Niyazov Wins Salita Detroit Brawl Main Event in Exciting Contest
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent-Ringside
Photo Credit: *Photo Credit: Brad Snyder / The Undercard
Detroit, Michigan (February 7th, 2016)– In the main event of an eight bout card called Detroit Brawl, promoted by Dmitriy Salita’s Star of David Promotions, at the Detroit Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday evening, February 6, 2015, Dimash Niyazov, a Brooklyn, New York lightweight from Kazakhstan, 9-0-3 with four knockdowns, scored an impressive six round unanimous decision over Detroit, Michigan local clubfighter James ‘Bad Boy”’ Lester, 10-10 with four knockouts. Niyazov used consistent head movement and foot movement, and kept firing jabs which scored, with reach advantage, good timing, and a good work rate. Lester went into a defensive shell and never came out his turtle approach to the bout, as he was unable to keep Niyazov off him. At one point, a Niyazov push of Lester was scored a knockdown.
Lester had one good round, the third round, which was a bit closer, perhaps enough to win one round on two scorecards. His counter opportunities were rare, and Lester held most times just to survive.
Result: Dimash Niyazov Win 6 James Lester, Lightweights
Scoring: 59-54, 58-55, 58-55 Niyazov. Referee: Gerard White
In the preliminary bout to the main event, the ending of the bout could result in an appeal to the Michigan Athletic Commission. Bantamweight James Gordon Smith scored a controversial second round knockout over Antwan Robertson. Smith’s opponent, Antwan Robertson, scored a knockdown when Smith’s glove touched the floor. Robertson rushed in to tag Smith while referee Frank Garza was still deciding if a knockdown had occurred. Garza then gave Smith a count. In the scenario which followed, Smith tagged Robertson, who dropped to one knee. Smith then punched Robertson on the floor. Referee Garza then counted out Robertson, who stayed down, perhaps looking to win by disqualification.
The key understanding of what had unfolded was this. Referee Garza had not signaled Smith to the neutral corner. Smith was still supposed to go to the neutral corner. Though this reporter was at ringside, it could not be determined whether Smith’s illegal punch was accidental or intentional. If it was accidental, the bout could be declared a no contest. If it was intentional, Robertson could win by disqualification. Smith is now 9-0 with six knockouts, Detroit, Michigan.
After the controversial ending, one of Robertson’s corner men went bonkers in the ring, shouting madly in protest at referee Garza, which did help Robertson’s cause for a disqualification ruling. The outcome will be appealed.
Result: James Gordon Smith KO 2 Antwan Robertson, Bantamweights (2:21)
In round 2, Smith knocked out Robertson while on the canvas on one knee. No foul was called. Robertson scored a knockdown earlier when Smith’s glove touched the canvas.
Referee: Frank Garza
Undercard Bouts at Detroit Masonic Temple
Referees: Gerard White and Frank Garza
Ed Williams Win 6 Angel Figueroa, Welterweights
Williams wins vacant Universal Boxing Federation Midwest Welterweight title
Eudy Bernardo KO 2 Bed Odamattey, Welterweights (1:18)
James Ballard TKO 4 Nathan Bedwell, Light Heavyweights (1:39)
Emilio Salas TKO 2 Karinn Davis, Cruiserweights (2:16)
Serdar Hubaybardiyev (Debut) TKO 4 Kevin Shacks, Super Welterweights (1:33)
Kane Heron TKO 1 Brian Otey, Super Welterweights (1:33)
Many thanks to Detroit and Dearborn area promoter Eddie Jaafar, and his brothers Tony Jaafar and Steve Jaafar, for playing host to this reporter in Dearborn, Michigan, during my first visit to cover a boxing card in Detroit. Many thanks to Dmitriy Salita, who donated water to the needy residents of Flint, Michigan, and promoted a nice boxing card for the people and showcased some of the new young boxing prospects of Detroit.. Many thanks to the kind members of the Michigan Athletic Commission who were kind to me at ringside. Many thanks to the people of Detroit and Dearborn, and to the Detroit Masons, for their warm welcome. Most of all, many thanks to Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns, the ‘Motor City Cobra’, for granting me and Real Combat Media an exclusive interview during the boxing card. Area promoter Eddie Jaafar also filmed a video documentary I narrated inside the remains of the legendary original Kronk Gym, which will be posted later.
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