by: Matthew N. Becher
Top Rank promotions has thrown its hat into the ring of the now very competitive network fight nights by showing boxing matches in association with Metro PCS and the TruTV channel.
Tonight they look to showcase two of their up and coming boxers,letting local boys headline the show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Former world champion and 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini will be the ringside analyst, on the 33rd anniversary of his first title win against Arturo Frias.
The co-feature will present “Irish” Seany Monaghan, as he looks to make his mark and possibly make his case for a title shot in the Light heavyweight division, bringing with him 300 loyal fans via bus from his home town of Long Beach, New York.
The Main event shows Glenn “Jersey Boy” Tapia. Tapia grew up just 15 minutes away in Passaic, New Jersey and was even able to sleep in his own bed after struggling to make weight yesterday afternoon. He looked to continue his winning ways, going 5-1 in his last 6 fights, with all five of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Seany Monaghan (23-0 15KO) vs. Cleiton Concecao (20-6-2 16KO) Light Heavyweight
Sean Monaghan came into tonight’s fight looking to make a statement and use this as a stepping stone towards a potential title shot against one of the two champions in the division. Cleiton Concecao came into the night with a decision to be made, win and continue on or lose and call it a career.
Monaghan came out throwing power shots fast and furious in the first few rounds. Concecao was forced to fight off of his back foot and was constantly moving backwards. Monaghan loaded up with a big overhand right that just could not land, and may have been timed if done precisely.
Concecao began to thrown the occasional punch, moving backwards as Monaghan moved forward, adding body shots and a jab, always stalking and still looking to land power shots. Concecao forced to fight moving back, but is able to put together some nice punches, causing a cut over Sean Monaghans right eye.
During the fourth round Monaghans power starts to take its toll on Concecao and Monaghan begins to cut off the ring quicker. Concecao is clinching and targeting the cut on Monaghans right eye
During the mid way point of the fight, Monaghan is still controlling the tempo, but Concecao begins to land more combos to the head and body. He is still moving backwards, but his punch count begins to increase. Concecao may not have much power left on his punches as the eighth round begins and he his rocked by a big Monaghan uppercut. The uppercut seemed to awaken Concecao who lands a flurry of punches.
Between the eighth and ninth rounds, Concecao’s corner tells their fighter he is down on the cards, especially being on Monaghans home turf. Concecao comes in quickly landing a flurry of punches, setting his own pace to the fight, and showing that Monaghan is tired.
Both fighters exchange power shots in the middle of the ring, Monaghan eye completely swollen shut. They go the last twenty seconds trading body shots. And it goes to the judges scorecards.
98-92, 98-92, 99-91 UD10 Sean Monaghan
Glen Tapia (23-1 15KO) vs. Frances Michel Soro(25-1-1 15KO) Jr. Middleweight
Tapia came out fast in the first round, using a good jab and setting up a good follow up right hand. Soro was cautious, trying to get his timing down, before exchanging with the heavy hitting Tapia.
Soro starts the second round putting together some good combinations, as Tapia sticks to using a jab. Soro begins to set the tempo with his own jab, and begins to add body shots into the mix.
Tapia seems to become frustrated, overthrowing his power punches. Soro counters very well and is able to protect himself just so, against Tapias power punches. Soro lands big head shots and Tapia does not cover up at all. Soro is the opposite, blocking all of Tapias power punches and countering.
Soro throws a crisp jab to start the fourth round, landing it and moving out. Tapia starts up his jab again, but gets countered with no defense. Soro lands some big shots and Tapia was in bad trouble. Soro lands a flurry of punches with a power left hand connecting sharply forcing the ref to stop the fight with :50 seconds left in the round and completing a major upset on his opponents home turf.
TKO 4th rd. 2:10 Soro
