By Joe Kulyeshie
July 5, 2006 – Wednesday Night Fights is live from the City Auditorium in Colorado Springs, CO. Light middleweight Neil Sinclair takes on Jerome Ellis in the main event. Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas are ringside.
Let’s head out to the Rocky Mountains!
Fight 1
Light Middleweights – David Medina (10-1, 5 KO) vs. Charles Blake (8-6-1, 3 KO) – 10 rounds for the WBC United States Super Welterweight Title
Set-up: Prospect David Medina has won 10 in a row after dropping his first fight. On the other hand, Charles Blake has lost 4 of his last 5, though he has faced the better competition. Is this as big a mismatch as it seems on paper?
Round 1
A Medina right lands as Blake tries to throw a slow left early on. A monster right knocks Blake OUT two minutes in. No way he’s getting back up.
Medina KO over Blake
There were concerns over whether Blake was safe to fight in this one. He had a +4 rating on the Boxing Severity Index. Anything +3 or more is bad. By comparison, Medina’s rating is -1. Neurological tests before the fight were acceptable, so the commission let Blake fight. Obviously the wrong decision. Medina has yet to be challenged during his winning streak. Medina was definitely the better boxer as he dominated Blake, it will be intersting to watch him as he continues to raise the level of competition.
Joe and Teddy discuss the controversial Urango decision over Ben Rabah last Friday. Teddy still believes Ben Rabah was robbed. Urango (hopefully) was given the decision because he was seemingly more aggressive as he came forward the entire fight. However, he was ineffective as he was not able to cleanly land any punches or stop Ben Rabah from countering and moving away. Both Joe and Teddy agree it was an ugly fight.
Fight 2
Light Middleweights – Marvin Cordova, Jr. (10-0, 6 KO) vs. Darrelle Sukerow (13-14-1, 5 KO) – 6 rounds
Set-up: Local Colorado prospect Cordova who has padded his record with soft opponents fought in his backyard makes his television debut. Sukerow took the fight on 2 days notice after just fighting a week ago. No way this can turn out good, is there?
Round 1
There’s a clash of heads about a minute in, but no visible damage to either fighter. Cordova lands a jab, right, left combo and down goes Sukerow. Sukerow is in no rush ot get up and is counted out.
Cordova KO over Sukerow
Sukerow collects a paycheck and Cordova gets another KO victory added to his record. I guess everyone is happy except those of us who had to watch it.
Teddy and Joe discuss the Pacquiao-Larios fight held in the Philippines over the weekend. After a slow start, Pacquiao controlled the end of the fight and scored a deserved decision. Next up for Pacquiao is a rematch against Morales in November. Teddy would like the commission to check Morales over carefuly as he thinks he is not physically going to be able to fight and could get seriously hurt. Atlas predicts a knockout victory for Pacquiao who is now one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Since the addition of Freddy Roach, Pacquiao has added a jab to his powerful left and has become a more complete fighter. The only thing that can stop Pacquiao now is himself–he must not get carried away with his own fame and success.
Fight 3
Super Middleweights – Carlos DeLeon, Jr. (13-1-2, 10 KO) vs. Oscar Montano (2-5-1, 1 KO) – 6 rounds
Set-up: DeLeon is the son of former cruiserweight World Champion Carlos “Sugar” DeLeon. Montano is the naturally bigger man. You can see what’s coming…
Round 1
A game Montano comes out throwing punches. Unfortunately they’re a little wide, a little slow and rarely connect. DeLeon counters and catches Montano with the bigger punches. DeLeon wins the round (10-9), but Montano gets the moral victory of making it through the first round.
Round 2
DeLeon comes out very defensively the first minute. As soon as DeLeon becomes aggressive he staggers Montano with a left hook to the head and knocks him down with a flurry against the ropes. Montano gets back up only to be knocked out by a right to the head followed by a left hook to the body. Montano has the wind knocked out of him and kicks at the referee while down to get him to stop the fight.
DeLeon KO over Montano
Another mismatch on paper proves itself in the ring. DeLeon showed good defense and crisp powerful punches.
“This a knockdown with a real kick to it.” – Teddy Atlas during replay after seeing Montano was not seriously hurt.
Teddy and Joe discuss the upcoming Spinks-Karmazin fight. Teddy predicts a late round stoppage or strong decision for the “awkwardly clever” Karmazin.
Fight 4 – Main Event
Light Middleweights – Neil Sinclair (28-4, 22 KO) vs. Jerome Ellis (10-4-1, 9 KO) – 10 rounds
Set-up: Ireland’s Sinclair has fought for a world title though he has been off for well over the last year, and has only fought 5 times in 5 years. He is a good, offensive fighter who has more and better experience than Ellis. However, Sinclair has been fighting cut problems and is fighting for the first time in the US. Ellis is an improving fighter who is a little longer and quicker. Ellis took the fight on short notice. Will Sinclair’s experience be too much for Ellis, or will Ellis’ recent activity and newfound confidence take the day?
Round 1
Ellis darts in, tries to land and moves out. This goes on most of the round. Who is gets the better of it? Teddy seems to think Ellis is fairly effective, but I believe Sinclair is landing more during these quick exchanges. Close round to Sinclair (10-9).
Round 2
Ellis begins jumping in from really far away, throwing a punch, then jumping back again. Somehow he is landing just about everytime he does this. Round easily to Ellis (19-19).
Round 3
Ellis not coming in as quick or as often. Sinclair is consistently catching him now. Big round for Sinclair who seems to have settled down and landed several nice combinations throughout the round (29-28).
Round 4
Ellis lands a nice body shot about halfway through the round. Close round is broken open in the last minute as a glancing punch must have hurt Ellis who runs for much of the final minute. Round to Sinclair (39-37).
Round 5
An exciting round where both fighters are throwing and landing most of their punches. Ellis loses his mouthpiece with a minute to go and ends what was a great two minutes of action. Ellis landed more often, though Sinclair might have landed the cleaner punches. Round to Ellis (47-48). Teddy scores the round even, so he has it 49-47 Sinclair.
Round 6
Ellis lands a low blow 1:40 in. About 30 seconds later he crumples Sinclair with a cupping right hand to the back of the ribs near the kidney. Sinclair is in much pain and does not get up. Wow, that was out of nowhere.
Ellis KO over Sinclair
The surprise knockout ended what was an entertaining fight while it lasted. Ellis was quicker, but unorthodox and ultra-confident that he could dart in and out without getting hurt. Sinclair was technically sound and seemed to be gaining control of the match as he shook off the ring rust when a funny punch sent him down.
Fight 5
Female Strawweights – Chantel Cordova (3-0, 3 KO) vs. Unity Young (0-1) – 4 rounds
Set-up: Cordova is the sister of Marvin Cordova who fought earlier in the show. Young is cannon fodder for Cordova. Looks like another mismatch.
Round 1
Oh my, Young is hopping around throwing slapping punches. She is not ready to be in the ring professionally. Her corner throws in the towel before she gets hurt.
Cordova TKO over Young
Teddy goes into a long rant against the handlers and trainers of Young who allowed her to step in the ring as unprepared as she was.
“This does not help the cause of women’s boxing.” – Teddy Atlas
The women’s fight might was the appropriate ending to a night of mismatches that ruined what was a fun main event.