Hard Hitting Promotions – Will Ruiz, Matchmaker –Manny Rivera and PR Kurt Wolfheimer presented “PHILLY VS DALLAS” Saturday at Philly’s MET featuring Heavyweight Darmani Rock, of Philly and HH team undercard looking sensational with a boat load of talent!
In the Main Event Heavyweight Darmani Rock, 17-0 (12) #278, of Philly, easily stopped Maurenzo Smith, 21-12-4 (14), #274.4, of Dallas, TX, who couldn’t come out for the fourth round in a scheduled 8 rounds. The fans were not happy with the quitting by Smith after an outstanding undercard. After an exciting five straight good stoppages the night ended on a sour note due to Smith. There was a nice crowd despite co-feature boxer Derrick “Take It to The Bank” Webster not fighting due to his opponent coming in eight pounds overweight.
In the first round Rock used an effective jab the entire round with neither boxer throwing a right hand with Rock’s fans encouraging him to throw the right!
In the second round on three different occasions Rock landed rights to the body hurting the defensive minded Smith. In the third round Rock demoralized the enormous figure of a man in Smith to the point he couldn’t take anymore punishment.
Leading up to the main event after two decision bouts there were five straight stoppages with the usual excitement of Hard Hitting Promotions. They put on the best competitive fights in the city. Even though there were two bouts falling out the show went fast and furious a tribute to Will Ruiz and Manny Rivera.
In the co-feature Super Lightweight southpaw Jeremy “King” Cuevas, 12-1 (9), #139.2, of Philly, scored 4 knockdowns halting MN State champion Rondale Hubbert, 13-10-2 (8), #141, of Minneapolis, MN, at 1:46 of the fourth of a 6.
In the first round Cuevas was on the attack forcing Hubbert into a corner. Hubbert a crafty vet knew how to fight off the ropes and smiled several times after being hit showing Cuevas that his power was not much though losing the round.
In the second round Hubbert continued fighting with his hands to his side as Cuevas came out firing. Hubbert is very deceptive. Cuevas backed him into a corner with a flurry of punches until Hubbert punched his way out with a counter right on the chin. Cuevs landed a loud sounding overhand left to the side of Hubbert’s head to the delight of the fans. Nothing seems to bother Hubbert.
In the third round Cuevas landed a smashing left to the chin dropping Hubbert. Upon rising taking the 8 count of referee Benjy Esteves Jr Cuevas jumped on him dropping him a second time with a flurry of punches to the chin. Cuevas had Hubbert against the ropes looking to finish him but Hubbert fought back well. Cuevas dropped Hubbert a third time which usually stops a fight but referee Esteves allowed it to continue. He was examinined by the ring physician between rounds.
In the fourth round Cuevas continued landing straight lefts to the mid-section of Hubbert setting him up for a finish. A combination to the body and chin and down went Hubbert for a fourth time. Referee Esteves talked to him and stopped the onslaught. Cuevas looked sharp under trainer Angel Pizarro, Sr. and Papo Ocasio.
“I want to thank God and my family along with my trainer Angel (Pizarro). This is my comeback fight (lost his first time in his previous fight) and I am going right back in the gym. I appreciate my past trainer but am satisfied with my new team. Everyone knows I have the grit but am trying to use my head. He was a tough guy and slick not a guy coming in and laying down,” said Cuevas.
Super Featherweight Gadwin “Abayarde” Rosa, 11-1 (9), #130.2 of PR, out of Ocala, FL, former WBC Mundo Spanish champion destroyed Danny “El Venado” Flores, 15-18-1 (8), #139.2 , out of Mexico City, MEX, at 1:10 of the second round in a scheduled 6.
In the first round every punch Rosa lands has “bad intentions” on it. He works the body and then the head with such accuracy he gives his opponent no chance to counter. He had Flores hurt several times during the round.
In the second round Rosa continued teeing off on Flores who tried keeping close bent over when the referee Dali suddenly halted the fight to the displeasure of the fans who were enjoying the way Rosa breaks down a fighter. Flores was quite upset.
Super Featherweight Christian Tapia, 10-0 (9), #131, of Coamo PR, remained unbeaten with another knockout over Jorge Luis Santos, 7-9-1 (2), #129.4, of Monterrey, MEX, at 1:56 of the second round of a scheduled 6.
In the first round Tapia came out working the body of the bigger Santos then a right on the chin knocked out the mouthpiece. In the second round a left hook from Tapia spun Santos around. Tapia jumped on him hurting him to the body when a left hook to the body dropped him for the count of referee Benjy Esteves Jr.
Tapia knows how to set up his opponent with a body attack until they bring their guard down and he goes to the head like a rattler!
Light Heavyweight Bennie “Jewish Bulldog” Sinakin, 5-0 (3), #173.4, of South Philly, stopped Ferris Golden, 1-1 (0), #170.8, Findlay, OH, at 2:14 of the third of a scheduled 4.
In the first round Golden get in good punches throughout the round and had Sinakin on the defense. In the second round clinches continue for referee Dali. Sinakin finally landed a chopping right to the head and Golden came right back with a combination of his own. After each exchange they fell into a clinch. Sinakin landed the final punch of the round a right on the chin.
In the third round Golden hit on the break and got warned by referee Dali. Sinakin drove Golden into the ropes with a flurry of punches. Golden continued to hold. Sinakin rocked Golden with a left hook on the chin having him out on his feet causing referee Dali to call a halt.
“I work harder in the gym and am getting better. I want to thank the fans for coming out,” said Sinakin. After a losing first round he put a beating on Golden. Sinakin is a crowd favorite.
Welterweight southpaw Jan Carlos Rivera, 4-0 (4), #144.6, of PR out of Philly, stopped Ricardo “Verdugo” Escajeda, 4-16-1 (2), #149, out of Monterrey, MEX, at 1:43 of the first round of a scheduled 4 rounds.
In the first round Rivera came out like a tiger landing punch after punch dropping Escajeda with a straight left to the chin. Referee Esteves gave the 8-count. Rivera jumped on him with a flurry of punches until he dropped again. Barely beating the count referee Esteves wisely halted the mismatch.
Rivera is a prospect who several weeks ago beat up on veteran Hank Lundy in the gym who was preparing for a main event in DE which he won. Rivera is co-managed by veteran and the popular team of Moz Gonzalez and Eddie Woods who are back and with trainer Philly’s top teacher “Bozy Ennis”.
Bantamweight Alexandro “Alexander the Great” Jimenez, 5-0-1 (1), #118.8, of New Hope, PA, defeated Jerrod “The Golden” Minor, 1-8-2 (1), of North Philly, over 4 rounds keeping his unbeaten record.
In the first round, Minor came out southpaw switching to orthodox and back confusing Jimenez a bit. Jimenez got in several good shots to the body. Minor ended the round with a chopping right to the head of Jimenez.
In the second round Jimenez the shorter of the two landed a left hook to the chin. Half a minute later Minor rocked Jimenez with a right to the chin knocking him off balance. Jimenez pinned Minor in a corner landing three rights to the chin. Minor got out of the corner and got hit with another right on the chin from Jimenez.
In the third round Jimenez continued landing rights to the head of Minor when he was southpaw. In the fourth and final round Minor came out swinging until he ran into a Jimenez counter right on the chin. Minor kept loading up without pulling the trigger. Jimenez drove Minor against the ropes with a flurry at the bell. Referee Dali had an easy fight tonight.
Scores were Braslow and Morgan 39-37 while Rubinsets had it 40-36. This writer had it 39-37. Jimenez is trained by Mark Roxey ever since coming to the US.
Super Welterweight Saleem “Bad Dream” Kelly, 2-0 (1), #148.8, of Red Bank, NJ, impressively shut out Jordan “The Fox Iron Man” Rosario, 3-11 (0), #146.8 of Jersey City, NJ, over 4 rounds.
In the first round after a feeling out period both fighters opened up starting with Rosario. Kelly eventually countered him back. Good round for both. In the second round Kelly drove Rosario into a corner and put some heat on him before getting tied up. Kelly ended the round with a vicious left hook on the chin of Rosario at the bell.
In the third round Kelly continued backing Rosario against the ropes with left hooks to the body and chin. Kelly drove Rosario into a corner in the final thirty seconds with half a dozen unanswered punches including two hard rights to the chin.
In the fourth and final round Kelly once again drove Rosario into a corner and the seconds later against the ropes with vicious body shots. In the final minute it was Rosario putting Kelly against the ropes until a right hand from Kelly knocked him back several steps at the bell. It was a very impressive performance by Kelly in only his second fight.
Scores were Braslow, Lundy and Bruninets and did this writer 40-36.
Popular Light Heavyweight southpaw Derrick “Take it To the Bank” Webster was to fight co-feature tonight but his opponent Francisco Castro came in eight pounds over the contract weight. Webster told him “you are a professional so when you knew you had to make weight but couldn’t why didn’t you contact the matchmaker or promoter so they could get a substitute in?”
Being a tall southpaw who can make 168 or 175 Webster has problems getting opponents. He moved up to 175 for this show hoping it would be easier so what happens? A cruiserweight shows up.
Ring Announcer was the ever popular Mark Fratto seen many times on the tube. In the audience tonight was former top manager Moz Gonzalez with his beautiful wife before going back stage with his fighter. Singing the national anthem was sensational young Nicky Interi, son of top cut-man Joey Eye. Best Philly prospect unbeaten Jaron “Boots” Ennis at 24-0 (22) was introduced along with IBO World Super Bantamweight champion Stephen “Scooter” Fulton, 17-0 (8), who will be defending his title on January 18th hopefully in Philly and managed by Al Haymon.
Another great show by Hard Hitting Promotions.