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Support Bout
20 year-old Detroit native Dre Linton stepped into the ring for his HBF debut carrying some heavy expectations on his back. He'd been the pick of the litter at the federation's Van Andel Arena auditions, HBF scout Mal Jackson saying that he had "a right hand like a mule kick". Some had observed an unusual personality as, despite being clearly intelligent and well-spoken, he had displayed something of a dark side that had unsettled both opponents and HBF personnel.
In the time since those June auditions Linton has kept a low profile, training by himself in his hometown and going pretty much unnoticed there. His opponent tonight was Roy Harris of Texas who had recorded his first career victory in his most recent bout, a split decision win against Stanley Drexxon in the African Boxing League tournament. Harris was not expected to test Linton but he defied that belief through the first three rounds as he kept his frustrated opponent at bay. It was not a particularly exciting affair with Harris having a good deal of success in blunting Linton's offense, getting in close and smothering his shots or wrapping him up as often as possible. As a result there were few sustained stretches of action. It was such a close affair that two of the judges both scored rounds one and three 10-10.
Harris caught Linton with a hard combination midway through round four and it appeared that he was starting to get the upperhand. But only moments later Linton unleashed a left hook to the body and the Texan crumbled to the canvas in pain. Up at five, Harris wore a pained expression. The knockdown seemed to rejuvenate Linton, to give him a boost of enthusiasm. He caught his opponent with a smashing right hand and then a jolting uppercut, both shots rattling Harris.
Although Harris survived the round Linton's good work signalled the beginning of the end as he floored Harris twice in round five. The first came just before the one minute mark, a single right cross putting him on his back. Linton kept his foot on the accelerator, driving a hook into Harris's midsection and then finding the target with another one of those big uppercuts. Harris staggered backwards and Linton followed, dropping him with a left-right-left salvo. Somehow Harris made it to his feet at six but when he stumbled and almost fell referee Harry Krause had seen enough and called an end to the bout 2:27 into round five.
(to be continued)
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