Spain's Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez became the new WBC/WBO and Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion after earning a hard fought unanamous decision over Kelly Pavlik of Youngstown, OH last night at Boardwalk Hall in AC.
Martinez got off to a fast start, working behind a highly effective straight left hand, which was unstoppable at times. Pavlik rallied in the middle rounds and scored a controversial knockdown in the 7th, but Martinez' style and skills were too much for the incumbent champion.
Martinez' efficient attack and Pavlik's inability to avoid punches eventually left the latter bloodied over both eyes. The bout was in danger of being stopped in the final few rounds, but Pavlik's corner did a good job of cleaning up the cut.
In the end, Pavlik's tremendous heart and middle round rally weren't enough to overcome the countless clean shots he ate over the duration of this entertaining twelve round fight.
Scores were 115-111, 116-111 and 115-112. Martinez improves to 45-2-2 (24 KO's). Pavlik, who may very well have been drained from making the 160 lb limit, slips to 36-2 (32 KO's).
Passaic's Glen Tapia scored an action packed four round decision over Reidsville, NC's James Winchester. Tapia dropped Winchester in the opening round with a short left hook and a follow up attack nearly ended the contest in the opening round, but the game Winchester weathered the storm.
Tapia controlled the majority of the next three rounds, getting the better of numerous heated exchanges. Winchester also did a ton of trash talking and taunting, which frustrated Tapia, but it had little outcome on the final result.
Scores were 40-35 three times.
"I was not pleased with Glen because he goes into the ring trying to knock everyone out", said trainer Mikey "Red" Skowronski. "We are going to go back to the table and work on that, especially as he steps up in competition, but he won clearly nonetheless,"
Tapia is now 6-0 (4 KO's), while the game Winchester falls to 10-4 (3 KO's)
2008 Olympian Matt Korobov fought at a high speed pace early before eventually slowing down and earning decision over tougher than advertised Josh "OC Bomber" Snyder. Korobov had difficulties in a few of the middle rounds, tiring a bit in addition to getting hit with flush right hands, but did enough throughout the eight round contest to win a unanamous but far from impressive decision.
Scores were 79-73 and 78-74 twice. Korobov, of Orotukan Russia, ups his record to 11-0 (8 KO's). Snyder, of Berlin, MD, slips to 8-5-1 (3 KO's)
Hot Welterweight Mike "MJ" Jones battered an extremely game Hector Munoz for 3 1/2 rounds before referee Benji Esteves saved the latter. Jones controlled the entire contest, blasting Munoz with hard power shots. Munoz displayed terrific heart and a tremendous chin, as he never hit the canvas. Unfortunately, Munoz didn't have much else and his night was cut short at 2:03 of the fourth round after he took numerous head shots.
Jones of Philadelphia, improves to 21-0 (17 KO's) and retains his NABA Welterweight Title. Munoz goes home to Albuquerque, NM at 18-3-1 (11 KO's). In addition to an impressive victory, Jones is likely to appear on premium cable next time out.
Kelly Pavlik protege Chris Hazimihalis stopped Philadelphia's Ramon Ellis in 1 minute and 28 seconds. Hazimihalis, who fights at a whirlwind pace, dropped Ellis hard and a fire fisted follow up combination ended the latter's night.
Hazimihalis is now 2-0 (2). Ellis falls to 0-5.
Ronald Hearns of Detroit, MI demolished Delray "Rainmaker" Raines of Paris, Ar inside of one round. Hearns decked Raines just seconds into the bout and put him out cold shortly thereafter. Raines remained face down on the canvas for a minute but was able to make it back to his feet with help of the medical staff.
Hearns, the son of legendary Thomas Hearns, ups his record to 25-1 (19 KO's). Raines drops to 17-8-1 (12 KO's). Time of stoppage was 1:47.
Buffalo's Vincent Arroyo scored a shocking come from behind 8th round KO over well regarded Paterson native Jeremy Bryan. Bryan, a multi-time National Amateur Champion, was clearly in control, using a snappy jab early on to keep Arroyo at bay. The two exchanged solid punches in the middle rounds, with Bryan landing the better of them. Arroyo was hurt in the 7th with a straight right hand-uppercut combo, and Bryan appeared en route to pulling out a decision.
In the 8th and final round, Arroyo caught Bryan, who was circling, on the ropes with a vicious two punch combo. Bryan hit the canvas hard and was counted out at 1:43. He remained down for a minute following the shocking knockout, but got to his feet under his own power to the applause of the crowd.
Arroyo improves to 10-1 (7 KO's) following the upset, while Bryan suffers his first setback at 13-1 (6 KO's)
Editors Note: Immediately following the bout, many of the ringside media members were debating whether Bryan was hit with a punch when he was down or if the knockout blow came AS he was going down.
Former heavyweight contender Dominic "The Southern Disaster" Guinn viciously dropped Plainfield's Terrell "Baby Bull" Nelson in round one and nearly had him out before the bout became a jab fest over the next several rounds. Guinn did turn up the heat in the 7th, rocking and nealry dropping Nelson just seconds before the bell.
Nelson decided to remain on his stool following the 7th, giving Guinn the TKO victory.
Guinn improves to 33-6-1 (22 KO's). Nelson slides to 8-10 (5 KO's).
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