends. He seems to have settled into his own abilities as a fighter with more skills on offense and defense. He has a true boxer-trainer relationship with Billy Briscoe and they have worked hard to constantly add more and more wrinkles to Rosado’s arsenal, especially greatly improved defense after the Angulo fight. Gone is the fighter who would come out of fights banged up from taking too many punches and in his place is a boxer with slick head movement that can make people miss and make them pay.
Since the Angulo loss Rosado is 6-1 with the lone loss coming in a tight affair with Philadelphia counterpart Derek Ennis in a fight Rosado seemed to give away by not pressing the action enough. Wins in that time include a knockout over Latif Mundy who was a well-regarded prospect at the time, a win over the experienced Saul Roman, and a dominating knockout of Ayi Bruce. Now Rosado finds himself with a big opportunity to shine on a big stage. With Main Events Promotions staging their inaugural NBC Sports card in Rosado’s hometown and Philadelphia Promoter Russell Peltz (who promotes Rosado) being the matchmaker, Rosado takes on veteran bad ass Jesus Soto-Karass 24-6-3 (16 KO) in the ten round co-feature. Rosado is well aware he has to do more than just win. With a record that does not blow fans away he needs to be impressive to create a demand to see him fight again. “I know the importance of this fight. I don’t want to go into this fight and just win. I know that we have to make a statement. I think if we dominate Soto-Karass, back him up, put the pressure on him, get a stoppage which is what I’m looking for, I feel that’s going to create a big buzz. A lot of people are going to be impressed with me and that’s what I want.” At the very least Rosado needs to be dominant and exciting. Soto-Karass is coming up in weight and is considered someone you should beat if you are going to be a title challenger. But Soto-Karass has never been stopped so ending things before the final bell would certainly make a statement. “I think if I give him a beat down, let’s say it goes to ten, let’s say he make the distance but I without a doubt outclass this guy I’m sure that will make a statement as well but I want to stop him.” “We’re the bigger guy, he’s coming up in weight. I’m not gonna let a welterweight bully me around, not going to happen. I don’t think he’s stronger than me and he’s definitely not bigger than me so I don’t see him backing me up. We’re gonna bring it to him.” “I really think that we’re gonna stop this guy. The type of pressure we’re going to apply and the way we’re going to go to the body, I’ll really be surprised if this guy goes the whole ten rounds.” Almost every step of the way Rosado has taken the hard road in his career. He takes the road less traveled in today’s boxing world. Willing to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime he has taken his lumps but is better off for it in the ring. He has developed and matured into a more experienced and more skilled fighter due to his ups and downs. Rosado enters his fight Saturday night looking to show his record is not an indication of a fighter that has losses, but one that demonstrates he has taken the hard matches, which have made him a dangerous and experienced boxer that is ready to take on the best. In the process he has an opportunity to become the face of a city dying to regain its place as a top boxing town and to be the type of winner Philly fans embrace with open arms. “I have a lot of people that are supporting me now. There is going to be a big turnout that day so I think when it’s all said and done, once Bernard hangs it up, I feel that I am going to be that guy.”
Notes
Question, comment, agree, disagree, or anything at all, send it to gboxing3@gmail.com. Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Farah Ennis, Angel Ocasio, and Miguel Cartagena in Action Friday By Gary Purfield (01/11/12)
This Friday from the National Guard Armory in Northeast Philly, Power Productions puts on the first live card of the year in Philadelphia from the National Guard Armory highlighted by several up and comers from the Philadelphia boxing scene. Super Middleweight contender Farah Ennis headlines the card while well regarded prospects Angel Ocasio and Miguel Cartagena are also in action. The Philadelphia native Ennis 17-1 (11 KO) takes on Grover Young 5-4-1 (2 KO) in the eight round main event of the evening. Ennis was coming along well winning his first seventeen fights against increasingly better opposition and picking up the NABF Super Middleweight title when he knocked out Victor Lares in November 2010. But then Ennis dropped a majority decision to Alexander Johnson in April of 2011. Johnson was 10-0 (4 KO) at the time. Ennis has been out of action since the loss and now “the Quiet Storm” makes his return to the ring. His opponent, Grover Young does not have the best record but all four of his losses have been against undefeated fighters so he has experience against quality opposition. Ennis will look to rebound while Young will try and disappoint the home crowd.
Ocasio has considerable boxing skills that have his handlers very excited about his potential. In his last bout against Rasool Shakoor 3-8-1 Ocasio put on his best performance as a pro. Ocasio showed up in great shape looking far more solid than his previous bouts. When this writer asked Ocasio about his conditioning he stated he has taken a lot of techniques from other fighters and gyms and feels he is in just as good if not better shape than his last fight. If Ocasio has an area that can be improved he needs to sit down on his punches and the knockouts will begin coming more frequently. He has shown that he has strength and power in both hands but needs to make the commitment to stand and punch with power if he wants to bring the stoppage rate up. “Actually ya that’s the first fight I started working on sitting down on a lot of my punches. I feel as though a knockout isn’t really important as long as you put on a great show and the fans like it.” Ocasio is looking forward to his first co-headlining bout and feels he is prepared to put on a show for the crowd. “My goal is I’m ready to put on a show and I come prepared one hundred percent.” Also on the card is highly regarded Philadelphia Bantamweight Miguel Cartagena 3-0 (2 KO). While only three fights into his pro career Cartagena has already created a buzz in the Philadelphia fight scene with his impressive skill set and from his impressive amateur background. In 2009 Cartagena won the US National Championship and National Golden Gloves Championship. The nineteen year old Cartagena does not figure to be tested much Friday night against Yuniel Ramos 1-5-1. Tim Witherspoon Jr. 6-1-1 (2 KO) takes on Tevan Farmer 3-2-1 (1 KO) in a battle of Philadelphia Jr. welterweights. Witherspoon is the son of former two time Heavyweight Champion Tim Witherspoon, Also heavyweight Joey Dawejko 5-0 (2 KO) takes on Corey Winfield 4-8 (2 KO). Dawejko is a talented fighter but has been criticized for letting his weight and conditioning go. He has stated he is in much better shape now and is anxious to show his better physique and boxing abilities.
The card has a total of eleven fights and begins at 7:30pm Friday
night at the National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia. This
writer will be ringside to cover the action and provide a full recap
afterwards. Question, comment, agree, disagree, or anything at all, send it to gboxing3@gmail.com. Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Sergio Martinez to Fight Matthew Macklin St. Patty’s Day at Garden
By Gary Purfield (01/11/12) At a press conference today in New York City Dibella Entertainment announced that recognized Middleweight Champ Sergio Martinez 48-2-2 (27 KO) will take on Matthew Macklin 28-3 (19 KO) on March 17, 2012 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The fight takes place on St. Patty’s day and in addition to Ireland’s Macklin, Ireland native Andy Lee will be featured in the co-headliner. Martinez has gained plenty of attention recently with his statements that he would no longer fight for the WBC title belts, that he is tired of being avoided by WBC title holder Julio Cesar Chavez, and expressed his disappointment with how his career has been handled by HBO. While Martinez does not hold any of the four major sanctioning body titles he is widely recognized as the true Middleweight Champion. Martinez burst onto the boxing scene when he stepped in as a late replacement for Kelly Pavlik to take on Paul Williams at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on December 5, 2009. Martinez lost a very close decision in an action packed fight but received a shot at the man he replaced, Kelly Pavlik on April 17, 2010 to challenge for Pavlik’s WBC and WBO Middleweight titles. Martinez would bloody Pavlik to win a unanimous decision and become the Middleweight Champion. Martinez then avenged his loss to Williams with a brutal one punch knockout win in round two on November 20, 2010. While 2011 was expected to be a break out year for Martinez he was not able to get any major names into the ring. He would knock out Sergey Dzinziruk in eight rounds on March 12, 2011 and then knocked out Darren Barker in eleven rounds on November 1, 2011. Martinez was previously stripped of the WBO belt and then prior to the Dzinziruk fight Martinez was stripped of the WBC belt for not fighting mandatory Sebastian Zbik who was not approved by HBO. Later HBO would approve Zbik to fight Julio Cesar Chavez for the now vacant WBC belt. Martinez now looks to move forward taking on Macklin. Macklin is coming off a loss to WBA Middleweight title holder Felix Sturm on June 25, 2011 in Germany. While Macklin dropped the decision many felt he was robbed in a controversial decision. Despite Martinez’s recent comments the fight will be televised on HBO World Championship Boxing. Andy Lee 27-1 (19 KO) will be featured in the co-main event which will also be aired on HBO. Lee will certainly add to the ticket sales and live audience atmosphere considering he is from Ireland on the St. Patty’s Day card. Lee, who lives with and is trained by Emmanuel Steward, is coming off a dominant ten round unanimous decision win over Brian Vera on October 1, 2011 avenging his only loss to Vera by knockout on March 21, 2008. Question, comment, agree, disagree, or anything at all, send it to gboxing3@gmail.com. Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Teon Kennedy: Back, Relaxed, and Ready By Gary Purfield (01/11/12) Six months ago Philadelphia featherweight Teon Kennedy was right where he wanted to be. Undefeated and knocking on the door to a title shot. Kennedy, who is known as “The Technician” for good reason, had all the necessary skills to make a title run. In addition to his skills, Kennedy had become known for being someone who had absolutely no problem throwing caution to the wind to engage in a slugfest that entertained the crowd. Kennedy was coming off a big win earlier in the year. He took on fellow contender Jorge Diaz on the Gamboa-Solis undercard. The fight was a barnburner where HBO certainly regretted not including it in the televised portion of the card because the fight stole the show for the live audience. The Diaz fight was the culmination of Kennedy being brought along from prospect to contender where he improved his skills, prepared himself for bigger fights and put on a boxing/brawling display that had fans jumping out of their seats for twelve rounds. But several months after the Diaz fight, Kennedy found himself in a fight with the Criminal Justice system facing several possible charges including attempted murder. With this cloud hanging over his head on August 13, 2011 at Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City, he entered a fight with little known Alejandro Lopez who was 21-2 (7 KO) at the time. While Lopez was no pushover, he was considered someone Teon could beat while staying busy and waiting for bigger opportunities. The slick moving Lopez out boxed Kennedy most rounds en route to the unanimous decision win. All night Lopez employed a stick and move while the distracted Kennedy chased him around the ring with no real plan to change the tide of the fight. For those who have seen Kennedy effectively cut off the ring and break down an opponent on many occasions, it was clear that he was not on his A game. Kennedy lost his undefeated record and his NABA title in a fight he was favored to win while still having the possibility of a court date with serious consequences hanging over his head. Since that time all charges have been dropped and Kennedy 17-1-1 (7 KO) has been cleared of any participation in the crime. Now Kennedy has the opportunity to get right back into contention as he headlines this week’s ESPN Friday Night Fights against Chris Martin 23-1-2 (6 KO). The question is which Teon Kennedy will show Friday night. Kennedy began his career as a consummate boxer where he earned the moniker “technician”. As time went along he became more and more susceptible to getting caught into brawls and drawn out wars. While his fights became incredibly crowd pleasing, many ringside observers wondered if they were the best thing for Teon’s chances of winning and his long term health in the sport. As stated above his fight with Jorge Diaz was action packed excitement, but Kennedy probably could have won without absorbing so much punishment. Moving forward Kennedy will have to establish his identity. Is he a boxer, a brawler or someone who can use both? I caught up with Teon in one of his final days of training at Joe Hand Gym before he leaves for Las Vegas to headline FNF. He talked about being relaxed and rededicated to the sport. Gary Purfield: Your nickname is the Technician and you have always been known as an excellent boxer, but your last several fights you got into a lot of wars. Do you think you should be boxing, brawling, or both? Teon Kennedy: Actually both, I mean I’d rather do boxing but if I have to. Mostly just boxing though. Both kind of work for me but I’d rather box and keep my pretty face. GP: Do you find that your plan is boxing but when you get hit in a fight you get caught up in a war? TK: It’ not that I get hit but a little of the crowd also, it gets you going and you make sure they have an exciting fight. GP: The last fight you had some things hanging over your head (criminal charges that have since been completely dropped). Did that distract you and what went wrong (against Alejandro Lopez on 8/13/11 where Kennedy suffered his first loss)? TK: Of course I had that stressing me because of the stuff outside of boxing and in my head. I didn’t know who my opponent was until two weeks before the fight so that kind of played a part a little bit. GP: Where are you now mentally opposed to the last fight? TK: Right now I’m real good. I’m just focused on my fight. I don’t have nothing outside the ring to hold me back so I’m good. GP: Is the last fight playing on your mind coming off the first time losing? TK: Not at all, it’s not playing on my mind. I know you can lose some, you can’t always win. That loss helped me get better. It helped me work harder in the gym. GP: What could you have done differently against Lopez that would have changed the outcome? TK: What I could have done differently was press him more. I laid back and should have pressed him more, got him tired into the later rounds. GP: What do you know about your opponent Chris Martin who you take on this Friday on ESPN Friday Night Fights and what do you have to do to be successful? TK: With him I got to make sure I go the body. I never seen anybody go to the body with him yet. I mean he’s a skilled fighter but makes a lot of mistakes I can capitalize on. It’s going to be an exciting fight but I know I’m gonna beat him. GP: Do you feel any extra pressure being on FNF that you have to not only win but look good for the TV audience? TK: No, I don’t feel no pressure on that. GP: Do you have any plans in mind going forward after the Martin fight? TK: Anybody, like I said I just want to fight the top guys in a world title bout. Anybody, I’ll fight anybody. GP: Anything else you want to say. TK: Just thanks to my fans out there and keep supporting me and my family for being there for me too.
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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Gym Notes: Eddie Chambers at Shuler’s Gym By Gary Purfield (01/04/12) The James Shuler Memorial Gym
in West Philadelphia is a throwback to an old fashion gym that past
greats would have used to learn their craft. Sporting a concrete
floor, several murals to past Shuler’s alumni, a ring, the essential
bags, a few weights, and some treadmills, the place is
But what the gym is most well-known for is their reputation for having the toughest, most rugged, most competitive, and best sparring around. Many fighters from anywhere in the tri-state area make the trek to Shuler’s to get good sparring for their upcoming fights. This past Tuesday was no different, as heavyweight contender Eddie Chambers left his home gym for the day to hit Shuler’s for eight rounds of action. I tagged along with Philly’s boxing scribe and historian John DiSanto of www.phillyboxinghistory.com to check out the sparring and talk with Chambers about his upcoming fight. Chambers 36-2 (18 KO) bounced
back from his knockout loss to Wladimir Klitschko in March of 2010
with a wide decision victory over Derric Rossy in February 2011.
Chambers next bout is less than three weeks away when takes on
former WBO Heavyweight champ Sergei Liakhovich in the main event
from the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia. The bout opens Main Events
new series that will air at least four times a year on NBC
The action for the day lived up to Shuler's reputation as Chambers went four rounds with emerging Cruiserweight Jaywon Woods and then took on Super Middleweight Dhafir Smith for another four. Smith is known for being one of the toughest most rugged fighters around. He upset Jeff Lacy and often is brought into camps for the top fighters to get them ready for upcoming bouts. Most recently Smith was in camp as one of the main sparring partners for Andre Ward as he prepared for Carl Froch. Dhafir immediately approached John and I saying we need to start paying for the sparring at Schuler’s. While Dhafir is joking, if asked for a ten dollar cover on the way in to watch I wouldn’t hesitate as the fighting is worth it. Often what you see at Shuler’s is as fierce and competitive as a professional fight except they have headgear and heavy gloves. Smith while at a size disadvantage against Chambers can give hell to anyone in sparring and knows how to get fighters ready for upcoming bouts. Smith took pride in Andre Ward’s dominating performance over Carl Froch stating that Ward would have gotten the knockout if he had not broken his hand (despite my chiding Smith denies that Ward’s broken hand was a result of hitting Dhafir’s solid head).
Chambers and Smith put on a show for those in the gym. Chambers often laid on the ropes showing his colorful personality hooting and taunting Dhafir. Smith got his as he always does but often Chambers would use his deceptive upper body movement to slip shots and land his counters. On they went for four rounds with the action heating up in each stanza. Several rounds of heated action and fun bantering between friends in the ring provided a show for us writers and those training in the gym. When all was said and done Chambers got the work he needed to continue preparing for a former champion, that he takes on in homecoming, that provides boxing’s return to NBC (well, NBC cable at least). Notes
Gary Purfield is also featured at the Boxing Tribune www.theboxingtribune.com.
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2011 Blog Entries |
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The
main event did not disappoint as both men came to fight and provided
action for the fans in attendance. Vasquez came out strong in round
one using his standard pressure attack to take the opening stanza.
In round two Spivey began measuring his opponent to land his jab and
right upstairs. The veteran Spivey got very busy with his punches
and was able to get the best out of each exchange. 
The
SJU grad had plenty of fan support on hand and did not disappoint
after a slow start. In round one Saulsberry came out looking to
disappoint the crowd by pulling the upset. He pursued Witherspoon
hard and landed several good shots while Chazz seemed content to
move around the ring to feel out his opponent in the opening
stanza. 
Female
fighters Nydia Feliciano and Ela Nunez put on what might have been
the most action packed battle of the night in a four round jr.
featherweight bout. While the action was good, Feliciano who fights
out of the Bronx was the more skilled fighter and took the unanimous
decision by scores of 39-37 on all three cards. Nunez 11-12-2 (3
KO) showed toughness hanging in and continuing the fight but was not
able to keep up with movement and accuracy of her opponent.
Feliciano baffled her opponent with slick movement of her head and
upper body while coming around each time to deliver hard shots to
the head and body. 
“To
be totally honest with you I’m a super middleweight but I’ve been
off for seventeen months with a lot of problems trying to get my
life together. I had to take a fight at a higher weight class. So
the first round I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous. The
guy was really husky. I was a little cautious the first round but
then my coach Dave Tiberi told me to settle down and use the jab.
So once I started doing that it started opening up. Boxing broke
him down.” 
“Head
movement obviously, angles. His punch output, his conditioning, and
his boxing IQ. You know what I mean, he’s not a dumb guy. You
always gotta add because there’s a difference between training and
continual education. Most fighters just train, we continually
educate. We always gotta find something different. Fighter is only
as strong as his weakest link. I know I use a lot of clichés but
you got to train the fighters to his weakest link. You know his jab
was always good but his head would stand and he would wait for the
receipt. Now we got him jabbing, moving his head, moving his hands,
stepping around, feet start moving.”
Vasquez
did things somewhat backwards. First he built the fan following,
then he really began improving his craft. Now the aggressive style
in the ring and the hard work outside the ring is truly starting to
pay off in the way of an opportunity. A win this weekend nets him
the NABA belt and a top fifteen ranking with the WBA in the
lightweight division. 
The
co-feature is an eight round heavyweight battle between
Philadelphia’s Chazz Witherspoon 29-2 (21 KO) and Nicaraguan Evans
Quinn 20-6-1 (18 KO), who now resides in Miami, Fl. Witherspoon who
is known as “The Gentleman” for his incredibly polite nature has a
wealth of talent and a very good amateur background including being
an alternate on the 2004 Olympic team. He will be looking to
perform in front of a home crowd that will include those from his
alma matter Saint Joseph’s University. Witherspoon attended SJU on
an academic scholarship and graduated in 2005 with a degree in
Pharmaceutical Marketing. 
Smith,
who usually fights at Super Middleweight, took on late replacement
Quinton Rankin out of Charlotte, SC in a six round Light Heavyweight
bout. Rankin came in with only five professional bouts and was seen
as someone Dhafir would easily dispose of. While Smith got the win
it was not easy as the southpaw Rankin made the night a project. 
The
judges saw it 59-54, 59-54, and 58-55 all for Smith (the Boxing
Tribune had it 59-55 for Smith). While the scores were wide the
action was close throughout, but Smith threw and landed a higher
volume of punches and threw the harder more accurate shots as well.
Smith 25-22-7 (22 KO), who has high expectations for himself and is
far more talented than what his record suggests, was visibly unhappy
with his performance afterwards. 
How
many fighters today have records of 15-0 or 20-0? How many of them
are truly that good and how many of them are products of careful
matchmaking and soft opposition? On the flip side of the coin is
the question, how many fighters out there are far better than their
record but did not have the advantage of management and promoters
that moved them along in pre-determined fights? 
“That
was the greatest thing for me, a great award, a great achievement
for getting a Bennie Briscoe award because he was a world class
fighter, a world class champion coming out of Philly. I’d like to
thank John DiSanto (Editor PhillyBoxingHistory.com) for giving me
that opportunity to get a Briscoe Award. I feel as though it ain’t
gonna be my last, I guarantee you that.”
“I
felt great, everybody saw a difference in me when I was sparring.
They was like damn, you got better when you was out there. My jab
got better. I just like to put on a show as much as I can and I
like to perform in Philly as much as I can and please the fans.”
as
middleweight so he will likely be overmatched from a size
perspective. Hayes has several notable losses including to Robert
Allen at middleweight in 2001, Jaidon Codrington at Super
Middleweight in 2007, and Robert Stieglitz in 2007 at Light
Heavyweight. 
Jennings
who was giving up twenty four pounds often seemed to be the bigger
and stronger fighter. Jennings is heavily muscled and used his
strength to bully Byarm inside. 
Both
fighters should be commended for having the guts to take a risk and
put their undefeated records on the line for a shot at gaining
exposure and experience. In a day and age of boxing where the
undefeated record is so valued neither fighter hesitated to jump at
this opportunity. Several other fighters turned down the fight for
that reason, but Jennings and Byarm relished the chance to compete
in a TV headliner and test themselves against solid opposition even
though neither had ever gone past six rounds thus far. 
In
the final bout before the TV coverage Philadelphia’s “The New” Ray
Robinson passed a tough test by scoring a unanimous decision by
scores of 79-73 and 78-74 twice in the welterweight eight rounder.
Robinson 13-2 (5 KO) had to deal with the tough and stubborn Doel
Carrasquillo all night but showed he had the superior skill to
handle the challenge. 
tough
moments to dominate the majority of the action. Robinson landed
punches at will, especially a sneaky left uppercut from the southpaw
that carried him to the wide victory. 
In
the opening bout Naim Nelson turned in his best performance as a pro
so far taking the unanimous decision by scores of 40-36 on all three
cards over Pedro Andres 0-1. Nelson forced the action backing
Andres up with hard straight rights and left hooks. Nelson of
Philadelphia stunned Andres of Bridgeton, NJ several times but was
not able to finish it. Still, an impressive performance from Nelson
who seems to get better each time in the ring. The four rounder was
in the junior welterweight division. 
The
dominance continued in round four with Rosado constantly moving
forward to push Soto-Karass out of his normal aggressive style and
forcing him into a defensive retreat. By the end of the round
Soto-Karass had been stunned several times, the left side of his
face was swollen and bruised, and he looked ready to go. Rosado had
thoroughly dominated every second of the round and was on his way to
backing up his words with actions. 
“This
performance, everything that we been through, it paid off today.
Today I think I showed I’m a new and improved fighter. I’m a
different animal than what I used to do. I was so anxious, looking
forward to showing that to people. I wanted to make that statement
that this guy’s a different animal.” 
“I
want to show I’m ready for the top guys at 54. We’ve grown a lot as
time went along. I’m a fighter that works on my craft. I’ve been
in five training camps with Bernard Hopkins and I’ve stole a lot of
things from Bernard. I know what it takes.”
In
the co-main event undefeated lightweight Angel Ocasio 6-0 (1 KO)
takes on his best opponent so far in a six round bout vs. Jason Sosa
4-1-1 (1 KO). Ocasio is from North Philadelphia and Sosa is from
nearby Camden, NJ so both should have their share of crowd support.
Sosa is 4-0 against fighters from Philadelphia with his one loss
coming by first round knockout against Treysean Wiggins of New York.
for rugged
serious fighters. At any point from open to close you will find
some of the best boxers in the city of Philadelphia including Steve
Cunningham, Yusaf Mack, Hank Lundy, and Dhafir Smith to name a few.
Sports
Network. In addition it marks Chambers first bout in his adopted
hometown of Philadelphia since October of 2008. 
Chambers came in shortly after
we arrived and after some shadowboxing hit the ring for his sparring
action. Chambers was impressive showing off his speed that gives
him the name “Fast Eddie”. He is far cry from the heavyweight of
several years ago that was weighing close to 220lbs. Chambers now
sports a much leaner physique of around 205lbs. He admits he may be
small for the division but knows this is his best fighting
condition. The lighter frame results in a fighter that is faster on
his feet and uses more lateral movement.