Rainmaker Melson Survives Near Ring Collapse, Cruz Survives Near Upset at BB King
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent- Ringside
New York, NY (December 5th, 2013)–Middleweight Boyd ‘The Rainmaker’ Melson may be fighting for his own destiny, but his fate was almost in the hands of the Gods in the main event of a sold out 11 bout card at BB King Blues Club & Grill in New York City on Wednesday evening, December 4, 2013. Melson, now 12-1-1, 3 knockouts, New York City, who fights for charity, was close to knocking out opponent Gundrick ‘Shogun’ King of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 18-11, 11 knockouts, when several boards broke off the front of the ring in front of ring officials and part of the ring floor sagged in one spot. After a five minute delay, the bout resumed, and a refreshed King, benefiting from the breather, managed to survive the distance.
Melson stated in a post fight interview he was trying for the knockout with hard liver shots, but the shorter King had considerable extra fat at his lower midsection, and just wouldn’t go. Melson squared up after the brief break in the action to go toe-to-toe, but King landed some heavy shots and the change in strategy didn’t work. Still, Melson won every round coming forward with jabs and power shots from both hands, and the outcome was never in doubt. The crowd loudly enjoyed the action for the popular local fighter Melson.
Result: Boyd Melson Win 8 Gundrick King, Middleweights
Scoring: 80-72, 80-72, 80-72 for Melson.
Referee Earl Brown stopped the bout in round five due to a sagging ring, which was fixed.
In the preliminary to the main event, area junior lightweight prospect Bryant ‘Pee Wee’ Cruz of Port Chester, New York, survived a near upset to win a six round decision over Joshua Arocho of Vineland, New Jersey. Arocho decked Cruz along the ropes due some furious first round toe-to-toe action. Cruz beat the count and came back to jab his way to victory, winning the next five rounds on technical skill.
Former middleweight contender Craig McEwan of Scotland washed up on the undercard, and was unable to win for the third time in his last four bouts, getting knocked down and taking and technical beating from journeyman Dashon Johnson of Escondido, California and losing a six round decision. McEwan was not landing punches, and the shorter Johnson was landing power shots with considerable consistency. McEwan, who gave a good accounting of himself in bouts with Peter Quillin and Andy Lee in 2011, looked rusty.
Gabriel Tito Bracero, Buddy McGirt, Ronnie Shields, and HBO’s Harold Lederman were among those luminaries in attendance at the Lou DiBella Entertainment show. Ring announcer David Diamante provided the commentary.
Undercard Results at BB King Blues Club & Grill, December 6, 2013
Referees: Gary Rosato, Earl Brown, ShadaMurdaugh, Steve Willis
Jerry Odom TKO 1 Eric Moon, Super Middleweights (2:47)
FrancyNtetu Win Disqualification 3 Julio Garcia, Super Middleweights (2:34)
Daniel Gonzalez Win TKO 3 Karim Muhammad, Junior Lightweights (2:40)
NeukySantelises Win 4 JoselizCepeda, Junior Lightweights
Junior Younan KO 1 Travis McLaren, Super Middleweights (0:22)
Antoine Douglas TKO 3 Colby Courter, Middleweights (1:12)
Travis Peterkin Win TKO 5 Tylon Burris, Light Heavytweights (doctor stops bout)
Bryant Pee Wee Cruz Win 6 Joshua Arocho, Junior Lightweights.
Dashon Johnson Win 6 Craig McEwan, Super Middleweights.
Luis Rosa Win TKO 3 Andre Wilson, Featherweights (2:24)
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