By: Dave Ruff
Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster, 26-1 defeated Oscar Riojas, 16-10-1, over 10 lackluster rounds Friday night at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, on a Mis Downing Promotion.
Webster called out the two WBA champions and wants a USBA title bout. Webster isn’t rated in any of the WBA, WBC, WBO or IBF and No. 44 in the IBO so unless he gets rated there will be no world title bout for him.
Webster is No. 3 in the USBA with Philadelphia’s Jesse “Hollywood” Hart, 27-1 holding that title. They were once both managed by Doc Nowicki and Dave Price at the same time. It’s doubtful they will ever meet because neither wants to fight the other. Hart defeated Webster twice in the amateurs and is looking for an opponent in August in Atlantic City. Webster should contact Top Rank who is promoting and put his name in the hat.
Beating club fighters like Riojas will not get Webster ranked. He has to step up sooner or later. Hart also has the NABF belt and Webster is not in their ratings.
In the co-feature Atlantic City’s Isiah Seldon, 12-1-1 and defeated Lamar Harris, 9-15-4, of St. Louis. In his previous fight Harris fought Webster. This is why Webster isn’t ranked fighting the club fighters like Harris. Seldon is a wild swinger but can excite the crowd. 60-52 twice and 59-53 were the scores over 6 rounds.
Prince Badi Ajamu, 29-4-1, of Camden, NJ, got back in the win column defeating Edgar Perez, 7-25, of Chicago, IL, over 8 rounds, 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 46 year old Ajamu is up there in age and defeated Perez last August.
Brooklyn’s James Wilkins, 4-0, won his 4th straight by stoppage over Joe Gbola, 3-3-2, of Newbergh, NY, who couldn’t come out for the third round.
In the opening bout Felix Manzueta, 2-0, of Dover, DE, stopped Antonio Allen, 0-8-1, of Philadelphia in the second round.
The show didn’t start until 9:30 and was over past midnight. Seemed the gloves were not there so it cost a big delay in the starting time.