Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend
“Take it to The Bank” Webster Captures a Unanimous Decision
Seldon dominates in Co-Feature.
By: Danny Serratelli, Ringside
Atlantic City, New Jersey – Super middleweight Derrick Webster, 26-1, 13 KO’s won a 10-round unanimous decision over Oscar Riojas, 16-10-1, 5 KO’s in the main event of a five-bout card at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mis Downing Promotions promoted the near-capacity show which helped kick of the 2nd annual Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame weekend.
The 6’4 inch Glassboro, New Jersey product tried to use his reach behind a stiff jab for most of the night, while the game and durable Riojas tried to get to Webster without much success. After the bout, Webster explained, “It was boxing in there. I put on a display. Roy Jones told me to keep him long, and that’s what I did. I started the bodywork a little late, but the jab was my key. I could have done a little more with the body, but the jab was everything tonight.”
Webster continued, “In the 1st round, I hit him with a big right hand, but the bell saved him. I hit him good a couple more times. Some guys know how to survive, and he is one of them. We have been talking to the USBA about fighting for their title. That will get me to where I need to be. I am ready for a world title shot. I have been putting it out there that I would like to fight George Groves or Tyron Zuege. I will go to China or Germany or wherever to fight those guys.”
Webster has showed in the past and this evening that he can be dominant at times, however he needs to stay consistent round to round, fight to fight and stay active. Riojas who fights out of Monterey, Mexico showed that he comes to fight and he is very tough to get out of there. Despite the fact that all three of the official judges had him losing by scores of 100-90 he was competitive at times in the fight but just seemed to lack the necessary fire power to turn the tide at any point in the fight. Webster captured the American Continental Americas title with the victory and said he is ready for a big step up in opposition, then the 35-year old needs an opportunity and when he gets it, he needs to seize it and prove that he belongs in there with the top fighters in the 168 pound division.
In the co-feature of the evening, Isiah Seldon, 12-1-1, 4 KO’s scored two knockdowns on his way to a 6-round unanimous decision victory over Lamar Harris, 9-15-4, 5 KO’s in an entertaining super-middleweight bout. In the end the scores were, 60-52 twice and 59-53 for Seldon. Seldon comes to fight and kept the fight entertaining the whole way. Seldon’s father, former heavyweight champion, Bruce “The Atlantic City Express” Seldon in being inducted this weekend into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.
Prince Badi Ajamu, 29-4-1, 15 KO’s who is still competing and showing that it is possible at 46-years old won an eight-round unanimous decision over Edgar Perez, 7-25, 3 KO’s in a cruiserweight rematch. Ajamu of Camden, New Jersey won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73. Ajamu dropped a decision 12 years ago to all time great Roy Jones Jr. who was in the house supporting Derrick Webster and for the Atlantic CIty Boxing Hall of Fame.
James Wilkins, 4-0, 4 KO’s stopped Joe Gbola, 3-3-2, at the end of the 2nd round of their scheduled 4-round featherweight bout. Wilkins dropped Gbolo midway through the 2nd round and the bout was stopped in the corner before the start of the 3rd. Wilkins of Brooklyn, NY is 4-0 with 4 knockouts. Gbolo of Newbergh, NY is 3-3-2.
In the opening bout of the evening, Felix Manzueta, 2-0, 2 KO’s of Dover, Delaware stopped Antonio Allen, 0-8-1, in round 2 of a scheduled 4-round welterweight bout.
The card took place on Atlantic City Hall of Fame weekend, and stars such as Roy Jones Jr., Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield, Bruce Seldon, Mark Breland, Marlon Starling, Michael Spinks and Jeff Chandler were among the dignitaries that were sitting ringside.