By: Ken Hissner
The vacant USA New Jersey State Super Middleweight Title was at stake as Atlantic City’s Antowyan “The Ice Man” Aikens, 13-5-1 (1), lost to Atlantic City’s Decarlo “3mendo” Perez, 17-6-1 (5), over 8 rounds of exciting action with both boxers hitting the canvas.
In the first round Aikens controlled with his jab. In the second round Perez rocked Aikens with a right to the chin knocking him back several steps. Aikens mainly used his jab. In the fourth round Aikens landed a right to the chin of Perez dropping him. He beat the count of 8 by Referee Earl Brown.
In the fifth round Perez was all over Aikens making him hold. The fans were going wild! Aikens came back but mostly held on until the bell. In the sixth round Perez was on the attack. What seemed like a glancing left hook from Perez hit the top of the head of Aikens dropping him to the canvas. He beat the 8 count of Referee Brown. He was able to get through the round. In the seventh round both were mixing it up well. Perez landed a lead right to the head of Aikens just prior to the bell and doing enough to take the round. In the eighth and final round Perez landed a pair of right’s to the chin of Aikens. They both fought furiously to the bell knowing the round may be needed to win the title.
Scores were Lawrence Layton 75-74, James Kinney 77-72 and Al Benett 76-74 as did this writer have it.
In the co-feature Welterweight southpaw John Bauza, 11-0 (5), of North Bergen continued unbeaten easily defeated Rashad Bogar, 4-8-1 (2), of Newark, NJ, over 6 rounds.
In the first round Bauza boxed well landing a double right hook to the body and to the head of Bogar. It was all Bauza. In the second round Bauza continued countering Bogar who would rush in but get hit. It was another big round for Bauza though Bogar never backed off.
In the fourth round Bogar went to throw a right but Bauza beat him to the punch with a left to the chin dropping Bogar. He beat the count of Referee Harvey Dock. In the fifth round Bogar recovered well from the previous round though Bauza continued to win the round. In the sixth and final round Bauza landed a hard overhand left on the chin of Bogar. Though Bauza seemed to take every round Bogar hung in there to the end.
All 3 judges, Atkins, Lundy and Bennett along with this writer had it 60-53. Referee was Harvey Dock.
Making a successful debut Lightweight Isaiah Hart, 1-0 (1), of Atlantic City, stopped “Dangerous” Dillan Kasprzak, 0-2 of Philly, at 0:16 of the second round of a scheduled 4.
In the first round Hart landed a solid right to the chin of Kasprzak stunning him. Hart landed a short right followed by a left hook to the chin of Kasprzak dropping him just prior to the end of the round. Referee Ricky Vera continued his count to 8. In the second round Hart hurt Kasprzak with a right to the chin having him against the ropes as Referee Ricky Vera wisely called a halt. Long time AC top trainer Bill Johnson worked Hart’s corner.
Middleweight Ryan Wilczak, 7-0 (3), of Scranton, PA, defeated Alberto Delgado, 0-4 of Roanoke, VA, over 4 rounds.
In the opening round Wilczak was having his way with little offense from Delgado. He used a jab prior to throwing his right. At the final 10 seconds of the round Delgado finally landed several punches. In the second round Delgado was coming forward but getting countered by Wilczak. Halfway through the round Delgado landed a right to the chin of Wilczak. With Delgado walking in low Wilczak landed an uppercut to the chin just prior to the bell.
In the third round with Delgado pressing the action Wilczak was using a right uppercut to the chin. Wilczak wasn’t using the jab as much this round but throwing lead rights. In the fourth and final round Delgado landed a good left hook to the chin of Wilczak. This was the most competitive round of the fight.
Scores were Atkins 39-37, Lundy 39-37 and Bennett 40-36 as did this writer. Earl Brown was the referee.
In the opening bout in a war Light heavy Tahlik Taylor, 3-12-1 (1), of Greensboro, NC, was stopped by southpaw Travis Toledo, 2-0 (1), of Baltimore, MD, at 2:02 of the second round of a scheduled 4.
In the first round both fighters slugged it out from the bell. In the final minute Toledo was stunned by Taylor but came right back landing right hooks to the chin of Taylor. In the second round Toledo had had Taylor pinned in a corner hurting him and finally dropping him with a left hook. Taylor got up and as Toledo stepped in Taylor hit him with a uppercut to the chin. Toledo again dropped Taylor with a combination. Referee Harvey Dock wisely waved it off.
Middleweight southpaw Omar Salem, 4-0 (1), of Brooklyn, NY, stopped Mike “Top Notch” Anderson, 0-3 of Philly, who didn’t come out for the second round.
In the first round Salem had Anderson on the defense with a good body attack. Salem hurt Anderson going mostly to the body and then the head. Anderson could not come out for the second round. The Referee was Harvey Dock.
Lightweight Nahir Albright, 4-1 (1), of Philly, easily defeated southpaw Glenford “Stallion” Nickey, Jr., 4-2 (1), of Brooklyn, NY, over 4 rounds.
In the opening round the taller Albright had Nickey rocked several times with lead rights to the chin. Nickey switches back and forth from southpaw to orthodox. In the second round Albright continued to land lead rights to the chin as Nickey did quite a bit of holding. Nickey landed the final punch of the round an overhand right to the head of Albright at the bell.
In the third round Albright landed a solid right to the chin of Nickey driving him into the ropes. Nickey charged in getting caught with a Albright right uppercut to the chin just prior to the end of the round. In the fourth and final round Albright was looking to finish off Nickey landing combinations as Nickey was holding in order to survive for the most part.
Scores were Atkins and Lundy 40-36, Bennett 40-35. This writer 40-36. The referee was Ricky Vera.
Lightweight Jahmal Dyer, 6-1 (4), of Baltimore, MD, stopped southpaw Marcos Lugo, 0-2, of Vineland, NJ, at 1:29 of the fourth and final round.
In the opening round both boxers fought on even terms. With about 15 seconds to go a left hook from Dyer to the chin of Lugo dropped him. He beat the count of referee Ricky Vera and got through the round seconds later. In the second round both fighters let it all hang out until a right from Dyer on the chin drove Lugo against the ropes. Lugo came back but Dyer was landing lead rights against the southpaw Lugo.
In the third round Lugo came out firing knowing with the knockdown in the first he’s behind. Considering the vast differences in their records Lugo fights on even terms for the most part. Dyer landed a solid left hook to the chin of Lugo who came right back with a right hook to the chin of Dyer of his own. In the fourth and final round a lead right from Dyer on the chin of Lugo dropped him when his gloves touched the canvas. Referee Vera gave him the 8 count. Shortly seconds later the towel from the corner of Lugo came flying in the ring as referee Vera got between the boxers grabbing Lugo stopping the bout.
Super Bantamweight Ry’Shine “Freak Boy” Collins, 1-0 (1), of Philly, destroyed Lucky Holt, 0-3 (0), of Hannibal, MO, at 0:51 of the first round of a scheduled 4.
In the opening round Collins landed a solid left hook to the chin of Holt. Collins swarmed all over the much smaller Holt dropping him with referee Harvey Dock immediately waving it off.
Welterweight Steve “Illest” Moore, 1-5 (1), of Orange, NJ, lost a hard fought bout to southpaw Kashon “Left Handed Bandit” Hutchinson, 4-5 (1), of Reading, PA, over 4 rounds.
In the opening round Hutchinson drove Moore into a corner. By middle of the round Hutchinson had Moore grabbing. Hutchinson was out landing Moore. In the second round both boxers were working hard with Hutchinson the southpaw again edging Moore.
In the third round Moore had Hutchinson against the ropes until the latter spun out. Moore landed a solid left hook to the chin of Hutchinson who is boxing with his hands to his side. In the fourth and final round Hutchinson had Moore hurt from a left to the chin. Moore was coming forward with the fight up for grabs but walking into punches from Hutchinson. It was an action bout.
Scores were Atkins 39-37, Lundy 40-36 and Bennett 39-37 as did this writer. Earl Brown was the referee.
Philadelphia Welterweight Greg “Lil Greg” Jackson, was awarded the WBF belt when his opponent was a no show. Rising Star Promotions will be returning to the Showboat on November 3rd. All in all it was a crowd pleasing event.