At the MET Friday night on Broad Street in Philadelphia Hard Hitting Promotions promoter Will Ruiz and matchmaker Manny Rivera put on eight bouts with some of the most promising boxers today.
In the Main Event Welterweight Malik “Ice Man” Hawkins, 15-0 (7), of Baltimore, MD, defeated Andre “Thunder” Byrd, 7-7-2 (1), of Jacksonville, FL, over 8 rounds for the vacant NBA Americas title.
In the first two rounds the taller Hawkins used his jab while the smaller Byrd did his most work inside to the body in a close round with too many clinches. In the third round Byrd landed a 3-punch combination to the body and head of Hawkins. Not much action.
In the fourth round Byrd started it off with a lead right to the chin of Hawkins. Hawkins got warned for hitting on the break by Referee Benjy Esteves, Jr. Hawkins landed a solid left hook to the chin but was countered by a right to the chin by Byrd. The fans were getting restless.
In the fifth round there were too many clinches with Hawkins landing the better of the punches. In the sixth round Hawkins landed a good left hook to the chin of Byrd. Hawkins landed a body shot hurting Byrd.
In the seventh round a right on the beltline from Hawkins dropped Byrd to his knees. Byrd came in low and grabbed Hawkins by the waist since being dropped.
In the eighth and final round Byrd landed an overhand right to the chin of Hawkins. Byrd landed a lead right to the chin of Hawkins.
Scores were Jasper 78-74, Frisca and Weisfeld 80-71 with this writer having it 76-75.
Co-feature NBA champion Branden “The Gift” Pizarro, 14-1-1 (7), of North Philly Badlands, and southpaw PA champion “Trigger” Tre’Sean Wiggins, 11-4-2 (6), of Newburgh, NY, boxed to a 8 round draw.
In the first round Wiggins used a good jab while Pizarro went mostly to the body. Close round. In the second round both fighters were warned for fouls by Referee Gary Rosato. Near the end of the round Pizarro turned southpaw and rocked Wiggins with a straight left on the chin.
In the third round Pizarro landed a flurry of punches to the chin of Wiggins. Pizarro landed a lead right to the chin of Wiggins. In the fourth round Wiggins landed a lead left to the chin of Pizarro. Pizarro landed a combination to the head having Wiggins backed into a corner.
In the fifth round Wiggins used an effective jab. Pizarro rocked Wiggins near the end of the right with a combination to the chin. It’s been a “cat and mouse” fight up to this point. Wiggins landed a solid left to the chin of Pizarro.
In the sixth round Wiggins caught a ducking Pizarro with a pair of lefts on the head. It was another close round between a pair of quick handed boxers. In the seventh round Wiggins landed a pair of solid lefts to the chin of Pizarro seconds apart. Wiggins landed a lead left and a following right to the chin of Pizarro. Pizarro ended the round with a lead right on the chin of Wiggins.
In the eighth and final round Pizarro warned for hitting behind the head by Referee Rosato. Pizarro drove Wiggins against the ropes with a combination to the head. Pizarro landed the final punch a right on the chin of Wiggins.
Scores were 76-76 by Frisca, McNair and Weisfeld and this writer. Referee was Gary Rosato.
Gadwin “Abayarde” Rosa, 10-1 (8), of PR and Ocala, FL, lost his title to slick southpaw Sulaiman Segawa, 12-2 (4), of Uganda and Silver Springs, MD, over 8 rounds for the NBA intercontinental Super Featherweight Title.
In the first round Rosa landed a left hook that was countered by southpaw Segawa’s right hook both on the chin. Segawa landed a flurry of punches to the chin of Rosa in the final 30 seconds.
In the second round Segawa landed a double right hook to the chin of Rosa. The southpaw stance seems to bother Rosa. In the third round Segawa landed a double right hook to the body of Rosa. Both fighters worked the body for the most part of the second half of the round.
In the fourth round Segawa landed a right hook to the chin of Rosa. Segawa landed half a dozen punches without return. Segawa landed a 3-punch combination to the chin of Rosa. In the fifth round with his hands to his side and against the ropes Segawa countered almost at will with right uppercuts.
In the sixth round Rosa continues to press the action but walks into punch after punch. Rosa got in a lead right to the chin of the elusive counter punching Segawa. In the seventh round after a minute Segawa landed a hard right uppercut to the chin of Rosa. Rosa landed a right to the head and a left hook to the body of Segawa. Segawa was very slick and good on defense and offense.
In the eighth and final round Segawa continues landing uppercuts from both hands. A right uppercut from Segawa on the chin knocked Rosa’s head back.
Scores were 79-73 by both McNair and Weisfeld while Jasper had it 80-72 along with this writer.
Heavyweight Darmani Rock, 15-0 (10), of Uptown Philadelphia, impressed in stopping “Concrete” Mike Bissett, 15-12-1 (9), of Tampa, FL, at 2:20 of the second round of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the first round after a little feeling out Rock landed a powerful left hook to the chin of Bissett dropping him. After referee Rosato’s 8 count Bissett was up. While against the ropes Rock landed a 3-punch combination on the chin dropping Bissett for the second 8 count.
In the second round Bissett landed a 3-punch combination to the body of Rock. A right on top of the head from Rock dropped Bissett who claimed it was behind the head. A right from Rock seconds after the first knockdown on the chin and down went Bissett. Referee Rosato immediately waved it off.
Super Featherweight puncher Christian Tapia, 9-0 (8), of Coamo, PR, stopped game Lightweight Raul “El Ciclon” Chirino, 13-11 (8), of Miami, FL, at 2:25 of the third round of a scheduled 6 rounds. It was the fifth win in Philly for Tapia.
In the first round both fighters fought on even terms up until the final minute when Tapia rocked Chirino with a left hook on the chin.
In the second round Tapia was warned a second time by referee Esteves about hitting behind the head. Tapia landed a pair of rights to the chin dropping Chirino for an 8 count. Chirino got up throwing punches until he again got rocked with a right from Tapia. Tapia warned a third time for hitting behind the head. In the final seconds of the round a Tapia right cross knocked out the mouthpiece of Chirino out of the ring dropping him for an 8 count from referee Esteves.
In the third round a short right on the chin from Tapia dropped Chirino to a knee. Tapia jumped on Chirino having him out on his feet as referee Esteves wisely stepped in as Chirino dropped to a knee but got up.
Light Heavyweight Bennie “Jewish Bulldog” Sinakin, 4-0 (2), of South Philadelphia, came off the canvas to defeat a game Patrick Pierre, 3-7 (1), of New Orleans, LA, over 4 action rounds.
In the first round Sinakin drove Pierre against the ropes with a flurry of punches seconds into the round. Sinakin rocked Pierre with a combination to the chin. He did a little showboating and again rocked Pierre with a combination but got countered with a right on the chin. In the final seconds of the round Sinakin twice rocked Pierre with right hands on the chin.
In the second round Pierre dropped Sinakin with a lead right on the chin. Referee Rosato gave him the 8 count. Sinakin was up and went after Pierre landing body shots. They exchanged rights to the chin in the final minute of the round.
In the third round Sinakin drove Pierre across the ring with a right on the chin but in running over to him got hit with a right uppercut on the chin. In the final ten seconds Sinakin landed a left hook on the chin of Pierre.
In the fourth and final round Sinakin came right out and landed a lead right on the chin of Pierre. Seconds later Sinakin landed a double left hook to the chin. Sinakin rocked Pierre with a left hook on the chin. Pierre came back with a right on the chin. Sinakin landed a lead right uppercut on the chin. Both fighters let it all hang out in the final ten seconds.
Scores were Frisca 38-37, Weisfeld and McNair 38-36 with this writer having it 38-37.
Bantamweight Josue “The Flash” Rosa, 2-0 (1), of North Philadelphia, impressed stopping Lucky Holt, 0-4 (0), of Hannibal, MI, at 0:45 of the first round in a scheduled 4 rounds.
Welterweight Thyler “The Black Mamba” Williams, 2-0 (2), of Philadelphia, stopped Abidiel Padilla, 1-2 (1), of Arecibo, PR at 1:46 of the third round of a scheduled four rounds.
In the first round Williams chased Padilla for half a round. Padilla landed a left hook to the chin. Williams backed Padilla against the ropes landing a flurry of punches. Near the end of the round Williams again backed Padilla against the ropes landing half a dozen punches rocking him.
In the second round Williams landed several body shots but got countered with a right from Padilla. A minute later the same thing happened. Williams landed nine punches before Padilla countered with a right on the chin. In the last ten seconds Williams landed four body shots at the bell.
In the third round Padilla landed a right on the chin and got countered with a hard left hook on the chin knocking him back several steps. Williams dropped Padilla with a flurry of body and head shots in a neutral corner. Referee Gary Rosato gave him the 8 count. Upon rising Williams was all over Padilla
Hard Hitting will return to the MET on June 28th!
Ring Announcer was Mark Fratto.