Glorious Night of Heavyweight Fights
By: Lita B. Kaufman, RCM Ringside Reporter
SUNRISE, FL (Nov. 26, 2013)– What a night of heavyweight action at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fl. World Class boxing broadcast live by FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.
Golden Boy Live! presented their Tuesday Night boxing series which showcased heavyweights Antonio Tarver and Mike Sheppard in the main event fighting for the vacant Interim NABA Heavyweight title which was up for grabs. This 10-round bout for the vacant Interim NABA Heavyweight title was presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The evenings events were held at BB&T Center doors and the first bell rang at 7:00 p.m. ET. FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes bilingual simulcast aired live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
The evening’s 10-round co-main event showed undefeated bantamweight Randy “El Matador” Caballero making his Florida debut against Jessy Cruz of Miami who is a southpaw. This excellent night of boxing also featured two additional heavyweight showdowns and a light heavyweight bout on the undercard.
BOUT 8 – The Main Event
Vacant Interim NABA Heavyweight Title – 10 Rounds
Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) vs. Mike Sheppard (21-15-1, 9 KO’s)
This bout was supposed to be a 10 round heavyweight bout for the vacant interim NABA title. Luckily, Tarver ended the fight by TKO in the 4th round as I predicted. The new strap holder was sluggish, breathing heavy and lethargic beginning in the 1st round although Sheppard entered the ring looking like he just got out of a ring from another fight and stepped in with Tarver immediately after. Sheppard’s power shots were matched by the number of times he went to the canvas. After the fight, Tarver said he has ring rust, still has a thirst for boxing and his book is not closed. He also stated that at age 45, youth is still on his side. If that is the case and he intends to stay in the game, he needs to shape up! It was an unimpressive fight.
BOUT 7 – Co-Main Event – Bantamweights – 10 Rounds
Wearing his RIP my good friend Frankie Leal shirt, Randy Caballero (18-0, 15 KO’s) out maneuvered his opponent Jessy Cruz (10-5, 4 KO’s) through most of the fight. Cruz was knocked down twice in the 10h and lost by TKO.
BOUT 6 – Light Heavyweights – 10 Rounds
Thomas Williams, Jr. (15-0, 11 KO’s) was by far the hardest hitting, best skilled fighter of the night. He won against Yusef Mack (31-7-2, 17 KO’s) by pummeling Mack’s head and body with a barrage of combinations. Mack had no choice but to maintain his defense throughout the fight but was unable to offensively execute a plan for success. He seemed to come to life in the bottom of the 8th but that was not enough for him to overcome losing the remainder of the fight.
BOUT 5 – Heavyweights – 10 Rounds
Luis Ortiz (18-0, 15KO’s) came out fists blazing and in a brief exchange with Alex Gonzalez (20-9, 10 KO’s) won by TKO in round 1. It was rumored that Alex Gonzalez broke his hand shortly after the fight began.
BOUT 4 – Heavyweights – 6 Rounds
Dominic Breazeale (8-0, 8 KO’s) won a 2nd round TKO against Keith Barr (11-5, 3 KO’s). Both men came out strong but Barr’s brawling style was a surprise. Breazaele quickly overcame him with strength and speed and dominated the rest of the fight which ended at 2:29 in the round 2.
BOUT 3 – Welterweights – 4 Rounds
In this second best fight of the night, Erickson Lubin, now (1-0, 1KO) who also made is Pro Debut this evening annihilated Eric De Jesus (1-1, 1 KO) by winning by TKO in round 1.
BOUT 2 – Lightweights – 4 Rounds
An impressive Albert Bell (3-0, 1 KO) won by UD against Angel Hernandez (1-3).
BOUT 1 – Junior Lightweights – 4 Rounds
In his Pro Debut, Dennis Galarza, now (1-0, 1KO) earns a TKO in round 1 against Harold Torres (0-4).
COMMENTS
English