Farmer Decisions Zenunaj, Retains NABF Title in Philadelphia
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent- Ringside
Philadelphia, PA (December 4th, 2016)– Despite entering the bout with an injured left hand, Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer retained his North American Boxing Federation with a 10 round decision over game Dardan Zenunaj in the main event of an eight bout card at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday evening, December 2, 2016, promoted by Russell Peltz Promotions, Brittany Rogers BAM Promotions, and and Lou DiBella Entertainment, sponsored by Coors Light and PARX Casino, broadcast on Gofightlive.tv.
Farmer, 24-4-1 with five knockouts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, won his seventeenth straight bout, and moved closer to a world title shot, and perhaps a rematch with current IBF World Junior Lightweight champion Jose Pedraza. Farmer, forced to rely on his right hand lead, allowed Zenunaj to come inside and fight the 10 round bout in a telephone booth. To his credit, Zenunnaj came forward swinging all night and did not let Farmer off the hook. Press at ringside had Farmer as the winner of the close bout 96-94 (Ken Hissner) and 96-95 (Real Combat Media), far closer than the judges had it for Farmer. It was clear Farmer won the last three rounds-and the bout-by solidly outworking Zenunaj, 12-3, nine knockouts, Los Angeles, California. It was just the bout was closer than the scorecards.
Both fighters appeared waiting for the other fighter to punch himself out, and when the bout went into the later rounds, Farmer had more activity than Zenunaj. Both lacked knockout power, though Farmer landed the harder shots. It was expected Zenunaj would need a knockout to win in Philadelphia country. He opted for a technical bout instead, and did not get the bout on the cards, though he deserved to do a bit better on the scorecards. Farmer’s challenge in this bout was being unable to shake the persistent Zenunaj, who paced himself well, and functioned like a nonstop punching machine. Against such an opponent, you have to throw combinations, keep punching in return, and try to land power shots which will eventually break your opponent down. Farmer has gone 10 rounds three times. This was the first 10 rounder for Zenunaj, who was in unfamiliar territory in rounds nine and 10 and slowed down enough for Farmer to close the show strongly.
Result: Tevin Farmer Win 10 Dardan Zenunaj, Junior Lightweights (98-92, 98-92, 99-91)
Farmer Retains North American Boxing Federation Junior Lightweight Title
WBC NABF Supervisor: Jill Diamond. Referee: Shawn Clark
In Attendance: Russell Peltz, Lou DiBella, Jason Sosa, Jesse Hart, Harold Lederman
2300 Arena Undercard Bouts
Referees: Shawn Clark, Benji Esteves Jr., Hurley McCall
Garrett Wilson Win Majority Decision 6 Lamont Capers, Cruiserweights
Short powerful Wilson, the jackal, chased tap punch track runner Capers all night!
Jose Chocolito Gonzalez Win 4 Tim Ibarra, Junior Lightweights
Opening bout of the eight bout card. New York City’s Chocolito Gonzalez now 6-0-1.
Roque Zapata Win 4 Isaiah Wise, Super Welterweights
Panamanian Zapata took 3-0 Philly fighter Wise on a toe-to-toe four round trip to hell.
Victor Padilla (Pro Debut) KO 2 Kimmy St. Pierre, Lightweights
National Golden Gloves champ Padilla debuts. Quebec’s Pierre took ten count on one knee.
Marcel Rivers (Pro Debut) TKO 1 Tony Kim (Pro Debut), Welterweights (0:41)
Both fighters debut. Philly prospect Rivers put Kim down twice with brutal head shots.
Joseph Adorno (Pro Debut) TKO 1 Guy Newman, Super Featherweights (1:37)
Allentown, Pennsylvania super featherweight Adorno, nicknamed ‘Fast Hands’, debuts.
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