Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing and J Russell Peltz’s Peltz Boxing over ESPN brought an eleven bout card to the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia, PA, Saturday night. The Main Event was a world title fight featuring WBC World Light Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr “Nails” Gvozeyk, of the UKR, out of Oxnard, CA, in his first defense against No. 8 ranked Doudou Ngumbu, of Congo and Toulouse, FR, before a packed house.
WBC World Light Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk, 16-0 (13), of UKR and Oxnad, CA, No. 8 ranked Doudou Ngumbu, 38-8 (14), of Congo and Toulouse, FR,
In the first round Gvozdyk did a bit more than Ngumbu feeling out one another. In the second round Ngumbu landed a combination to the body and started running. In the third round Ngumbu landed a combination and immediately tied up Gvozdyk who doesn’t seem to know how to cut the ring off.
In the fourth round Ngumbu warned twice for holding by referee Eric Dali. Gvozdyk landed several punches before Ngumbu started running again. In the fifth round all of a sudden Ngumbu limped away from Gvozdyk causing the referee to call in the ring physician. Since Ngumbu couldn’t continue Gvozdyk was given a TKO win.
In a IBF elimination bout Welterweight Kudratillo “The Punisher” Abdukakhorov, 16-0 (9), of Kugla Lampur, Malaysia, defeated Keita Obara, 20-4-1 (18), of Tokyo, JAP, over 12 rounds.
In the first round Obara countered a Abdukakhorov miss on the chin. Abdukakhorov landed a right cross to the chin halfway through the round. Obara was running from Abdukakhorov when he got hit with a left hook on the head. In the second round Abdukakhorov was pressing Obara with little contact between them. Obara had felt the power of Abdukakhorov and was only countering. Near the end of the round Obara ended the round with a lead right to the chin.
In the third round as Obara was moving away Adukakhorov landed a wide left hook to the head. Adukakhorov missed a left hook but followed with two more that landed on the body. Obara just prior to the bell landed a right on the chin. In the fourth round Abdukakhorov landed a short left hook to the chin. Obara has been on the move for the most part of the fight. At the bell Obara landed a right to the chin.
In the sixth round Obara landed a right uppercut to the chin. Near the end of the round Adukakhorov finally realized it’s time to go to the body landing several good shots.
In the seventh round both fighters landed combinations one right after the other to the head. Both fighters landed rights to the chin with Obara the counter. Obara landed a right to the chin. Near the end of the round Adukakhorov landed a right uppercut to the chin but was countered by a Obara right to the chin. In the eighth round Obara landed a lead right to the chin. Both fighters exchanged right uppercuts to the chin. Obara has been standing in front of his opponent more.
In the ninth round Obara countered a missed right with a right on the chin. Obara has been much better the past three rounds. In the tenth round Adukakhorov landed a solid right to the chin. Then missed with a right but followed with a hard left hook to the chin. Adukakhorov rocked Obara back into the ropes with a right to the chin but couldn’t follow up. At the end of the round it was Obara landing the last punch a right to the chin.
In the eleventh round Obara landed a right to the chin but was countered by a left hook to the chin. Both fighters exchanged right hands to the chin as the round ended. In the twelfth and final round it was Obara chasing Adukakhorov with the latter knowing the decision was in his favor.
Scores were 119-110, 117-111 and 115-113 with this writer 116-112. Adukakhorov has much potential.
Welterweight Christian “Solider” Mbill, 14-0 (13), of Cameroon and Montreal, CAN, defeated southpaw Humberto “Cachomito Betillo” Gutierrez, 33-87-2 (22), of Los Mochis, Sinola, MEX, over 8 rounds.
In the first round both fighters were going to the body with Mbill the aggressor. Mbill was warned twice for infractions by referee Esteves. In the second round Mbill warned for pulling down his opponents head. Mbill whose past fights have all been wins by knockout seems surprised his opponent is still standing and fighting back. For the fourth time Mbill was warned for pulling down his opponents head. He is getting frustrated though having Gutierrez against the ropes exchanging punches it had little effect.
In rounds three and four Mbill had Gutierrez against the ropes and landed more punches but too his share. In the fifth round Mbill has landed hard punches to the body with Guierrez hanging in there and moving away the last twenty seconds.
In the sixth round Mbill continued having his opponent on the ropes going to the body. Gutirrez finally slipped to the other side of the ring but faights well off the ropes. In the seventh round Gutirrez started moving around the ring instead of against the ropes. He took his share of punches but ended the round with three of his own. In the eighth and final round Mbill knew his knockout streat of 13 was coming to an end as Gutirrez moved away most of the time having fun.
Scores were 80-72 and 79-73 twice as did this writer.
Welterweight southpaw “The New” Ray Robinson, 24-3-1 (12), of Philadelphia, PA, was held to a disputed draw against two time Olympian Egidijus Kavaliaskas, 21-0-1 (17), of LITH and Oxnard, CA, for the NABF Title, over 10 rounds.
In the first round Robinson kept a constant jab in the face of the stalking Kavaliaskas who landed but one solid punch. In the second round Robinson continued boxing well with Kavaliaskas unable to cut off the ring.
In the third round Robinson continued boxing well landing a left lead on the chin. Kavaliaskas couldn’t seem to pull the trigger up to this point. Robinson landed a left to the body but was countered with a right on the chin. Kavaliaskas ended the round with a body shot. In the fourth round both fighters fans were chanting for their fighter. Robinson landed a right hook to the body and got countered with a body shot. Robinson continued to give Kavaliaskas a boxing lesson.
In the fifth round Kavaliaskas had a red nose from the number of jabs he took. Robinson did another masterful job of boxing the ever coming forward Kavaliaskas who only got in one combination to the body in the round.
In the sixth round Robinson landed a lead left to the chin. Robinson landed a double jab and count countered by a right on the chin from Kavaliaskas. Robinson kept boxing well keeping Kavaliaskas from landing any kind of offense. In the seventh round both fighters got into an exchange to start the round. Robinson kept up using his jab while Kavaliaskas only was able to land half a dozen punches in the entire round.
In the eighth round Kavaliaskas rocked Robinson with a right on the chin but was unable to follow up. Robinson landed a right hook to the chin. Kavaliaskas landed a solid right on the chin. Robinson ended the round with a straight left on the chin.
In the ninth round Robinson ducked under a right and countered with a left to the body. Robinson landed a solid right hook to the head of the incoming Kavaliaskas. Kavaliaskas landed a short right to the chin. In the tenth and final round Robinson landed a combination to the chin. He jabbed and jabbed not allowing Kavaliaskas to get off any kind of an offense.
Scores were Rose Lacend 97-93, David Braslow and Kevin Morgan 95-95 while this writer had it 99-91 for Robinson. A complete disgrace for the two judges to call it a draw.
In Robinsons corner was his father “Bozy” Ennis, Lawrence Malls, Philly’s next “franchise “Jaron “Boots” Ennis and cut man Joey Eye. Also at the end was his manager David McWater. When you get robbed in your hometown it is a sad day!
Super Welterweight Frerick “General Okumka” Lawson, 27-2 (21), of GH and Chicago, IL, was stopped by Juan “El Nino” Ruiz, 22-4 (13), of Tijuana, MEX, at 1:15 of the fourth round.
In the first round Ruiz chased Lawson landing three rights to the head. In the middle of the ring Ruiz landed three unanswered punches to the head. In the second round both boxers mosty used their jabs with Lawson seemingly getting frustrated having an opponent who stands up to him instead of the usual stiffs.
In the fourth round Lawson went down but it was ruled a slip by referee Rosato. When he got up he seemed unsteady when Ruiz jumped all over him until he was defenseless when referee Rosato called a halt.
Super Lightweight Jose “Chino” Lopez, 12-1 (10), of Humacao, PR, southpaw Askhat Ualikhanov, 4-2 (2), of KAZ, and Oxnard, CA,
In the first round Lopez was the aggressor and landed a dozen punches without return before Ualikhanov slipped off the ropes. In the second round Ualikhanov got back into the fight with some offense but not enough to take the round. In the third round Ualikhanov landed a good uppercut to the chin but was warned about a low punch next by referee Benjy Esteves, Jr. The round was close.
In the fourth round Ualikhanov received his second warning for a foul by referee Esteves. He received another warning for holding down the head of Lopez. At the ten second mark of the sixth round Lopez hurt Ualikhanov with a body shot. Lopez landed half a dozen unanswered punches. Lopez got a warning for holding down the head of his opponent. At the end of the round Lopez landed a good right to the mid-section hurting him. Ualikhanov walked back to his corner looking in pain. His corner didn’t allow him out for the seventh round.
Super Featherweight southpaw Donald “No Love” Smith, 9-0 (6), of Philadelphia, PA, knocked out Jose “Chore” Antonio Martinez, 11-18 (6), of MEX and Albuquerque, NM, at 2:01 of the fourth and final round.
In the first round Smith boxed well when he suddenly pushed Martinez to the canvas. Martinez upset started pressing Smith who continued to out box him. In the second round Smith landed a flurry of punches dropping Martinez. Upon rising from the 8 count of referee Esteves Smith jumped on him but backed off.
In the third round Martinez walked into a Smith right hook on the chin. Smith landed a double right hook to the body. Smith drove Martinez across the ring starting with a left uppercut to the chin following with several more punches. Smith ended the round with a flurry of punches knocking Martinez sideways at the bell.
In the fourth and final round Smith rocked Martinez with a right hook on the chin. Smith missed a left but landed a following right hook knocking Martinez into the ropes. Though outclassed, Martinez kept coming forward. Martinez walked into a left and was down for the count of referee Esteves.
Super Featherweight Joshafat Ortiz, 6-0 (4), of PR and Reading, PA, was impressive when he knocked out James Thomas, 6-5 (6), of Grand Rapids, MI, at 2:53 of the first round.
In the first round Thomas was warned for hitting behind the head by referee Dali. Oritz hurt Thomas with a right on the chin which made him come back fighting until hit by a right and left on the chin by Ortiz and down he went fo the count.
Opening the card Heavyweight Cassius Chaney, 16-0 (9), of New London, CT, stopped Christian “Bravo” Mariscal, 12-3 (5), of Tijuana, MEX, at 2:15 of the first round.
In the first round the first right hand Chaney threw knocked down Mariscal for a 9 count by referee Rosato. A minute later a chopping right hand dropped Mariscal again as referee Rosato at the count of 9 with Mariscal turning his back waved it off.
Heavyweight Sonny Conto, 2-0 (2), of South Philadelphia, PA, stopped Omar Acosta, 1-6 (1), of Hereford, TX, at 1:15 of the first round.
In the first round Conto landed half a dozen punches dropping Acosta. Referee Rosato wisely stopped it. Contu had many fans in the audience. His trainer is Mickey Rosati with cut-man Joey Eye in the corner as well who just had a birthday. It was announced Contu will be on the card of Tyson Fury’s next fight.
Super Bantamweight 18 year-old southpaw Jeremy Adorno, 1-0 (0), of PR and Allentown, PA, made his debut in a hard fought 4 rounder defeating a tough Sebastian Baltazar, 1-4 (0), of Guatemala and Tacoma, WA.
In the first round after much feeling out Adorno landed half a dozen unanswered punches on the much shorter Baltazar who had been pressing the fight up to that point. In the second round Baltazar rushed Adorno trying to lift him in the air. Adorno ended the round with a combination to the chin.
In the third round Baltazar landed a hard overhand right to the chin getting Adorno’s attention. The action was furious from the middle of the round until the end. Baltazar give away half a foot in height kept coming forward. In the fourth and final round Baltazar landed a hard left hook to the chin with Adorno returning punches. This was a good match for the young Adorno who is the brother of Joseph Adorno a very good prospect. Their father trains both.
Scores were 40-36 by all three judges and this writer but Baltazar made a pleasing impression on the fans for his determination.