Dusty Harrison and Ray Edwards Win Big at 2300 Arena on CBS
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent-Ringside
*Photos Copyright Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Philadelphia, PA (September 16th, 2016)– Washington D.C. welterweight Dusty Harrison is undefeated in his first 31 pro bouts, and for good reason. He fights like a pit bull chewing pieces out of telephone book, who keeps coming, and is oblivious to pain. Harrison also knows the welterweight division, and his opponent, Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna, was fighting for the first time in the division.
In the main event of an eight bout card on the CBS Sports Network on Thursday evening, September 15, 2016, a 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, promoted by Peltz Boxing, Final Forum, and GH3 Promotions, Harrison won a unanimous 10 round decision to win the vacant USBA Welterweight title. The 10 round bout between Harrison, 30-0-1 with 16 knockouts, Washington. D.C., and LaManna, now 21-2 with nine knockouts, Millville, New Jersey, evolved immediately into a nasty brawl.
LaManna did well the two rounds, and the fifth round, but not enough to win any other rounds. Then Harrison began to turn the tide. Harrison was throwing more punches, and punches which had more power. LaManna perhaps landed three good punches of consequence the entire bout. Harrison continued to trade with LaManna, his confidence building when he realized he was unmarked for the most part. By round five, LaManna looked somewhat tired, and Harrison, coming forward with punches and pressure relentlessly, forced LaManna to hold wherever possible from that point. Harrison simply outworked LaManna in rounds six through ten in workmanlike fashion.
It appeared LaManna’s corner, owing to Harrison’s 10 round draw with Mike Dallas Jr. in his previous fight, entering this bout believing LaManna had greater range and depth of experience than Harrison. However, Harrison’s performance against Dallas was not a loss, and LaManna has no major wins over a top ten contender. Therefore the Harrison ten round draw result with Dallas is more credible. A review of Harrison’s record reveals he has fought his entire career between 145 and 152 pounds. 23 of his 31 bouts have been fought at welterweight. LaManna’s only bout at welterweight is his bout with Harrison. By the ninth round, LaManna’s left eye was looking swollen, and his lack of expertise in the welterweight division was obvious. LaManna should have fought a few tune up bouts at welterweight first, before jumping into a USBA title fight.
Harrison landed better, harder, more consistent jabs, combinations, and body and head punches. LaManna had height and reach, and Harrison had to fight his way inside to do damage, and he did just that, with LaManna trying only to survive in the tenth and final round. Harrison outworked LaManna, and did what he had to do, and his victory was well-deserved. Real Combat Media scored the bout 98-95 for Harrison. Giving Harrison the last five rounds.
LaManna wisely avoided Harrison’s constant fighting along the ropes trap, trying to bait LaManna in. Even when fighting in center ring, LaManna was consistently outworked in seven of the 10 rounds, and the fight was not close. The heart and determination of both fighters was never in doubt, and CBS had a telecast winner.
Result: Dusty Harrison Win 10 Thomas LaManna, Welterweights
Harrison wins the vacant USBA Welterweight title. No knockdowns or fouls.
Scoring: 98-92, 97-93, 97-93 Harrison. Referee: Gary Rosato.
In the preliminary to the main event, ex-NFL football player and heavyweight prospect Ray Edwards, in his best performance to date, won an impressive six round decision over Dan Pasciolla in a bout which was not close. Pasciolla, who holds the New Jersey Heavyweight title, tried to fight Edwards as a counter puncher, but the approach did not work. Unlike the late Roland LaStarza, the famed heavyweight counterpuncher who fought Rocky Marciano twice, Pasciolla did not have an opponent like Rocky Marciano who punched nonstop.
Edwards, 6’5” to Pasciolla’s 6’4” and slightly bigger in size and reach, picked his shots carefully, stayed out of distance range, and forced Pasciolla to try to figure out a way to reach him. Pasciolla had no ‘Plan B’, and the bout lumbered along quietly until it ended.
As it was the three judges went three different ways, all for Edwards.
Result: Ray Edwards Win 6 Dan Pasciolla, Heavyweights
Scoring: 60-54, 59-55, 58-56 Referee: Gary Rosato
2300 Arena Undercard
Referees: Gary Rosato, Eric Dali, Shawn Clarke
Anthony Young RTD 4 Malik Jackson, Super Welterweights
Jackson down in first and fourth rounds. Corner retirement.
Kenneth Sims Jr. Win 6 Gilberto Venegas, Welterweights
Far closer bout than the 60-54 scorecards indicated. Venegas went toe to toe all night!
Devin Haney TKO 5 Mike Fowler, Lightweights (0:33)
Now 10-0, seventeen year old prospect Haney showed future world champion potential.
Daryl Gause TKO 2 Daryl Bunting, Super Middleweights (2:14)
In minor upset, Gause dropped Bunting in first, staggered him off ropes in second.
Leroy Davila, KO 2 Edgar Cortez, Super Bantamweights (2:03)
Davila knockout out track runner Cortez on his back in second. Ringside doctor rushed into the ring during Rosato’s count, immediately ending the contest. See photo above.
Jaron Ennis Win 4 Eddie Diaz, Welterweights
Ennis is the 19 year old brother of boxers Derrick and Farah Ennis. Unanimous decision.
6-0 Jaron lost to Gary Antuanne Russell in light welterweight final of 2016 Olympic Trials.
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