Iceman Malik Hawkins Wins WBA-NABA USA Welterweight Title at Fillmore in Philly
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Philadelphia, PA (March 31st, 2018)– The boxing trunks of ‘Iceman’ Malik Hawkins read ‘Freezer Time!’ Fighting in enemy territory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the main event of an eight-bout card at The Fillmore, on Saturday evening, March 30, 2018, Hawkins won a unanimous decision over veteran Raymond ‘Tito’ Serrano of Philadelphia win the vacant World Boxing Association NABA USA Welterweight title at The Fillmore in only his thirteenth professional bout.
Hawkins, now 13-0, nine knockouts, Baltimore, Maryland, achieved immediate success in rounds one and two against Serrano, 24-5 with 10 knockouts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by using his superior height and reach advantage to force Serrano off balance. Serrano attempted to wage a technical war, and use his experience and ring generalship to keen advantage. However, the taller Hawkins proved an awkward target. Hawkins was able to penetrate Serrano’s defense with overhand power shots while keeping Serrano out of distance range.
Serrano next moved to a ‘Plan B’, and attempted to get inside on his taller opponent to neutralize his reach advantage. Serrano got continuously hit with thunderous uppercuts on the inside, forcing Serrano to clinch and hold and do the tango all night whenever he got in close, and he could not stop Hawkins from landing on the inside. Serrano did have two or three decent rounds close enough to perhaps give him the round. However, losing at least four of the first five rounds, and spending most of the bout holding, proved to be too much to overcome. The bout was fought cleanly, with only Hawkins being warned once for an accidental low blow.
The full version of Serrano’s interim WBC Fecarbox Welterweight title, won in his previous bout by eighth-round disqualification over 10-0 Enver Halili, is now held by New Jersey’s Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna, who drew with Gabriel Bracero in defense of that belt. No word as to whether LaManna, who was present at last night’s bout between Serrano and Hawkins, has any interest in fighting Serrano after Serrano’s third decision loss in his last six bouts. Serrano’s five career losses have come at the hands of contenders with a combined record of 91 wins, one loss and one draw at the time he fought them, four of them undefeated. Most fighters are not Rocky Marciano or Floyd Mayweather Jr. Add to that the fact Hawkins has had quality sparring in Las Vegas with Gervonta Davis, and a confused Serrano could not mount an offense against Hawkins or come up with a working game plan. The Philly fight crowd was left in disappointment. Serrano, who turns 33 years old in October, will probably return but will never get a world title career opportunity.
Result: Malik ‘Iceman’ Hawkins Win 10 Raymond ‘Tito’ Serrano, Welterweights
Scoring: 98-92, 97-93, 96-94 for Hawkins
Referee: Shawn Clark
Hawkins Wins Vacant World Boxing Association NABA-USA Welterweight Title
World Boxing Association Supervisor: George Martinez
If Serrano had won two more rounds, the bout would have been a split draw
Undercard Bout Results at The Fillmore, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Referees: Shawn Clark, Ron Bashir
Jeremy Cuevas Win 6 Efrain Cruz, Lightweights (59-55, 59-55, 59-55)
In the ‘Fight of the Night’, 8-0 Philadelphia lightweight prospect Cuevas, showboating in round two, suddenly got decked by a short power shot thrown by hungry Puerto Rican opponent Carlos Monzon lookalike Cruz, who came into this bout in world class condition wearing the classic Everlast boxing trunks, and whose 4-4 record proved to be deceiving. The crowd went crazy when local prospect Cuevas got knocked down, but he got up and came back to win. The forever lesson is obvious: never underestimate your opponent.
Darmani Rock KO 2 Ronny Hale, Heavyweights (1:07)
Kaboom! 11-0 Philly heavyweight Rock knocked out blubbery bellied and out of shape 4-12 Texas journeyman Hale with a left hook to the head, and a left hook to body. Ten count.
Brandon Pizarro Win 4 Pablo Cupul, Lightweights (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Real story here was game brave Mexican journeyman Cupul fought alone, as his two cornermen could not get visas to fly to United States. Originally scheduled for six rounds.
Samuel Teah TKO 1 Orlando Rizo, Lightweights (2:33)
31-2-1 Philly lightweight Teah dropped Nicaraguan journeyman three times in first round.
Ronald Ellis Win 6 Taneal Goyco, Super Middleweights (60-53, 60-53, 59-55)
15-0-2 Massachusetts super middleweight prospect Ellis got taken on a trip to hell by Philly 9-11-1 trialhorse Goyco, who was dangerous throughout swinging for the rafters for a lucky knockout punch but kept missing. Goyco slip caused glove to touch canvas and cost him a point as referee Shawn Clark called it a knockdown. Ellis tried to take Goyco out in the first. Goyco survived, and then Ellis fought cautiously so as not to punch himself out.
Tramaine Williams Win 6 Antonio Rodriguez, Featherweights (60-53, 59-55, 58-56)
15-0 Connecticut featherweight prospect Williams could not get 12-21-1 Mexican journeyman Rodriguez out of there, who courageously went the distance. Scorecard outrage. Williams won all six rounds. One ‘blind’ judge somehow had it 58-56 Williams.
A brief stoppage in the action in round six, as Rodriguez claimed he had been headbutted, and referee Ron Bashir checked it out. Rodriguez got a nasty bloody cut off the corner of the right eye from what was ruled a legitimate punch. The ringside doctor ruled Rodriguez good and could finish the bout. The brief break in the action gave Rodriguez recovery time.
Joey Alday Jr. TKO 3 Mike Crain, Light Middleweights (1:28)
The opening bout at The Fillmore. Matchmaker mismatch, with 7-0 Texas light middleweight prospect Alday battering and torturing 1-2 Delaware opponent Crain by knocking him down in the second and third rounds. For some it’s a future, for others it’s a paycheck.
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