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kenyan_cheena · 01-31-2005, 09:06 AM

NORTON AND MCNEELEY GIVE EACH OTHER HELL
(IN PARADISE)

Friday 18 January 2002

For their seventh fight card, the Heavyweight Boxing Federation took their show to the seaside paradise surrounds of the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in Cholburi, Thailand. The card started at 7am U.S east coast time, so many people were able to have a look before heading to work for the day.

California's Ken Norton, the number thirteen seed in the federation's World Championship tournament, clashed with the 116th seed, Tom McNeeley of Massachusetts. As is becoming a welcomed trend in the tournament, the much-lower-seeded McNeeley gave Norton a difficult time, before ultimately losing a unanimous decision, 59-54, 59-55, 58-55. Norton landed 150 punches, while the competitive McNeeley landed 104. McNeeley tasted the canvas on one occasion, early in the final round.

"Yeah, I may be one of the lower seeded guys in the tournament, but that's not gonna stop me from giving 110% every time I climb in the ring," said McNeeley. "I tried as hard as I could tonight. It's the first fight, you know? In this tournament, it's going to be so important to start well. But this guy Kenny Norton, he's a tough hombre."

"Just a lot of relief," Norton said, when asked how he was feeling after the fight. "You know, one of the other top seeds said that we're expected to win these early fights. We'll, that doesn't make it any easier. The fellas at the bottom, they know what's happening. They know what it'll do for their chances, and their profile, if they can get a win over a top seed. There's a lot to prove, for everyone."

Considered to be amongst the top five fittest competitors in the World Championship tournament, 24 year-old Norton played football in college and discovered boxing during a brief stint in the marines which ended ten months ago. He was named by more than a few observers as having the most impressive physique of all those who auditioned for the HBF tournament in October. Norton is hoping that those same observers will grow to become even more enamoured with his boxing ability as the tournament progresses.

The HBF's fighters and personnel have been treated with the utmost hospitality and respect during their one week stay in Thailand.

"Just incredible," said Norton. "I knew we were coming here to fight, but I didn't know that we'd be spending a one week vacation here aswell. I really can't speak highly enough of the courtesy we've been given. It's like a dream, really. I'd love to come back here in the future, just as a tourist, you know? It's a beautiful country. I think the HBF would have to be nuts to not consider another trip here."

Norton may not have been told of the announcement that HBF President Michael Vincennes had made just the day before, regarding the formation of HBF "Feeder Leagues", one of which will be located in South-East Asia, with Thailand amongst the three major countries to be hosting fight cards for it.

UNDERCARD ACTION

Opener

In a 1st Defense tournament bout, 29th seed Bernie Reynolds of Fairfield, Connecticut had to fight hard to overcome Spain's Alfredo Evangelista (37th seed). Reynolds took a close majority decision, 58-56, 57-57, 58-56.

Prelim 1

21st seed Wayne Bethea of New York survived a determined challenge from his Norwegian opponent, the 45th seed Steffen Tangstad. Some said it was a bad decision, with Tangstad appearing to win the 2nd and 3rd rounds quite handily but having only one of the judges scoring them in his favour. The final verdict read 58-56, 56-58, 58-56 in favour of Bethea.

Prelim 2

19 year-old Gerald Griffith of Sioux City, Iowa prevailed with a comfortable unanimous decision victory over Denver's Leroy Jones, 59-55 (twice), 58-56. Jones started well, winning the first round in impressive fashion. But from there on his performance dropped off rapidly and he was only able to take a single round on a single judge's card for the remainder of the fight.

Support Bout

Another competitive contest, with the #36 seed Buster Mathis of Grand Rapids, Michigan having to dig deep against Harlem's Coley Wallace. The New Yorker came out firing in round one, and was in the fight right up to his eyeballs until the fifth, when he started to tire. Mathis took a majority decision, 58-56, 57-57, 58-56.

Co-Feature

Back on 28 December, 19 year-old Canadian Donovan Ruddock claimed that he should have been seeded higher than #20. Ruddock, "not an egotistical man, by any stretch", felt he should have been closer to the top ten. Well, he had his chance to make good on his claim when he clashed with Philadelphia's 26 year-old 100th seed Jesse Ferguson. While Ruddock didn't set the world on fire, he did show that he will be one to watch in the tournament, winning by an easy unanimous decision, 59-55, 58-56, 59-55. Ruddock was a dominating force in the 2nd, 5th and 6th rounds, but nonetheless his opponent was able to stay on his feet for the duration of the bout.

01-31-2005, 09:06 AM	#55 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 7,579 Thanks: 80 Thanked 143x in 125 posts	NORTON AND MCNEELEY GIVE EACH OTHER HELL (IN PARADISE) Friday 18 January 2002 For their seventh fight card, the Heavyweight Boxing Federation took their show to the seaside paradise surrounds of the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in Cholburi, Thailand. The card started at 7am U.S east coast time, so many people were able to have a look before heading to work for the day. California's Ken Norton, the number thirteen seed in the federation's World Championship tournament, clashed with the 116th seed, Tom McNeeley of Massachusetts. As is becoming a welcomed trend in the tournament, the much-lower-seeded McNeeley gave Norton a difficult time, before ultimately losing a unanimous decision, 59-54, 59-55, 58-55. Norton landed 150 punches, while the competitive McNeeley landed 104. McNeeley tasted the canvas on one occasion, early in the final round. "Yeah, I may be one of the lower seeded guys in the tournament, but that's not gonna stop me from giving 110% every time I climb in the ring," said McNeeley. "I tried as hard as I could tonight. It's the first fight, you know? In this tournament, it's going to be so important to start well. But this guy Kenny Norton, he's a tough hombre." "Just a lot of relief," Norton said, when asked how he was feeling after the fight. "You know, one of the other top seeds said that we're expected to win these early fights. We'll, that doesn't make it any easier. The fellas at the bottom, they know what's happening. They know what it'll do for their chances, and their profile, if they can get a win over a top seed. There's a lot to prove, for everyone." Considered to be amongst the top five fittest competitors in the World Championship tournament, 24 year-old Norton played football in college and discovered boxing during a brief stint in the marines which ended ten months ago. He was named by more than a few observers as having the most impressive physique of all those who auditioned for the HBF tournament in October. Norton is hoping that those same observers will grow to become even more enamoured with his boxing ability as the tournament progresses. The HBF's fighters and personnel have been treated with the utmost hospitality and respect during their one week stay in Thailand. "Just incredible," said Norton. "I knew we were coming here to fight, but I didn't know that we'd be spending a one week vacation here aswell. I really can't speak highly enough of the courtesy we've been given. It's like a dream, really. I'd love to come back here in the future, just as a tourist, you know? It's a beautiful country. I think the HBF would have to be nuts to not consider another trip here." Norton may not have been told of the announcement that HBF President Michael Vincennes had made just the day before, regarding the formation of HBF "Feeder Leagues", one of which will be located in South-East Asia, with Thailand amongst the three major countries to be hosting fight cards for it. UNDERCARD ACTION Opener In a 1st Defense tournament bout, 29th seed Bernie Reynolds of Fairfield, Connecticut had to fight hard to overcome Spain's Alfredo Evangelista (37th seed). Reynolds took a close majority decision, 58-56, 57-57, 58-56. Prelim 1 21st seed Wayne Bethea of New York survived a determined challenge from his Norwegian opponent, the 45th seed Steffen Tangstad. Some said it was a bad decision, with Tangstad appearing to win the 2nd and 3rd rounds quite handily but having only one of the judges scoring them in his favour. The final verdict read 58-56, 56-58, 58-56 in favour of Bethea. Prelim 2 19 year-old Gerald Griffith of Sioux City, Iowa prevailed with a comfortable unanimous decision victory over Denver's Leroy Jones, 59-55 (twice), 58-56. Jones started well, winning the first round in impressive fashion. But from there on his performance dropped off rapidly and he was only able to take a single round on a single judge's card for the remainder of the fight. Support Bout Another competitive contest, with the #36 seed Buster Mathis of Grand Rapids, Michigan having to dig deep against Harlem's Coley Wallace. The New Yorker came out firing in round one, and was in the fight right up to his eyeballs until the fifth, when he started to tire. Mathis took a majority decision, 58-56, 57-57, 58-56. Co-Feature Back on 28 December, 19 year-old Canadian Donovan Ruddock claimed that he should have been seeded higher than #20. Ruddock, "not an egotistical man, by any stretch", felt he should have been closer to the top ten. Well, he had his chance to make good on his claim when he clashed with Philadelphia's 26 year-old 100th seed Jesse Ferguson. While Ruddock didn't set the world on fire, he did show that he will be one to watch in the tournament, winning by an easy unanimous decision, 59-55, 58-56, 59-55. Ruddock was a dominating force in the 2nd, 5th and 6th rounds, but nonetheless his opponent was able to stay on his feet for the duration of the bout. Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 07-09-2005 at 10:06 PM.