By Ken Hissner: At the 2300 Arena in South Philly on Saturday, Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions in the Main Event, Philly’s local favorite Super Bantamweight Christian Carto won a close decision over Argentina’s Hector “La Maquinita” Sosa before a nearly sold out crowd.
In the Main Event Super Bantam Christian Carto, 20-1 (13), #121, of Philadelphia, PA, defeated Hector “La Maquinita” Sosa, 14-2 (8), #120.8, of Junin, Bueno Aires, ARG, over eight competitive rounds.
In the first two rounds, Sosa started out fast, with Carto taking over the second half of the rounds. In the third round, it was Sosa outworking Carto though getting rocked in the final seconds of the round by Carto with a right on the chin.
In the fourth round’s final seconds, both were landing punches up until the bell. In the fifth round, Carto was warned by Referee Eric Dali for using his forearm and pushing Sosa down when he came in low.
In the sixth and seventh rounds, Sosa was out landing Carto, who backed himself against the ropes too often.
In the eighth and final round, Carto was warned for the third time about pushing Sosa down and spent too much time moving and not fighting enough. In Carto’s corner was top Philly trainer-teacher Derek “Bozy” Ennis.
The scores seemed lopsided by the officials in favor of the local favorite Carto with 77-75, 78-74, and 79-73. This writer had it 77-75 Carto in a hard-fought fight.
Super Light Ken Robles, 10-2 (3), #141.3, of Staten Island, NY, defeated southpaw Jerome “The Conqueror” Conquest, 11-8 (1), #139.4, of North Philadelphia, PA, when after four rounds Conquest couldn’t continue due to a leg injury in a scheduled eight rounds.
In the first two rounds, southpaw Conquest used his reach, taking close rounds from the aggressive Robles. In the third round, Robles came back to take the round by a narrow margin. In the fourth round, Robes hit Conquest with a body shot from a right, and suddenly Conquest dropped to the canvas forcing Referee Eric Dali to give him an 8-count. Upon rising, Conquest was limping badly as if he had a cramp in his leg. He barely got through the round when his corner waved it off.
Super Light Quadir “Savage C4” Albright, 6-1 (6), #144.7, of Chester, PA, suffered his first defeat being stopped by Roberto Gomez, 5-1 (5), #143.4, of Mexico City, MEX, at 1:59 of the fifth round of an all-action fight in a scheduled six rounds.
In the first round, Albright used his reach boxing well enough to take the round. In the second round, the shorter Gomez got inside, outworking Albright. In the fourth round, Gomez started fast through the first half, landing on the chin of Albright quite a bit, but Albright came back in the final minute in an all-action round.
In the fifth round, the action continued back and forth, with Gomez getting under the jab of Albright, rocking him with overhand rights on numerous occasions, and knocking his head back. In the final minute, Gomez landed a thunderous right on the chin, and down went Albright into the ropes. Referee Shawn Clark counted him out as he struggled to get to his feet.
Heavyweight “King” Colby Madison, 10-4-2 (6), #236.2, of Baltimore, MD, was knocked out by Junior “Hurricane” Wright, 19-4-1 (14), #219.4, of Evanston, IL, at 0:27 of round two of a scheduled six rounds.
In the first round, the taller Madison used an effective jab against the two-time world challenger Wright. In the second round’s final seconds, Wright finished strong, rocking Madison with a left hook to the chin in the latter’s corner.
In the third round, Wright came storming out, backing Madison back into his corner, landing a wicked right on the chin, and down went Madison for the count from Referee Eric Dali.
In the semi-windup local favorite Light Heavy southpaw Atif Oberlton, 7-0 65), #174.7, of Philadelphia, PA, knocked out Christian “Tiger” Thomas, 11-1 (9), #177, of Las Vegas, NV, at 2:24 of the second round of a scheduled six rounds.
In the first round, the much taller southpaw Oberlton stalked and had his jab in the face of Thomas the entire round with hardly a punch returned by the 37-year-old Thomas, who looked every bit of his age.
In the second round, Oberlton opened up, landing a left on the chin, driving Thomas across the ring and down to the canvas for the full count from Referee Shawn Clark. Thomas has a padded record against losing record opponents.
Welter southpaw Kashon Hutchinson, 10-5 (2), #148, of Reading, PA, defeated Rasheed Johnson, 8-5 (3), #148, of Willow Grove, PA, over six rounds.
In the first two rounds, the southpaw Hutchinson was the aggressor having an edge over the taller Johnson, outworking him. In the third and fourth rounds, referee Shawn Clark had his work cut out for him, separating the boxers too much.
In the sixth and final round, Johnson finally picked up the pace but too little too late.
Judge Weisfeld, Rubenstein, and Morgan 58-56, as did this writer.
Super Welter James “No Gain” Martin, 9-3 (1), #153.4, of Philadelphia, PA, easily defeated Alejandro Munera, 6-7-4 (5), #149.8, of Medellin, COL, over six rounds.
In the first five rounds, Martin pinned Munera against the ropes with mostly body shots for the entire round. In the sixth and final round, Martin rocked Munera with a right on the chin halfway through the round, the best punch of the night.
Referee Eric Dali
Ring announcer Mark Fratto
FIGHT NIGHT LIVE