Boxing returned to Scranton, PA at the Steam Town Mall Friday with Long Productions in association with North East Boxing with Doug Long and Chris Coyne doing the promotion “Thunder & Lightning” in a pro-am show. Rene Aiken doing a fine job matchmaking. It was a SRO crowd! The fans loved the show and hope another is planned.
Cruiserweight Alvin “Iron Majik” Varmall, Jr. 10-0-1 (8), Catskill, NY, won a 6 round split decision over Willis Lockett, 14-18-5 (5 ),Takoma Park, MD.
In the opening round Varmall with a Tyson style easily took the round on a strong body attack. In the second round Varmall had Lockett against the ropes but Lockett fought back well. Near the end of the round Varmall hurt Locket with a combination to the chin. In round 3 it was a good battle with Lockett not backing up but Varmall had a strong finish.
In round 4 like in round 3 it was a tough inside battle with Varmall landing more punches. In round 5 Varmall was all over Lockett forcing him to hold on. In round 6 in the final round Varmall dropped Lockett head first under the ropes. Lockett was able to beat the count of referee Gary Rosato as the bell sounded.
Judge Bernard Bruni had it 57-56 for Lockett as Adam Fesechko and Jackie Castellani had it 60-53 for Varmall as did this writer.
In the co-main event middleweight Jimmy “The Pride of Scranton” Kelleher, 1-0 (1), of Scranton, PA, stopped Hacen Castillo, 0-1 (0), Orlando, FL, at 2:38 of the second round. Kelleher a standout amateur with 3 fighting brothers came in the ring with a green, orange and white top. One parent Catholic and the other Protestant? He had a large following for his debut.
In the opening round Kelleher dominated with a good jab and left hook. Near the end of the round Castillo landed a solid right to the chin but Kelleher countered with a combination. In the 2nd round Kelleher had Castillo against the ropes hurting him with solid rights to the head dropping him. Castillo on all fours barely beat the count and referee Rosato wisely called a halt and Castillo didn’t complain.
Super middleweight Ryan Wilczak, 1-0 (1), Scranton, stopped Demitris Williams, 0-1 (0), Philadelphia at 2:13 of the 2nd round.
In the opening round Wilczak dropped Williams with a right to the chin. Williams was up immediately. In the second round Wilczak dropped Williams with a right to the chin. Williams took the count on a knee as referee Rosato counted him out.
Super lightweight Daurie Aquino, 1-0 (0), of Pittston, PA, scored a close decision over Lamont White 0-1 (0), of Wash. DC, over 4 rounds.
In the opening round Aquino scored with a solid right to the chin of defensive minded White who skipped away out of Aquino’s reach. White had a style able to pull his head back making a lot of Aquino’s jabs fall short. In round 2 White came out southpaw mostly keeping Aquino at bay until the halfway mark of the round when Aquino finally landed a lead right to the chin of White getting his attention. What little punches that were landed were by Aquino. In round 3 White landed his best punch of the fight a lead left to the chin of Aquino that had him stunned and doing very little the rest of the round. In the 4th and final round it was all White who bloodied the nose of Aquino. The referee was Rosato.
Judge Bruni had it 40-36, Castellani 40-35 and Fesechko 39-37 while this writer had it 38-38 a draw.
In the main event Super middleweight Stephone Burgette, 5-2-1 (1), scored a solid 4 round decision over Euris Silverio, 0-2 (0), Orlando, FL.
In the opening round Burgette stalked Silverio having him against the ropes for the better part of the round. At the end of the round Silverio got the crowd upset raising his hands wanting for them to cheer him. In the second round Burgette used a solid body attack driving Silverio against the ropes. Silverio did much better in the middle of the ring in the final seconds of the round.
In round 3 both were taking turns landing combinations. Burgette took over at the halfway mark of the round while it was Silverio landing at the bell. In the 4th and final round Silverio made a fight of it but being out landed by Burgette in a good 4 rounds of boxing.
All 3 judges had it 40-36, as did this writer. Rosato was the referee.
Super bantamweight Raheem Robinson, 1-0 (1), Stroudsburg, PA, stopped Vinny Scaradino, 0-1 (0), Pittston, PA, at 0:15 of the second round. Rosto was the referee.
In the opening round Scardino came out strong until he ran into a right to the chin from Robinson for an 8 count. In the second round it was all Robinson who scored another knockdown forcing referee Rosato to wave it off. Scardino complained by had been outclassed.
Super welterweight Andy Gonzales, 3-0 (1), Worcester, MASS, stopped Joshua Cook, 0-1 (0), Newark, NJ, at 1:10 of the second round.
In the opening round Gonzalez dropped Cook with a left hook to the chin. In the second round Gonzales dropped Cook with a right uppercut to the chin. Gonzales swarmed all over Cook before referee Rosato wisely stopped it.
Cruiserweight Bryan Daniels, 1-0 (0) won a majority decision over Devaughn “The Dogg” Greenwood, 0-1-1 (0), over 4 rounds.
The first 2 rounds were close and in the 3rd round the taller southpaw Greenwood seemed to have an edge. In the 4th and final round Daniels seemed to take the round.
Judge Castellani had it 40-36, Fesechko 39-37 and Bruni 38-38 as did this writer.
There were 4 amateur bouts to start the night off. Officials were Jeff Jowett and Tom Brennan doing the judging. Bernard Bruni and Chris Walsh split duties as judge and referee.
The All Irish Boxing Club of Scranton had 3 of the 4 winners. In the opening bout Nelson Morales, Scranton, easily defeated Bhieem Bullups of Oxford, PA. Urias Quezado, Scranton, seemed lucky to pull out a win over Elias Ajuwa, of Oxford, PA. Bruni was ref for both.
Logan Munley, Scranton defeated Nusir Ruff of Oxford, PA. James Patterson, Freeland, PA, defeated Shawn McFadden, Scranton. Former world heavyweight champion “Terrible” Tim Witerspoon was in the corner of Patterson. Walsh was ref for both.