Welterweight southpaw Mykal “The Professor” Fox made his first appearance at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia Friday night! The busiest promoter in the state King’s Promotions – Marshall Kauffman presented a seven bout card with one of the worst decisions of the year in the co-feature with Pllana taking Henderson to school for the entire 8 rounds to get a “welcome to Philly draw”.
Welterweight southpaw Mykal “The Professor” Fox, 22-1 (5), from Upper Marlboro, MD, defeated John Arellano, 10-2 (9), out of Conroe, TX, over 8 rounds.
In the first round the taller southpaw Fox used his jab with Arellano coming forward. In the second round Fox moving around the ring landed a left to the body but got countered by a combination to the chin by Arellano. A lot of movement but little landing of punches.
In the third round Fox in backing up fell into the ropes. Arellano didn’t take advantage of it. Arellano had problems cutting the ring off in a lackluster round. In the fourth round after a minute Fox landed his best punch a left on the chin of Arellano. In the fifth round Arellano missed a punch and fell to the canvas with referee Dali calling it a knockdown.
In the sixth round at the halfway point both flurried with body shots. Each round was similiar to the first. In the seventh round near the end of the first minute Fox landed a solid left on the chin of Arellano. Fox landed a right hook followed by a left to the chin of Arellano in the final seconds of the round.
In the eighth and final round Arellano was stalking Fox knowing he needed a knockout and was walking into punches of the ever moving Fox.
Scofes were Morgan 78-73 with Rubenstein and Friscia 79-72. This writer had it 78-73.
In the co-feature Super Middleweight Kelvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson, 12-0-1 (8), #167 1/2, of Fayetteville, ARK, was lucky to get a majority draw with Albanian Genc Pllana, 7-1-1 (4), #168 1/4, out of Hagerstown, MD, pitching a shutout over 8 rounds.
In the first round Henderson started with a right to the chin and was countered with a left hook from Pllana on the chin. In the final seconds of the round Pllana took the round with a flurry of punches to the body and head. In the second round Pllana throwing punches in bunches. In the final twenty seconds a war erupted with Pllana get the best of it after Henderson landed a pair of rights on the chin.
In the third round with his left hanging to his side Pllana landed three punches to the body. With a minute left in the round Pllana caught Henderson with a looping right on the chin. In the final seconds of the round each fighter landed rights on the chin.
In the fourth round both were exchanging jabs. Halfway thru the round Henderson landed a right to the chin and got countered with a combination on the chin from Pllana. With half a minute left in the round Pllana landed a left uppercut on the chin of Henderson.
In the fifth round after half a minute Pllana landed a counter right on the chin of Henderson. Inside the final minute Pllana landed a left hook to the chin. Seconds later landed a combination to the chin of Henderson. In the final seconds Henderson landed a right on the chin but was countered by a Pllana combination on the chin.
In the sixth round Pllana continued moving around the ring picking Henderson apart. In the final minute Pllana landed a solid sweeping left to the chin of the frustrated Henderson. In the final seconds of the round Pllana landed three body shots on Henderson.
In the seventh round Pllana landed a right cross ove a Henderson jab on the chin. With a minute gone a jab from Henderson knocked Pllana back several steps almost against the ropes. In the final minute Pllana landed a lead right to the body of Henderson. The round ended with both swinging wild punches.
In the eighth and final round Pllana continued to outbox Henderson who couldn’t get untracked.
Scores were Morgan 79-73, of Pllana, Friscia and Page 76-76. This writer had it 80-72 for Pllana. Friscia and Page should go to the optometrist after this one.
No. 10 ranked WBC contender Bantamweight Marcus “Dream Crusher” Bates, 11-1-1 (8), #121 3/4, out of DC, defeated Francisco Pedroza, 13-10-2 (7), #122 1/4, of Baja, CA, MEX, over 8 rounds scoring a knockdown.
In the first round Pedroza was forcing what little action to start out and being the taller of the two. In the second round little action continued until Bates landed a left hook on the chin of Pedroza. In the third round it was half over when Bates landed a combination to the chin of Pedroza. Pedroza turned southpaw for half a round until the last twenty seconds. Bates ended the round with a solid combination to the chin of Pedroza.
In the fourth round near the end of the first minute Bates landed a combination to the body and head of Pedroza. A lot of moving but little landing from both. In the fifth round it was halfway thru when Pedroza landed a combination to the chin of Pedroza . In the seventh round Pedroza went to southpaw and when he turned back to orthdox got caught with a solid left hook on the chin from Bates.
In the eighth and final round with two minutes left in the round Bates landed a vicious left hook on the chin and down went Pedroza for an 8 count by referee Dali. In the last minute Pedroza was running around to get to the final bell.
Scores were Page 78-73, Morgan and Rubenstein 80-71 with this writer having it 78-73.
“I think it was a good performance.” Then asked about moving up to 10 rounds he said “I have to go back to the gym and see what happens”.
Featherweight southpaw Martino “Titan” Jules, 8-0-1, #129 4/4, out of Allentown, PA, defeated Eric “Baby Face Assassin” Manriquez, 7-10-1 (3), #129 1/4, of Houston, TX, scoring a pair of knockdowns over 6 rounds.
In the first two rounds Jules pressed the action and was the taller of the two. It was all Jules in the round. In the third round a right hook and followed by a left both on the chin from Jules and down went Manriquez for an 8 count by referee Shawn Clark. Manriquez managed to get thru the round as Jules tried to finish him off.
In the fourth round Jules continued outworking a game Manriquez who wasn’t backing up. In the final thirty seconds Jules landed a glancing left off the top of the head of Manriquez moving him back several steps.
In the fifth round Jules continued to have Manriquez on the defense. On a break from referee Clark Manriquez was warned for landing a left hook. With half a minute left in the round Jules threw a right on the side of the head followed by a left to the chin as Manriquez went down Jules following thru leaped over his fallen opponent who received the 8 count from referee Clark. Manriquez again managed to get thru the round.
Scores were 59-53 by Morgan while Rubenstein and Friscia saw it 60-52 as did this writer.
When asked if he is coming into his power having now scored his second straight win Jules said “yes, I am more relaxed at this point.” In the corner for Jules was Indio Rodriguez.
Trenton’s welterweight Shinard Bunch, 5-1 (4), #147 1/4, out of Camden, NJ, defeated Vincente Morales, 3-5-2 (2), #150 1/2, out of Matamoros, MEX, over 6 rounds.
In the first round half a minute went by when Bunch landed a solid right cross on the chin of Morales. The taller Bunch controlled the round but Morales was in the fight. In the second round Bunch landed a rolid right cross to the chin of Morales. Seconds later Morales came back with a combination on the chin of Bunch. Bunch narrowly took the round.
In the third round Bunch had his way though Morales was right in his face. Bunch landed a right cross to the chin while Morales countered with a left hook on the chin. The action slowed down in this round. In the fourth round Morales came out firing landing a solid left hook on the chin of Bunch halfway thru the first minute. With a little over a minute left in the round Bunch landed a solid right to the chin of Morales but failed to follow-up. Morales was into the fight this round though Bunch seemed to have an narrow edge.
In the fifth round after close to a minute gone Morales landed a looping right on the chin of Bunch. Seconds later Bunch rocked Morales with a left hook on the chin. It was give and take in the round. In the sixth and final round halfway thru the first minute Morales landed his best punch of the night a solid right to the chin of Bunch who was able to counter with a left hook to the chin. The action picked up in this the final round with Morales chasing Bunch knowing he needs a knockout to win. Dali was the referee.
Scores were Page 60-54, Rubenstein 59-55 and Friscia 58-56 as did this writer see it.
Lightweight southpaw Shamar Fulton Banks, 4-1-1 (3), out of West Phila., was stopped by southpaw Tyrome “Sweet Pea” Jones, 5-6-1 (2), out of South Bend, IND, at 2:10 of the second round in a scheduled 6.
In the first round there was little to choose with little amount of punches landed by the pair of southpaws with jones forcing the fight. In the second round near the end of the first minute Jones landed a left uppercut on the chin as Fulton was ducking. Halfway thru the round Jones dropped Fulton with a short right on the chin. He took the 8 count from referee Clark. Jones immediately went for the finish having Fulton defenseless against the ropes when referee Clark wisely halted the bout.
Super Middleweight Devar “The Warrior” Ferhadi, 8-0 (7), #170 1/4, of KRZ, now out of Frederick, MD, halted Vincent “Cato” Baccas, 4-1-1 (3), #167 1/4, out of Okmulgee, OK, at 1:45 of the fifth round in a 6 rounder.
In the first round Ferhadi pressed the action. With about 40 secinds to go in the round both fighters had their first exchange. Round to Ferhadi. In the second round halfway thru the first minute Ferhadi landed a solid right to the chin of Baccas.
In the third round Baccas landed his best punch up to this point a right to the chin of Ferhadi. Seconds later Ferhadi landed a right on the chin of Baccas driving him several steps back. In the fourth round after fifteen seconds Ferhadi rocked Baccas with a solid right on the chin. In the final minute of the round Ferhadi started to go to the body of Baccas. Ferhadi had Baccas in a neutral corner in the final seconds but got countered with a left hook on the chin and Baccas moving out of the corner at the bell.
In the fifth round half a minute into it a short right hand from Ferhadi on the chin dropped Baccas to a knee. He took the 8 count from referee Eric Dali. Ferhadi landed half a dozen unanswered punches to the body and head forcing referee Dali to call a halt.
“I just finished medical school. I had walked the streets of Philadelphia and felt at home. I look forward to coming back,” said Ferhadi. Marc Abrams is the interviewer after the matches.
Mark Fratto was the ring announcer. Fred Blumstein the timekeeper.
King’s will keep up their busy schedule on December 14th at the Zenbo Shrine in Harrisburg, PA.