Frank De Alba and Jose Bustos Fight Snowstorm Thriller at Econolodge Allentown
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent – Ringside
Allentown, PA (February 23, 2015)– Despite a winter storm blizzard which made the Econolodge Motel & Conference Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, look more like a snowbound motel in Northern Alaska, Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions in association with Al Haymon, successfully held a nine bout professional boxing card on Saturday evening, February 21, 2015. Pennsylvania boxing fans braved a sudden incredible snowstorm which forced snowplows to work around the clock through the night to keep the roadways to the Econolodge and the parking lot pathways clear, so fight fans could access the event, and get home safely.
In the main event, hometown hero Frank De Alba, 15-1-2, six knockouts, Reading, Pennsylvania, made his second successful defense of the Universal Boxing Federation all America Super Featherweight title with an eight round unanimous decision over game but outmatched Jose Bustos, now 7-3-3, four knockouts, Chihuahua, Mexico.
De Alba is a fast moving fighter with fast hands and superior foot movement. So Bustos loaded up looking for a knockout, but got outworked for the first seven rounds by De Alba.
Bustos landed some power counters, but could not match De Alba’s consistent work rate. De Alba kept tagging Bustos with head and body combinations, while Bustos loaded up on head shot bombs, landing occasional counters. In the seventh round, a pinpoint head and body shot combination put Bustos on his back and brought the quiet crowd to its cheering feet as the round ended. Bustos beat the count, and De Alba looked to go in for the kill.
Bustos appeared to win the eighth round by playing possum, covering up along the ropes, baiting De Alba to come in and swing for the knockout. De Alba initially threw caution to the wind, and promptly got tagged by head power shots, Bustos’ best punches of the contest. De Alba then became defensively careful after that moment, not taking any further foolish chances when victory was assured. Both De Alba and Bustos came in in top physical condition. Though De Alba could outpoint Bustos, he could not shake Bustos, who took more than he gave, but slipped many punches. Bustos, outclassed, nonetheless kept looking to somehow get lucky with an opportunity haymaker bomb which never materialized-right up to the final bell. Real Combat Media scored the bout 79-72 for De Alba. However, it could be argued the bout was far closer than the scoring indicated. Bustos was clearly in the house every round and came to win, he was just getting outworked in a technical war.
After the bout ended, De Alba stated he wanted his next bout to be a ten rounder, and he hoped Marshall Kauffman would give him a ten rounder opportunity to defend his UBF belt again at the next area boxing card at the Sands Bethlehem.
Popular area pro fighters Travis Kauffman, Joey Dawejko, Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna, Steve Chambers and Raymond Serrano were among those in attendance.
Result: Frank Santos De Alba Win 8 Jose Bustos, Super Featherweights
De Alba retains the Universal Boxing Federation All America title
Referee: Shawn Clark. UBF Supervisor: Mike Melendez
In the preliminary bout to the main event, rising super middleweight prospect John Magda of Rutherford, New Jersey, went to 9-0, six knockouts, with a sixround unanimous decision over courageous Jay Williams now 3-5, West Monroe, Louisiana. Both men appeared tall with a long reach, but Magda was faster with his power shots, keeping Williams backing up on the defensive and off balance for all six rounds. Magda dropped Williams in the fifth round and twice in the sixth. Williams survived. All three judges had it 60-51 for Magda.
King’s Promotions and Al Haymon Undercard-Econolodge Conference Center Allentown
Shawn Clark and Hurley McCall, Referees
John Magda Win 6 Jay Williams, Super Middleweights
Williams down in the fifth round, and twice in the six round. Magda wins every round.
Christian Molina KO 1 Stacey Anderson (Debut), Junior Welterweights (2:38)
4-0 Molina wasted no time getting debuting street fighter Anderson out of there.
Ivan Golub Win 6 David Lopez, Junior Middleweights
Still unpolished 5-0 Golub got taken the distance by 19 bout veteran Lopez of Idaho.
Juan Dominguez TKO5 Carlos Santana Rodriguez, Super Bantamweights (2:25)
17-0 Dominguez took target practice, dropping Rodriguez three times in the second round.
Danny Kelley TKO 1 Kevin Franklin, Heavyweights (2:11)
Rising heavyweight power hitter Kelley landed lethal body shots, Franklin down and out.
Robert Irizarry Win 4 Benjamin Burgos, Featherweights
Short 3-0-1 Camden fighter Irizarry outworked tall more experienced Burgos, now 2-11-1.
Paul Koon Win 4 Rex Harris, Heavyweights
Battle between unbeaten Pennsylvania fighters, won by former amateur champion Koon.
Christopher Brooker TKO 1 Andrew Sosa, Super Middleweights (2:26)
In opening bout of the card, Philadelphia’sBrooker debuts over winless Sosa of Texas.
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