Mansour Wins Over Kauffman and Cintron Draws with Grayton!
By: Ken Hissner
At the Santander Arena, in Reading, PA, Friday night Premier Boxing Champions, Kings Promotions and Corona Extra over Bounce TV put on a major heavyweight fight Friday night.
Heavyweight southpaw Amir “Hardcore” Mansour, 23-2-1 (16), of Wilmington, DE, won a majority decision over Travis “My Time” Kauffman, 31-2 (23), of Reading, PA, over 12 rounds for the USNBC and PA State Titles.
After four rounds it looked even and by the sixth both fighters seemed to have slowed down. Mansour complained on at least three occasions of low blows and referee Shawn Clark would have none of it. Kauffman fought most of the fight southpaw trying to offset the southpaw advantage of Mansour. Down the stretch Mansour seemed to have more left in the tank taking the last two rounds and the fight.
Judge Steve Weisfeld had it 114-114, Anthony Mundy 117-11 and Mike Somma and this writer 115-113 for the winner. Whether this showing on both parts is enough to get back into the ratings is questionable.
Former IBF welterweight champion Kermit “El Asesino” Cintron, 39-5-3 (30), of Reading, PA, and David “Day Day” Grayton, 15-1-1 (11), Wash, DC, fought to a majority draw after 5 rounds. An accidental butt opened a cut over Cintron’s right eye and he couldn’t continue so they went to the scorecards.
Judges had it 49-46 for Cintron and 47-47 twice. This writer had it 48-46 for Grayton based on a knockdown. Grayton turned it into a brawl and Cintron tried to counter him but couldn’t keep him from rushing in and bullying him to the ropes.
It was an ugly fight and referee Gary Rosato had his hands full trying to keep the two apart throughout. Cintron seemed fortunate to get a draw considering he was down once.
Former 2-time IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, 29-8-1 (13), of Philadelphia, won an easy decision over Felipe “El Indio” Romero, 19-12-1 (13), from Baja, MEX, over 6 rounds of a scheduled 8 round bout. This was to get the rust off of Cunningham who returned to the ring after 11 months. His manager Al Haymon promises Cunningham a title fight while all four cruiserweight champions are from out of the US.
Judges had it 60-54 as did this writer. Referee was Rosato.
Super welterweight Chordale Booker, 6-0 (3), of Brooklyn, NY, won a 6 round decision over Moshea Aleem, 4-1-1 (2), of VA.
It was Booker coming forward and Aleem loading up and being outworked. All 3 judges had it 59-55 while this writer had it 57-57. Referee was Clark.
Super featherweight Chris Colbert, 6-0 (2), of Brooklyn, NY, won a decision over tough Wilfredo Garriga, 3-5-1 (2), of Juana Diaz, PR, over 6 rounds.
Colbert did more moving and jabbing than anything while Garriga tried to make a fight of it but the judges didn’t see it that way. All 3 had it 60-54 while this writer had it 57-57. The fans were not happy with the performance of Colbert. Referee was Clark.
Super welterweight southpaw Erik Spring, 9-1-2 (1), of Reading, PA, decisioned Jeremiah Wiggins, 10-5-1 (5), of Newport News, VA, over 6 rounds.
Spring used his reach advantage well and was willing to mix it up when necessary. Judges had it 60-53 as did this writer and 59-54 twice. Referee was Dali.
Middleweight Nicholas Hernandez, 6-2 (1), of Lebanon, PA, won a hard fought decision over Nick Valliere, 5-2 (2), of Forked River, NJ, over 6 rounds.
This was a swing bout and no decision was announced but referee Rosato raised the hand of Hernandez whom seemed fortunate to get the decision.
Super lightweight Kashon Hutchinson, 2-2 (1), of Reading, PA, did more posing than fighting allowing Darius“I Am King” Ervin, 4-1 (0), of L.A., walk away with the decision over 4 rounds.
Judges had it 39-37 twice and 38-38 as did this writer.
Super lightweight Matt Quirindongo, 1-0 (0), of Reading, PA, won a decision over Weusi Johnson, 2-3 (0), of Wilmington, DE, over 4 rounds.
Quirindongo scored a knockdown and was too strong for Johnson who showed little power in both hands. Referee was Dali.
Two judges had it 40-35 as did this writer and one judge 40-36.
Super lightweight Jesus Perez, 2-0 (1), of Reading, PA, decisioned Titos Matthew Gosalves, 0-1 (0), of Lancaster, PA, over 4 rounds.
A knockdown seemed to be the difference with all 3 judges scoring it 39-36. This writer gave Gosalves a 10-8 round offsetting the knockdown calling it 37-37.
