The International Boxing League

[kenyan_cheena]

VILLAFLOR AND TSUBASA
SLUG IT OUT IN THAILAND

Saturday 21 September 2002

It wasn't the main event but there was no doubting that tonight's fight between Japan's Yamada Tsubasa and the Filipino Ben Villaflor was the one to watch during the International Boxing League event in Cholburi, Thailand. The card featured the opening series of bouts in the Lightweight division's Asia/Oceania regional qualifiers, with Tsubasa and Villaflor regarded as the two most talented competitors in the group. Considering that status it was unsurprising that they put on a great show, the two going at it for six tough rounds after which they could not be seperated. One judge favoured Tsubasa (58-56), another Villaflor (58-56) and the third had it all tied up (57-57), making the result a draw.

Tsubasa is predicted by many to emerge as the best of all the Japanese fighters in the IBL and he made his way to the ring decked out in solid black, the haunting trip-hop of DJ Shadow's "On The Dub-ble" resonating around the arena, the bassline itself a physical presence against the walls and floor. He looked calm and relaxed, almost indifferent in the moments before the opening bell, sweat bubbling on his shaven head. Meanwhile Villaflor was a bundle of busy, excited energy on the other side of the ring. He converted that exuberance into an impressive opening round, outhustling Tsubasa and catching him with a sweetly-timed uppercut one minute in.

Stepping up his aggression in round two, Tsubasa evened things up as he tagged Villaflor with a series of damaging blows, the pick of them being a left hook that came in a three-punch salvo at the midpoint. Round three saw the contest heat up with both combatants having their moments. They exchanged some solid shots early before Tsubasa was backed up by a trio of flush shots as the round entered its bottom half. The Japanese fighter was soon bleeding from a cut over his right eye but he shook it off and nailed Villaflor with a smashing uppercut late in the stanza.

His corner crew went to work on the wound effectively during the intermission and Tsubasa came out and dominated the 4th, finding the mark with a dazzling combination early before picking Villaflor off with a potent jab as the round progressed. The Filipino was staggered by a hard right forty seconds from the bell but stayed on his feet.

Just when it appeared that Villaflor was a spent force he rallied strongly late in the 5th, landing a succession of blows on the inside to steal the round. The crowd came to their feet as the two men stepped out for the final three minutes, a round that Villaflor controlled early before Tsubasa finished with an admirable flurry of activity, a pair of jolting uppercuts from inside amongst his best work of the fight. The contest's end was greeted by another standing ovation as both men embraced and then claimed victory.

Punch totals

Villaflor: 125/479 (.261)
Tsubasa: 137/417 (.328)

Both combatants expressed some relief that the fight was out of the way, admitting to feeling a deal of pressure coming in.

"Everyone has been saying that he's the guy to beat," said Villaflor. "He showed why tonight. Yamada is a great, skilled competitor and in a way I'm happy it was a draw because after the effort we both put in, neither of us really deserved to lose. I'm hoping he has a lot of success as we continue through this tournament."

By his nature Tsubasa is not a talkative individual but the few words he spoke were reserved for his opponent, praising Villaflor's toughness and determination.

"I thought he was running out of gas after the 4th," said Tsubasa. "But he came back strong in round five and kept it going in the 6th. It was a great effort from him to stay in the fight."

As mentioned earlier, Villaflor and Tsubasa are the class of this particular regional group and for them to produce such a classic matchup on debut is a great sign for their future chances. Watching them progress through the rest of these regional qualifiers is something to really look forward to.

***

Tsubasa's fellow countryman Jaguar Kakizawa had a much easier time in the evening's main event, defeating Thailand's Daomai Sithkodom by unanimous decision (59-55, 58-56, 59-55). Of course, Sithkodom had the crowd behind him but it simply wasn't enough as he was outclassed by the Sydney Olympian. Kakizawa was not mind-blowingly brilliant, doing just enough to win with his best work coming in rounds three and six. It will be interesting to see how he goes against Tsubasa. No doubt he won't be content to just surrender his status as Japan's best Lightweight and the clash between the two will definitely be one to watch.

***

Earlier on the card Gabriele Elorde took a convincing unanimous decision verdict against fellow Filipino Rene Barrientos (59-55, 59-56, 59-55) in a performance that indicated he'll be right there with Villaflor and Tsubasa when the tournament reaches its final stages. Elorde possesses nothing resembling a knockout punch but he's quick and aggressive, attributes that led to him landing an impressive 224 of 676 punches (33.1%). He had his opponent under his thumb early and kept him on the back foot and on the defensive throughout, to the point where Barrientos only threw 114 punches over the duration of the bout...

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE FIGHT CARD
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2002
AMBASSADOR CITY JOMTIEN HOTEL, CHOLBURI, THAILAND

IBL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
REGIONAL QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT, SERIES ONE
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
REGION: ASIA/OCEANIA


OPENING BOUT

Teruo Kosaka UD6 Hwan-Kil Yuh

PRELIMINARY 1

Hiroshi Kobayashi UD6 Renato Cornett

PRELIMINARY 2

Gabriele Elorde UD6 Rene Barrientos

SUPPORT BOUT

Kurokawa Taiki UD6 Johnny Sato

CO-FEATURE

Ben Villaflor D6 Yamada Tsubasa

MAIN EVENT

Jaguar Kakizawa UD6 Daomai Sithkodom

***

Series Two Matchups...

HWAN-KIL YUH (0-1-0) vs HIROSHI KOBAYASHI (1-0-0)
DAOMAI SITHKODOM (0-1-0) vs RENATO CORNETT (0-1-0)
YAMADA TSUBASA (0-0-1) vs TERUO KOSAKA (1-0-0)
JAGUAR KAKIZAWA (1-0-0) vs RENE BARRIENTOS (0-1-0)
BEN VILLAFLOR (0-0-1) vs JOHNNY SATO (0-1-0)
GABRIELE ELORDE (1-0-0) vs KUROKAWA TAIKI (1-0-0)

[Romdawg88]

Hell of a fight there KC. I'm sure you would have preferred a win but a draw ain't too bad now if you can just beat Gabriele Elorde when you meet you should be sitting pretty.

[kenyan_cheena]

Yep, like I said earlier in the thread, I'm satisfied with a draw against Villaflor.

You'll remember a couple of weeks ago you asked me if I was excited about my guy's debut and I said I hadn't thought much about it. Well I ran the fight this morning and was very nervous. Barely blinked as I watched each round go by.

[Brooks TVB]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Yep, like I said earlier in the thread, I'm satisfied with a draw against Villaflor.

You'll remember a couple of weeks ago you asked me if I was excited about my guy's debut and I said I hadn't thought much about it. Well I ran the fight this morning and was very nervous. Barely blinked as I watched each round go by.

Too bad you didn't win. Doesn't look like Kosaka will be a walk in the park either.

[kenyan_cheena]

LOCKRIDGE EXCITED ABOUT
WHITAKER CLASH

Saturday 21 September 2002

His friends say that Rocky Lockridge has never backed down from a challenge his whole life and in five weeks the Dallas native faces possibly the biggest one of his life when he steps in the ring against Olympic gold medallist Pernell Whitaker in series two of the IBL's regional qualifiers. The hard-hitting Lightweight was victorious in his professional debut last night, scoring a majority decision victory over Mexico's Arturo Lomeli at West virginia's Mountaineer Race Track & Resort. The series two schedule was revealed following the conclusion of the card and it confirmed that Lockridge and Whitaker will step in the ring against each other on the 26th of October.

Lockridge was one of the standouts at the International Boxing League's Houston selection trials back in May, his punching power and solid all-round skills earning him plaudits from IBL scouts. However, the 20 year-old had been somewhat overlooked leading into last night's event, much of the attention focused on Whitaker and the two New Yorkers, Canzoneri and Plunkett. Far from being concerned about facing Whitaker, Lockridge said today that he can't wait to trade punches with the Virginia-born favourite for the Lightweight World Championship.

"I was just pumped when I saw my name come up nex' to his," said Lockridge. "I trained my ass off comin' into the tourney and there ain't no doubt I'll be ready for him. Been a few Olympians that have lost so far so ain't no reason why I can't add his name to the list."

Lockridge spoke of the pride he feels being a native Texan and said that he hopes to make his fellow Lone Star state residents proud.

"Everyone saw what happen with Jacky Johnson," Lockridge said. "Dude up and left for Cali, left his roots behind, man. You ain't gonna see anthing like that from me. I'll be representin' Texas proudly each time I climb between the ropes and it's my goal to one day bring that Lightweight World title to the Texas State Capitol and show it for everyone to see. That's my ambition and it fuels everything I do, each day."

Whether or not Lockridge has the talent to defeat Whitaker is highly questionable, but one cannot doubt his determination and drive. Those attributes alone should make for an exciting tussle come October 26...

[kenyan_cheena]

DEJESUS VICTORIOUS AT HOME

Saturday 21 September 2002

Promising Puerto Rican Lightweight Esteban DeJesus made an excellent start to his professional boxing career tonight, defeating New York's Larry Stanton by unanimous decision in the main event of an IBL Future Contender series fight card in front of a parochial home crowd at San Juan's Roberto Clemente Coliseum (59-55 on all three cards). In an action-packed bout the 19 year-old had a little bit too much class for the willing American, outlanding him 238-142 over the course of the contest.

DeJesus was one of a trio of Lightweights who stood out at the league's San Juan selection trials back in June, the others being Hector Camacho and Edwin Rosario. He was the only one of the three not placed into the regional qualifiers, a fact that upset him initially and still does now. He's said that he's out to prove that the IBL made a mistake with that particular decision and tonight was a pretty good start for him.

UNDERCARD HIGHLIGHTS

* DeJesus' fellow Puerto Rican Pedro Montanez was also victorious, scoring a similarly-comfortable win against Japan's Shinichi Yamabe (59-55, 58-56, 59-55) and outlanding him 220-136.

* Californian teen Roberto Garcia defeated Mexico's Ricardo Arredondo by split decision. The childhood friend of HBF competitor Sam McVey had a slight edge through the first four rounds but had to climb off the canvas after being floored late in the 5th. He took the final round to secure an exciting 57-56, 56-57, 57-56 decision, McVey there to celebrate with him when it was all over.

* The pick of the evening's performances was that produced by Georgia's Beau Jack, the 19 year-old dominating San Francisco native Gil Cadilli on the way to a unanimous decision win (60-54, 59-55, 60-54). There were no knockdowns but Cadilli was never even close to being in the contest, Jack setting a new Lightweight division record for punches landed in a fight with 251. He'll definitely be one to watch as the Future Contender series continues.


SUMMARY OF RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE FIGHT CARD
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2002
ROBERTO CLEMENTE COLISEUM, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

IBL FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION - GROUP THREE, SERIES ONE


OPENING BOUT

Roberto Garcia SD6 Ricardo Arredondo

PRELIMINARY 1

Ray Miller UD6 Kenny Bogner

PRELIMINARY 2

Oscar Nelson UD6 Greg Haugen

SUPPORT BOUT

Pedro Montanez UD6 Shinichi Yamabe

CO-FEATURE

Beau Jack UD6 Gil Cadilli

MAIN EVENT

Esteban DeJesus UD6 Larry Stanton

[kenyan_cheena]

PHILADELPHIA MASSACRE:
TENDLER DESTROYS JUUKO

Sunday 22 September 2002

Hometown hero Lew Tendler made about as impressive a professional debut as one could hope for tonight at Philadelphia's Adams Mark Hotel, the 15 year-old southpaw decimating Uganda native Justin Juuko inside of four rounds to score a TKO victory. Considered one of the International Boxing League's premier young talents Tendler did not disappoint as he floored Juuko once in the 1st and then twice in the 4th before referee William Conners called an end to the carnage at the 1:49 mark.

Tendler will celebrate his 16th birthday next Saturday and gave himself an early present, landing 170 punches during the fight while only being hit by nineteen from the hapless Ugandan. There are some who believe that fifteen year olds shouldn't be fighting professionally and while their arguments might have some merit there's no doubt that Lew Tendler is more than capable of handling himself in a boxing ring. With his wild mop of hair gelled in place like he'd stuck his head in an electricity outlet the youngster showed a destructive mindset as he chopped Juuko to pieces with a relentless offense.

"Yeah, he's turning sixteen next week but the kid is mature," said his trainer and uncle Archie Davis. "He fought a couple years in the amateurs and the officials there couldn't believe how far along he was, both in talent and mindset. He's a bit different to some of the kids his age in that he knows what he wants to achieve, and that's to be a World Champion boxer. I'm really happy that the IBL brought in this Future Contender series because it's going to give him a chance to learn the craft of the sport without feeling any pressure. We can bring him along as slowly as we need to and that's a bonus."

***

On the undercard New York's Lou Ambers had a considerably tougher time than Tendler did as he defeated the Venezuelan Idelfonso Bethelmy by majority decision (58-56, 57-57, 59-55) in an entertaining stoush. Earlier in the evening Honduras native Ludwig Lightburn survived a determined effort from Mexico's Bernabe Vasquez in winning by unanimous decision (58-57, 59-56, 58-57). The fighters combined to land 341 punches with the 3rd, 4th and 6th rounds being particulalrly action-packed.


SUMMARY OF RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE FIGHT CARD
SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2002
ADAMS MARK HOTEL, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

IBL FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION - GROUP FOUR, SERIES ONE


OPENING BOUT

George Araujo UD6 Al Ford

PRELIMINARY 1

Maxie Docusen D6 Larry Boardman

PRELIMINARY 2

Willie Ritchie UD6 Rodolfo Gonzalez

SUPPORT BOUT

Ludwig Lightburn UD6 Bernabe Vasquez

CO-FEATURE

Lou Ambers MD6 Idelfonso Bethelmy

MAIN EVENT

Lew Tendler TKO4 Justin Juuko

[kenyan_cheena]

Sunday 22 September 2002

INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE
FIGHT CARD SCHEDULE
MONDAY 23/09/2002 - SUNDAY 29/09/2002 INCLUSIVE

MONDAY 23/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - CARIBBEAN
TRUJILLO STADIUM, TRUJILLO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

JOSE LEGRA vs ROBERT BROWN
CIRO MORASEN vs JUAN LAPORTE
ANTONIO RIVERA vs NESLEY HAVEN
VICTOR CALLEJAS vs MIGUEL BERRIOS
LEO CRUZ vs ELIGIO MONTALVO
FERNANDO BATISTA vs TYRONE BURTON

TUESDAY 24/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - ASIA/OCEANIA
BUSAN ASIAD STADIUM, BUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

DONG-KYUN YUM vs KAZUO KOBAYASHI
KAZUO TAKAYAMA vs JOHNNY JAMITO
JOHNNY FAMECHON vs GENARIO TORRES
SAMART PAYAKAROON vs MITSUNORI SEKI
ALBERT GRIFFITHS vs SOO-HWAN HONG
SEUNG-HOON LEE vs JEFF FENECH

WEDNESDAY 25/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - SOUTH AMERICA
STADIO OLYMPIC, CARACAS, VENEZUELA

ERNESTO MARCEL vs RICARDO CARDONA
RAFAEL ORTEGA vs DANIEL BLANCO
RUBEN PALACIOS vs RICARDO GONZALEZ
ANTONIO HERRERA vs SERGIO PALMA
ANTONIO ESPARRAGOZA vs EUSEBIO PEDROZA
CRUZ MARCANO vs VICTOR LEON

THURSDAY 26/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - USA/CANADA
BELL CENTRE, MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA

DAVID DONALD vs KEVIN KELLEY
KENNEDY MCKINNEY vs FREDDIE MILLER
SOLLY SMITH vs MAURICE LINCOLN
ART HAFEY vs JOHNNY KILBANE
KEITH NANCE vs WILLIE PEP
TERRY MCGOVERN vs GEORGE DIXON

THURSDAY 26/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES - GROUP ONE
STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA

RAY FAMECHON vs STEPHEN MORRIS
JACK WOLFE vs LUIZ FEOLA
CARMELO NEGRON vs RICARDO MORALES
HOWARD WINSTONE vs ALAN SIGURDSEN
ALBERTO MARTINEZ vs CARLOS MENDOZA
JOSEPH SADDLER vs JOE TETTEH

FRIDAY 27/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - MEXICO
ESTADIO SALTILLO, SALTILLO, MEXICO

JUAN ESTRADA vs RAMON PEREZ
CLEMENTE SANCHEZ vs JUAN MEZA
RAUL CRUZ vs RICARDO MORENO
FILI NAVA vs RUBEN OLIVARES
JUAN ANTONIO LOPEZ vs VICENTE SALDIVAR
DANIEL ZARAGOZA vs SALVADOR SANCHEZ

FRIDAY 27/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES - GROUP TWO
CARNIVAL CITY BIG TOP ARENA, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

STEVIE CRUZ vs GRACIEUX LAMPERTI
JESAN VALENZUELA vs EVERETT RIGHTMIRE
FERNANDO TAVAREZ vs ROLLY SANTIAGO
PAUL JORGENSEN vs BRUNO ALVES
ALBERTO ARIZMENDI vs FERNANDO ZAMACOLA
DELRON KHUMALO vs MASASHI KANEDA

SATURDAY 28/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: REGION - EUROPE/AFRICA
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ARENA, CARDIFF, WALES

WELCOME NCITA vs NEL TARLETON
DAVEY KOTEY vs RUDEL DIETRICH
EUGENE CRIQUI vs BARRY MCGUIGAN
RAFIU KING vs SHAUN SMITH
NASEEM HAMED vs HOGAN BASSEY
JIM DRISCOLL vs LORIS STECCA

SATURDAY 28/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES - GROUP THREE
MONTE CARLO, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA

RUBEN CASTILLO vs JORGE JIMENEZ
JUAN SANCHEZ vs CLAUDIO REDONDO
PATRICK FORD vs DWIGHT HAWKINS
GENE SMITH vs RYAN PARKER
AUBURN COPELAND vs ANUCHA THONGLAO
BENNY BASS vs GEORGE SMITH

SUNDAY 29/09/2002
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES - GROUP FOUR
FUTUROSCOPE, POITERS, FRANCE

JET BALLY vs KIYOSHI HATANAKA
JIMMY PERRIN vs HELMUT MULLER
RONNIE CLAYTON vs MARK FORREST
CHRIS MULLIGAN vs MASAMI NAGAI
JOHNNY DUNDEE vs TERRY SPINKS
CHRISTOPHER BATTALINO vs FRANCOIS SALVATERRE

[kenyan_cheena]

FEATHERWEIGHTS TO CLOSE OUT
SERIES ONE OF REGIONAL QUALIFIERS

Sunday 22 September 2002

The opening series of the International Boxing League's World Championship regional qualifiers reaches its conclusion this week with the spotlight focusing on the Featherweight division. There's a perception that of the IBL's five weight divisions this one is the lightest, not only literally but also in terms of talent. There are some excellent fighters amongst its ranks but in the opinion of some observers the struggle to be crowned the division's first World Champion will not be as cutthroat and absorbing as in the others. The league has dismissed those beliefs, building up the week as one of fast-paced action and excitement.

It all starts tomorrow night in the Dominican Republic, the Trujillo Stadium card headlined by hometown hero Fernando Batista's clash against the Jamaican Tyrone Burton. Promising Cuban Eligio "Kid Chocolate" Montalvo also makes his debut. On Tuesday the action switches to Korea where a pair of local fighters will be out to spring upsets against two talented Australians: 20 year-old Soo-Hwan Hong takes on Albert Griffiths while Seung-Hoon Lee faces a daunting prospect in the shape of Olympic bronze medallist Jeff Fenech. Venezuela's Stadio Olympic hosts Wednesday's South American card, the main event a matchup of two Venezuelans that will have the crowd split, Cruz Marcano taking on Victor Leon. Others to keep an eye out for on the card are Panama's Eusebio Pedroza and Argentinian bronze medal-winner Sergio Palma.

Another medallist makes his debut on Thursday, Canada's George Dixon the feature attraction when he goes up against Pennsylvania's Terry McGovern. The card will be the second in three days at Montreal's Bell Centre as the HBF's Canadian Boxing League tournament final will be held there on Tuesday. All eyes will be on Mexico on Friday night in what is the most anticipated card of the week. The nation's two Sydney gold medallists and bitter rivals Salvador Sanchez and Vicente Saldivar make their pro debuts with Sanchez being handed the main event slot. The week's action concludes in Wales on Saturday where former amateur standout Jim Driscoll steps in the ring against the tough Italian Loris Stecca.

As mentioned earlier, there's a belief that the Featherweight division is weak but judging on what's on the menu for its opening week that opinion could not be further from the truth...

[kenyan_cheena]

MORRISON HAS NO FEAR
AHEAD OF ZALE BOUT

Monday 23 September 2002

In one week from tonight Wisconsin Middleweight Jake Morrison steps in the ring against Chicago-born Olympic bronze medallist Tony Zale. It's a bout that could very well be the highlight of series two of the International Boxing League's regional qualifiers, a matchup of two aggressive sluggers that should provide plenty of fireworks and probably won't last the full six-round distance. The fact that it has the regional rivalry aspect attached to it makes it all the more interesting but that's something that means little to Morrison.

"Maybe the fans and you media guys see some significance in that, but I don't give a damn," said Morrison, speaking yesterday. "Tony Zale is as tough as nails and I'm gonna have to be at my best to beat him. That's all that matters to me and it's what I'm focusing on. I've trained harder during these last four weeks than ever before. I've pushed myself beyond what I thought I was capable of and I'm ready for the fight. There's not a measure of fear inside me. I'm ready to destroy Tony Zale."

Morrison is one of the more controversial figures in the IBL, his bad temper and aggressive nature earning him a reputation as a man to steer clear of. It's something a couple of locals in his hometown of Chippewa Falls found out the hard way some weeks ago when they goaded Morrison into a fight while he was out on a morning run and emerged with a number of injuries for their troubles. Morrison was cleared of any wrong-doing in the incident but it served as an example that he's not someone to be messed with.

In his professional debut last month Morrison stopped Wilfie Greaves on cuts in the 3rd round but it's a performance he was unsatisfied with, saying afterwards he was annoyed the fight ended as it did and that he'd be carrying that disappointment into his next fight. If that's the case, Tony Zale will have to be on his guard from the opening bell come next Monday night. The North American Central regional group is regarded as perhaps the most talented in the entire IBL so if Morrison can score a victory over the Olympian it will be a huge boost for his chances of qualifying for the World Championship tournament. As was the case back on August 26 the card will be held at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena with the talented local duo of Harry Greb and Charley Burley scheduled to clash in the main event.

Morrison earned the ire of the Pittsburgh crowd at the conclusion of last month's bout when he refused to acknowledge their applause before actually snapping back harshly at a young child who had called out to him. The 19 year-old said that he couldn't wait to get back into the confrontational atmosphere of the arena, hoping that everyone would be against him.

"I really feed off the energy from the crowd," he said. "Whether it's negative or positive, it doesn't matter. But I have to say that it gave me a rush last month hearing them all boo me, so I won't mind at all if it happens again. I'm looking forward to being their bad guy."

[Jeff1787]

Well, here at Leroy's on Spring Street (a real place) in downtown Chippewa Falls, we sure are looking forward to that fight!

[Ric915]

Your writing is amazing KC. As usual really good stuff

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

Well, here at Leroy's on Spring Street (a real place) in downtown Chippewa Falls, we sure are looking forward to that fight!

I'm excited about it, too. Hoping for something akin to Hagler-Hearns.

Originally Posted by Ric915

Your writing is amazing KC. As usual really good stuff

Thanks, Ric. I have to say it's not always easy but the fact that I love doing it helps a lot.

[kenyan_cheena]

BURTON TOO GOOD FOR BATISTA IN TRUJILLO

Monday 23 September 2002

Tonight saw the opening fight card of the IBL's Featherweight division regional qualifiers with Jamaica's Tyrone Burton getting the better of local favourite Fernando Batista in the main event at Trujillo Stadium. Burton scored a no-nonsense unanimous decision victory against the Dominican Republic native (59-56, 58-57, 59-56), Batista never really looking like challenging for the win. Neither of the two combatants have been mentioned in the same breath as the more fancied fighters in the division so it was something of an unusual main event. However, Burton put on an impressive display and will be one to watch as the tournament progresses. He outlanded Batista 160-85.

***

In the Co-Feature promising Cuban native Eligio Montalvo made a successful debut defeating another Dominican Republic fighter, Leo Cruz. The young man known as "Kid Chocolate" in his hometown took a unanimous decision (58-55 on all three cards), flooring Cruz midway through the first and continuing his domination through the next two rounds. To his credit Cruz held his own during the bout's second half but he was unable to pin back that early deficit.

Along with Montalvo, Puerto Rico's Juan LaPorte is a favourite to finish on top of the Caribbean regional group and he was victorious earlier on the card by unanimous decision against Cuba's Ciro Morasen (58-54, 59-52, 58-54). After a slow start LaPorte established control of the contest in rounds two and three before sending Morasen to the canvas in the 4th and 6th rounds. He finished in fantastic style, landing 54 punches in the final stanza to put a great exclamation point on his work.

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE FIGHT CARD
MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2002
TRUJILLO STADIUM, TRUJILLO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

IBL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
REGIONAL QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT, SERIES ONE
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
REGION: CARIBBEAN


OPENING BOUT

Robert Brown SD6 Jose Legra

PRELIMINARY 1

Juan LaPorte UD6 Ciro Morasen

PRELIMINARY 2

Antonio Rivera MD6 Nesley Haven

SUPPORT BOUT

Victor Callejas UD6 Miguel Berrios

CO-FEATURE

Eligio Montalvo UD6 Leo Cruz

MAIN EVENT

Tyrone Burton UD6 Fernando Batista

***

Series Two Matchups...

VICTOR CALLEJAS (1-0-0) vs CIRO MORASEN (0-1-0)
TYRONE BURTON (1-0-0) vs ELIGIO MONTALVO (1-0-0)
ANTONIO RIVERA (1-0-0) vs FERNANDO BATISTA (0-1-0)
JUAN LAPORTE (1-0-0) vs NESLEY HAVEN (0-1-0)
JOSE LEGRA (0-1-0) vs LEO CRUZ (0-1-0)
ROBERT BROWN (1-0-0) vs MIGUEL BERRIOS (0-1-0)

[kenyan_cheena]

BRONZE MEDALLIST FENECH
IMPRESSES IN PRO DEBUT

Tuesday 24 September 2002

Australian Olympic medallist Jeff Fenech made a great start to his professional boxing career tonight, scoring a dominant victory over Korea's Seung-Hoon Lee at the Busan Asiad Stadium. Despite the convincing nature of Fenech's performance one judge somehow scored the bout a draw, making the Aussie a majority decision winner (60-54, 57-57, 60-54). Fenech was accompanied to the ring by his good friend and HBF competitor Peter Jackson and produced an effort that was expected but still impressive. He's regarded as the favourite to top the Featherweight division's Asia/Oceania regional group and nothing he did tonight will change that status.

A busy, aggressive fighter, Fenech made it near impossible for the home crowd hero to get into the contest and was particularly effective in rounds two and five where he caught Lee with a succession of pinpoint combinations. He bullied the Korean into near submission, employing a workrate that Lee could not come close to matching. When it was over Fenech had outlanded his opponent 159-84. He was gracious and humble in victory.

"There's still a long way to go," shrugged Fenech. "Ten more fights even before the World Championship tournament so I'm not going to think far ahead, at all. Lee gave me a challenging evening but I know things are going to be a lot tougher as we keep going. Still, it is nice to start with a win."