Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights” has been a staple in the New York boxing scene since its inception in 2011. Eight years later, the acclaimed fight series is continuing to thrive, proven by last night’s electric atmosphere, and thrilling fights.
In the main event, TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES (Elmont, NY now 11-0 8KO’s) brought the fight to the Oklahoma native, DENNIS “THE PAWNEE EXPRESS” KNIFECHIEF (Shawnee, OK now 12-11-1 5KO’s) in the scheduled 8-round super welterweight bout. James wasted no time in taking control of the fought, as just five punches into the first round, he dropped Knifechief with a three-punch combination. To Knifechief’s credit, he got off the canvas, and continued to fight. However, the next four rounds would be more of the same, as James lived up to his promise of showing flash, speed and power. Finally, 28 seconds into the fifth round, referee Tony Chiarantano had seen enough and stopped the action.
James had this to say about his first main event victory, “It was a great fight. The opponent [Knifechief] was tough as nails. I’m happy I was able to get rounds in and I hope I made the crowd proud with my 5th KO in the row. ”
In the co-feature bout, Dominican Republic rising star, and #24 world rated bantamweight, JUNIOR “BOMBITA” ALMONTE (Dominican Republic, now 13-0 9KO’s) defended his WBC FECARBOX Bantamweight title against amateur standout, ERNESTO GARZA III (Saginaw, MI now 10-3 6KO’s). If you missed this fight, we highly suggest you catch up by watching it, HERE. This fight had fight of the year excitement, written all over it and it lived up to expectations. Almonte and Garza traded absolute bombs for eight straight rounds. Both men were sharp and in excellent condition, and took turns demonstrating their power and speed. Almonte scored a knockdown in the 4th round, but Garza, would not allow it to faze him, jumping right back into the action-packed fight. Both fighters left every ounce of themselves in the ring. After the eight heated and crowd-pleasing rounds, the undefeated Almonte retained his title, winning a unanimous decision. (78-73 (x2), 77-74)
Almonte had this to say about his US debut, “I knew it was going to be a tough. Mexicans are warriors, plus I had never fought a southpaw before. I’m just glad that I was able to showcase my skill in the USA. People are going to remember the name ‘Bombita’ for a long time”
If you thought that you were in a soccer stadium, during the ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS (Bellport, NY now 4-0 1KO) vs DEO KIZITO (Silver Springs, MD by way of Uganda, now 3-4 2KO’s), we understand why. Chants, songs and cheers broke out from the masses at The Paramount, rooting on Long Island favorite, and New York Golden Glove champion, Alex Vargas. Vargas displayed great speed in his combinations throughout the four-round fight and Kizito exhibited a great ability to give and take. At the end of the four rounds, Vargas earned the unanimous decision victory. (40-36 (x3))
Alex Vargas said this about his fourth consecutive win, “It felt great to be back in the ring again after 7 months. It was exciting to be fighting in my hometown of Long Island and getting a win”
In the opening bout of the evening, New York Police Department (32nd Precinct) officer, EMMAUNEL ETIENNE (Uniondale, NY now 1-0 1KO) took on CHARLES JOHNSON (Upper Marlboro, MD now 1-4 1KO) in his pro-debut over a four-round cruiserweight bout. Etienne controlled the action for much of the fight showing impressive speed and movement for a Cruiserweight. Attacking both the head and body, Etienne left Johnson on unsteady legs more than one time during the fight. In the third-round, Etienne closed in on Johnson, bearing down with flush body to head combinations, causing the referee to stop the action, 35 seconds into the third round, earning the TKO victory in his pro-debut.
Emmanuel said this about his epic night, “It was a surreal experience, jumping on the ropes after the win is something you see in the movies are in your dream but to actually experience it is crazy. Your hard work will pay off”
Star Boxing, CEO JOE DEGUARDIA said this about last night’s fights, “What a thrilling night of fights at The Paramount. This fight series has truly brought fight fans some of the best fights and fighters in New York, and last night, Junior Almonte and Ernesto Garza may have brought the fight of the year. Tyrone James once again showed his skill, and why he is on the path to becoming the newest bright star of the Paramount. Be sure to get your tickets now for our next Paramount event (November 23) ”
Petr Petrov Scores Second Round Stoppage Friday Night From Ontario, CA
Lightweight contender Petr Petrov (41-6-2, 22 KOs) disposed of the overmatched Dedrick Bell (23-31-1, 11 KOs) in two rounds during Thompson Boxing’s “Locked n’ Loaded” main event on Friday night.
Petrov jumped on Bell from the outset, punching him into the ropes and peppering him with left hooks to the body. Bell did his best to work himself out of trouble, but Petrov was far too skilled for the Tennessee native.
Petrov, who lives in Spain but is of Russian heritage, sensed a knockout in the second round. He rocked Bell with several strong shots and a left hook to the midsection did him in at the 2:48 mark.
On the year, Petrov has three knockout wins with all of them coming inside of three rounds.
Petrov is promoted by Banner Promotions.
In the lopsided co-feature, Mario Hernandez (10-1-1, 3 KOs) thoroughly outpointed the taller Jesse Ruiz (6-4-2, 5 KOs) to win by unanimous decision. Hernandez went to the body early and often throughout the six-round fight.
In the third, Hernandez landed several combinations that staggered Ruiz. Despite a six-inch height advantage, Ruiz was unable to dictate tempo or brush back the hard charging Hernandez. Scores: 60-54 all around.
Featherweights Isaac Zarate (16-5-4, 2 KOs) and Roberto Meza (12-2-1, 6 KOs) fought to a split draw as neither boxer was able to pull away to earn a convincing win.
The fight featured choppy and inconsistent action, which led to odd scoring by the judges. One judge had Zarate sweeping the fight at 60-64, while another scored it closely for Meza at 58-56. The third judge had it even at 57-57.
Featherweight Aleem Jumakhonov (8-2-2, 4 KOs) outpunched the previously unbeaten Anthony Chavez (8-1, 3 KOs) to win by unanimous decision. Jumakhonov struck pay dirt in the second when a counter right hand dropped Chavez.
Both fighters showed tremendous grit and tenacity, as most of the fight took place in close quarters with each boxer throwing heavy shots throughout the eight-round fight. Scores: 59-54, 58-55, 57-56.
In the “Locked n’ Loaded” show opener, featherweight Arnold Dinong (6-0, 1 KO) used an active work rate to earn a unanimous decision win over Prisco Marquez (4-2-1, 1 KO).
While Dinong isn’t the heaviest of punchers, he does possess sound technical skills that allow him to fight effectively from the outside. Scores: 59-55, 60-54 twice.
“Locked n’ Loaded” was presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.
Salamov, Idigov and Davtaev Successfully Defend Championships
in Grozny
Last Thursday night, September 19, at the Uvais Akhtaev Sports Palace in Grozny, Russia, WBO #4-, IBF #6- and WBA #10-rated light heavyweight Umar Salamov successfully defended his WBO International Championship with an impressive TKO 3 over Ghana’s Emmanuel Danso.
Fighting in front of his hometown fans, Salamov (24-1, 18 KOs) was too much for the shorter Danso (now 31-5, 28 KOs) and dropped him three times with perfectly timed right hands in round three. The fight was waved off at 2:44.
Two other Salita Promotions’ Russian fighters were victorious on the undercard as well.
Another hometown hero, WBO #8-rated super middleweight Aslambek Idigov (17-0, 7 KOs) overcame a strong start from Slovakian challenger Robert Racz (21-2, 19 KOs) to pull out a unanimous 10-round decision and successfully defend his WBO and IBF European Championships.
Racz had some moments early on, but the world-class conditioning and superior skills of Idigov allowed him to take over as the rounds went by, eventually winning by scores of 98-94, 97-93, and 98-92.
Kurchaloi, Russia’s heavyweight crusher Apti Davtaev (18-0-1, 17 KOs) successfully defended his WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental title for the first time by demolishing American opponent Daniel Martz (18-8-1, 15 KOs) in just 69 seconds of the first round.
Showing the size and power that make him a force to be reckoned with on the heavyweight landscape, Davtaev went straight at Martz who could only turn his head to avoid the double sledgehammers flying his way.
Martz was down three times in the brief but brutal affair.
“All three fighters are closing in on world championship fights,” said their promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “They are all clearly a step above domestic-level competition and have developed into serious threats to any world champion they will all eventually face. Tireless hard work and total dedication make the difference in tough tests like these and all three passed with flying colors.”
Banner Promotions Fighters Turn in Solid Performances Over the Weekend
This past Friday night, three members of the Banner Promotions stable were in action and had impressive performances.
In Midland, Texas lightweight Michael Ducthover (13-1, 10 KOs) took on Thomas Mattice in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation that was televised Live on SHOWTIME.
Dutchover took the fight to Mattice and was up on two of the three judges scorecards as the bout entered the eighth round.
In that round, Dutchover was cut over the left eye. The cut was ruled from a punch, but instant replays were inconclusive on how the cut occurred, and Mattice was ruled the winner of the bout.
Dutchover was ahead 69-64, 68-65 while Mattice was ahead on one card 67-66.
“It was a great fight. Mattice is a warrior, but the fight was going my way,” said Dutchover. “My body punches and uppercuts were working well, and I stunned him in the 6th round. It was a good performance and I had the fight won.”
On the punch the allegedly stopped the fight, Dutchover did not know how the cut was opened. “They said I got with a punch, and I guess that’s boxing. I don’t know if it was a punch and I don’t know if it was a headbutt. I just know that I started bleeding. I was good, but the doctor stopped the fight. The thing that disappointed me was that they did not let my cutman Andrew Rodriguez work on it between rounds. In fact, after the fight was over, he worked on it for about 20 seconds, and the cut was under control.”
Dutchover showed great sportsmanship in defeat.
“I take my losses the same way I take my wins, but now I just can’t wait to get back in there. It says that I have a loss on paper, but with my performance, I feel that I won. I would take a rematch with him without hesitation. But as soon as I heal up, I would take that as the 1st fight back.”
The fight took place in front of a sold out crowd in Dutchover’s hometown for which SHOWTIME analyst’s said it was the loudest they heard a venue in many years.
“Midland supported this event, and I helped bring a major event here. It exceeded all expectations, the fans loved the fight, and they are already talking about bringing another event here.”
In the co-feature, world-ranked featherweight, Ruben Villa (17-0, 5 KOs) was very impressive in shutting out previously undefeated Enrique Vivas to retain the WBO International title.
Villa used a variety of punches throughout the fight which included a perfect two punch combination that dropped Vivas in round two, and Villa cruised to the victory by matching 100-89 scores on all cards.
“It was a pretty good performance. He was confident, but we had a good game-plan which we stuck to the whole fight, and I was smart about it what I wanted to do in there,” said Villa.
“We planned that he would be more aggressive. We know that feints and jabs would be key and they worked great. Once I landed the jab that was followed by a left hand in round that that dropped him, I saw him begin to lose his confidence.”
Villa was very satisfied with his performance in his 3rd appearance on ShoBox.
“If you consider the tough opponent, who came in undefeated and combine it that I scored a knockdown and won all the rounds, I would say it was my best performance to date.”
Villa is very confident that major opportunities are on the horizon.
“I am going to take a couple of weeks off, and then get right back in the gym. I am hopeful that by middle of next year I will get my world title opportunity.”
In Ontario, California, two-time world title challenger Petr Petrov registered his 3rd stoppage victory of the year as he stopped Dedrick Bell in the 2nd round of their main event at The Doubletree Hotel.
Petrov dominated the action, and stopped Bell with a body shot at 2:48.
With the win, Petrov (41-6-2, 22 KOs) will look for a major opportunity, which could include a world title shot with a particular interest in fighting newly crowned WBC Interim lightweight champion Devin Haney.
“I am very proud of Michael, Ruben and Petr,” said Artie Pelullo, President of Banner Promotions. “Michael was ahead in the fight that ended because of a situation where no one has clearly seen a punch. If the referee would have declared it a headbutt, Michael would have won the fight as he was ahead on two the cards. It’s just bad luck. Michael is 21 years-old and he is terrific young fighter. It is just a bump in the road. Ruben was outstanding, and he keeps showing us he is on his way to a world title. He took on an undefeated fighter who was promoted by Mikey Garcia’s company. Mikey knows talent. Ruben won every round, and he is proving why he is one of the best at 126 pounds in the world. Once again Petr showed that he is a true professional as he has been active, and has three straight knockouts. A big fight is in his near future.”
Dutchover and Villa are co-promoted by Thompson Boxing.