ESPN2 FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTSGOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS and
8COUNT PROMOTIONS
UIC PAVILION, CHICAGO, IL
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009
Anyone who enjoys the fights in Chicagoland knows that 8Count Promotions puts on the best shows around. Well, throw ESPN2's Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore into the mix with some hungry, spirited boxing talent, and you've got the recipe for success that other promotions have strived for, but few can actually produce.
The night's opening bout showcased the professional debut of "The Nigerian Gentleman" (not to be confused with The Nigerian Nightmare, Sam Peter), Enobong Umohette, who clearly possesses power throughout his heavily-muscled body. His opponent, Theron Johnson (Chicago, IL) likes to throw "punches in bunches" and his combinations bothered Umohette a couple of times throughout the four-round fight, but Umohette kept lumbering away, throwing huge telegraphed left hooks, prompting me to hope that defense becomes a priority for this young man soon in his boxing training. In the end, the judges saw it 39-37 (all three) for Umohette, moving him to 1-0, and Johnson down to 2-2.
Up second was one of the most exciting fights of the night, pitting Ivan Popoca (Chicago, IL) against Sebastian Hamel (Montreal, Canada) in a six-rounder. Popoca has thrilled Chicagoland boxing fans for the last few years with his forward-only style, and tonight was no different. While bleeding consistently from an accidental headbutt sustained in the opening seconds of the first round, Popoca owned the majority of the exchanges, utilizing his jab and "stay low" approach to dominate the visitor from the North. Plenty of back-and-forth action got the audience on their feet, but it was Popoca who was running the show, and the judges awarded him a unanimous decision with scores of 59-55, 58-56, and 60-54. Popoca's record improves to 10-0-1, and Hamel moves down to 10-18-1.
Now the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights cameras started rolling, just in time to see 2008 USA Olympic bronze medalist Deontay Wilder (Tuscaloosa, AL) continue his undefeated pro career with a quick stoppage of Joseph Rabotte (Myrtle Beach, SC). The much taller Wilder scored THREE knockdowns in the first round, prompting the referee to wave the fight off at 2:33 of round one, moving Wilder's profesional record to 4-0, with all 4 wins coming by way of knockout. In the interest of full disclosure, Deontay Wilder is trained by none other than 1984 Olympic gold medalist Mark Breland, who shared the podium with the likes of Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor,and Tyrell Biggs on that legendary USA boxing team. So far, it looks like Breland's got a real winner in Wilder, and we'll all be tuned in to see what type of pro heavyweight he becomes.
Next up was Daniel Jacobs, known as "The Golden Child", who jabbed his way to success against Jose del Carmen Varela (Los Angeles, CA) until he lowered the boom and landed a picture-perfect straight right hand right between Varela's defense, knocking Varela down for a stunning knockout. Jacobs (Brooklyn, NY) moves to 15-0, and is currently rumored to be facing Michael "Midnight Stalker" Walker on the Pacquiao-Hatton undercard this coming Saturday night. Walker was originally slated to be fighting James Kirkland, who had to pull out of the fight for undisclosed legal issues. One thing is for sure: if Jacobs is going to be Walker's opponent, the fight will end in a knockout, since both men are capable of ending the fight with one punch.
In an absolute mess of a swing fight, Noe Perez (Chicago, IL) knocked out overmatched Ronnie "Da Future" Howell (Cincinnati, OH). Howell was hit with a beautiful overhand right in the first round, and after a full five-second delay chose to go down to the canvas to avoid any more punishment. The crowd voiced it's contempt for Howell's lack of "warrior spirit", prompting one ringside fan, Mr. Javier Esquivel, to say, "Da Future looks bleak!", referring to the Cincinnati native's nickname.
The main televised event was the most octane-enriched fight of the night, complete with toe-to-toe action, a bit of smack talk, and lots of hard-hitting exchanges from both fighters. Antonio Escalante (El Paso, TX by way of Mexico) was paired up with Gary Stark, Jr. (Staten Island, NY) in a scheduled 10-rounder. From the opening bell, it was hard to imagine this fight getting into the later rounds, simply due to the output numbers these two warriors were putting out. Escalante's speed and power were matched up well with Stark's in-punching to the body and excellent chin. Escalante was successful in the first round with his jab and body work, but Stark let his fans know that none of it bothered him.
The second round saw a bit more Stark success, but he eventually got trapped against the ropes, and developed a bloody left cheek from repeated overhand right hands from Escalante. Suddenly, Stark ate a vicious uppercut to the chin and was sent to the canvas for a six-count. Stark made it to his feet, retreated away from Escalante, but was hit with another overhand right, and put down for the final count, ending the fight in grand fashion. The Chicago fight fans expressed their ear-pounding satisfaction, and Escalante got a spectacular win on national television, moving his pro record to 19-2. Stark moves down to 22-3.
It is to be noted that the stars were really out for this momentous event at the UIC Pavilion. Former Olympian and former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz, Chicago heavyweights Mike Mollo, Michael Bennet, and Fres Oquendo, veteran UFC champion Andre Arlovski were all present, not to mention the star power of ESPN2's own veteran commentators Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore. All in all, it was an outstanding night of fights that simply was not to be missed.
***Special thanks to Mr. Dominic Pesoli and Mr. Bernie Bahrmasel of 8Count Promotions for issuing Bolo Punch the credentials to cover this event. This ringside report was written entirely by Chris Guzman, who has hosted The Bolo Punch Boxing Hour since 2002. All ringside photography was taken by Emil Kegebein, and all of his handiwork can be viewed at www.legupphotos.com, available for download and purchasing of prints.
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