[Ian Lord]

8th - Atlantic City, NJ

In the main event at the Boardwalk Hall, Michigan middleweight James 'Lights Out' Toney put his North American title on the line against New Yorker Davey 'Bronx' Moore. It was Toney's second defense. From the opening bell, both men went head to head for three minutes. It was awesome. The crowd were on their feet screaming as punch after punch was thrown. Neither man got the upper hand. It was manic. The crowd were anticipating an awesome fight. However, at 1.52 of the next round, the fight was stopped in Toneys favour after he opened a horrendous looking gash over the right eye of Moore. The ringside doctor was called and he rightfully signaled to the ref to stop the bout.
Moore and his team protested, but it was the right call. As one ringside observer stated, when three of the doctors fingers slip into the cut, it's time to stop the fight.
Moore called Toney out for a re-match. Toney responded by saying if they fight again Moore won't even last into the second round, as he'd be flat on his back before the first three minutes are up. However, Moore must let his wound heal properly first and then get another win under his belt before challenging for the North American title again, as under GBA North American title rules, the challenger must have a winning record. Moore's dipped to 4-4-1 [4]. Toney improved to 6-1 [2].

In a heavyweight chief support, Oliver McCall scored a ten round unanimous decision over Carlos DeLeon. Scores were 96-95, 96-94, and 98-92. McCall had the upper hand for much of the contest, dropping DeLeon int he fifth following a cross to the jaw. DeLeon, now 4-4-1, also finished the bout with a swollen right eye.

Middleweight prospect Michael Nunn, faced what many thought to be his hardest fight yet when he took on New York dangerman Iran 'The Blade' Barkley. However, Nunn cruised through the first two rounds, landing at will against the cruder Barkley and dropping him in the second following a lightning fast combination of punches to the head. Barkley was up at six. The third was closer, with Barkley beginning to land some telling shots. Nunn took the next two rounds comfortably, but then hit the deck for the first time in his career in the sixth, which was all Barkley. Nunn's right eye also began to swell. The crowd watched the start of the seventh in anticipation, curious to see how Nunn dealt with the biggest test of his career thus far. He dealt with it well as the events of the previous round seemed to sting him into action, and with Barkley looking out on his feet, he put him away after forty seconds following a barrage of punches. Nunn improved to 10-0 [5], whilst Barkley drops to 10-6 [4].

In a lively ten round lightweight contest, Sean O'Grady scored a ten round majority verdict over Sammy Serranno. Scores were 96-94, 97-93, and 95-95. There were no knockdowns, but plenty of leather thrown throughout. O'Grady suffered a nast cut under his right eye in the second, but it was kept under control due to to some excellent work from his cutsman Chris M. O'Grady now moves his pro ledger to 5-1 [2]. Serranno's dips to 1-2-2.

Heavyweight 'Big' John Tate scored an eight round unanimous decision over Jody Ballard after clawing his way back. Ballard took the first three rounds with Tate looking sluggish, but he came on strong for the remainder of the fight and knocked Ballard down in the last. Scores were 78-73, 78-73, and 78-74. Tate improves to 10-7 [7], whilst Ballard drops to 2-12 [1].

In the opener, former world heavyweight title challenger Tony 'TNT' Tucker disposed of Derek Amos in the eighth and last round when Amos walked onto an uppercut. Tucker had been in control all the fight and improves to 7-9 [4]. Amos drops to 2-12 [1].