Robert Brizel, in Rare Corner Appearance, Scores An Upset in Wyomissing
By Mike Melendez, Ring Announcer Reporting For Real Combat Media
*Photo Credit: Patspotrsphoto-Dean Patton Photo
Wyomissing, PA (October 27th, 2014)– Never underestimate the value of hard work. Never underestimate sportswriter Robert Brizel for that matter, whose 40 years of reporting experience at ringside could be easily underestimated by looking at him, as the Wyomissing crowd soon learned. Brizel, who writes boxing on the internet currently for Real Combat Media, is also a licensed manager and trainer in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
After reporting at ringside in his suit jacket and tie for the amateur card at The Inn at Reading in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, on Friday night, October 24, 2014, Brizel switched into his second’s clothes, and returned to ringside for the four bout professional card. The Pro-Am card was promoted by rising area promoter Andre Acuna’s Lionheart promotion. Brizel’s fighter, 1-5-1 light middleweight Dominique Foster of Hilliard, Ohio, has no knockouts on his record. Foster, however, surprised the local crowd as he came in for the bout well-trained, in the best condition of his career. Poised to score the upset, he did.
Foster’s opponent, light middleweight Nicholas Hernandez, was making his professional debut after an impressive amateur career. In his last two amateur bouts, Hernandez defeated Reading trainer Marshall Kauffman’s top 152 amateur at Santander Arena by three round decision, and then defeated top 152 pounder Luis Taylor of Chicago at the Crowne Plaza in Wyomissing. Brizel was ringside for both of those amateur bouts as reporter, and was well-versed with the style of Hernandez.
Both Foster and Hernandez tried to get the best of each other on the inside during the first two rounds, with Foster walking Hernandez down as he moved side to side, forcing nonstop exchanges. Brizel repeatedly told Foster to counter over Hernandez’ lazy left with the right hand, an approach not tried by the opposing corners in Hernandez previous two bouts. The first two rounds were close, with nonstop action, proving hard to score as both fighters were throwing.
Midway through the third round, Foster finally landed a power counter right hook over Hernandez’ low left hand and decked him. The knockdown, the only knockdown of the night, brought the shocked Reading crowd to its feet and Hernandez wound up on the canvas badly hurt on all fours. Hernandez somehow beat the count, and held on for dear life to survive the round as Foster continued outworking him for 10-8 round.
In the fourth round, Brizel, working the no swell on Foster’s right eyebrow due to redness, told Foster to throw everything he had with the bout on the table and go for broke. Hernandez, who had not fully recovered from the shocking knockdown, was backing up and taking punches from Foster, who moved forward with pressure and outworked the surprised Hernandez again. Brizel, knowing in all probability the bout was on the table in the fourth and final round, continued shouting at Foster to throw everything he had with both hands to the bitter end. Brizel came in to win, and in the end, the local crowd had to acknowledge it had seen a great one. Foster, to his credit, listened to his cornerman, and was rewarded for fighting a smart fight. One local judge saw it decisively 40-35 for Foster.
Result: Dominique Foster Win 4 Nicholas Hernandez (Debut), Light Middleweights, Upset
Scoring: 38-37, 38-37, 40-35 Foster. Referee: Gary Rosato. Robert Brizel in Foster’s corner
In another bout on the Reading undercard, muscular 38 year old Louisiana cruiserweight
veteran Dan Bolden exposed the 7-3-2 with six knockouts padded record of Reading’s Jeremy Stauffer, punching him through the ring ropes and draping him over the middle ropes for a TKO at 2:53 of the first round. Bolden, a powerful fighter with a deceiving losing record who fought 35 bout veteran Martin Verdin in his professional debut, was not fooled by Stauffer. Starting well, Stauffer foolishly tried to take the stronger Bolden out. and was finished in the first by Bolden,an experienced fighter with skills and power.
Reading Professional Bout Results, Referee Gary Rosato
Dominique Foster Win 4 Nicholas Hernandez (Debut), Light Middleweights, Upset
Scoring: 40-35, 38-37, 38-37 Foster. Hernandez was down in the third round.
Dan Bolden TKO 1 Jeremy Stauffer, Cruiserweights (2:53)
Travis ‘The Animal’ Thompson Win Split Decision 4 Greg Coverson Jr., Lightweights
Scoring: 39-37, 39-37 Thompson. 39-37 Coverson (Judge Bernardo Bruni for Coverson)
Reading fighter Thompson’s corner proposes six round rematch in Lebanon November 29.
Erik Spring Win 4 Tommy Ayers, Middleweights (Main Event)
Scoring: 39-37, 39-37, 39-37 Spring
Final bout of the evening featuring 4-0 Reading middleweight prospect Erik Spring.
Reading middleweight Erik Spring commented on his win. “It was a very tough fight. He (Ayers) was a brawler right hander. I came out to prove myself. We (my corner) stuck to the game plan, to stay calm and just pick our shots, and work the body. Ayers held me a lot. There was some frustration dealing with it. I stuck to the game plan and got the win.”
Amateur Bouts, Referee Bernardo Bruni, Two Minute Rounds
Reported by Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Eric Martinez Win 3 Nick O’Niel, 55 pounds novice
Johnny Rivera Win TKO 3 Yoruba Morey (0:40), 55 pounds novice
Jawanza Dillard Win 3 Nick Rummer, 141 pounds novice
Xavier Ramirez Win 3 Marquell Bradford, 95 pounds novice
Michael Crockett Win 3 Marquan Dix, 65 pounds novice
Israel Flores Win 3 Garcia Ramos, 127 pounds novice
Felix Alvarado Win 3 David Lopez, 132 pounds novice
Zhane Crockett Win 3 Sharhya Morey, Female 137 pounds novice
Dontry Gibson Win 3 Jorge Diaz Jr., 152 pounds novice
Otha Jones Win 3 Joseph Adorno, 119 pounds novice
Professional light middleweight boxers Harry Yorgey and Kermit Cintron presented the amateur championship fighter of the night belt to Xavier Ramirez of East Reading Gym.
Local participants represented the East Reading Boxing Club, Philadelphia Rock Ministries, Allentown Boxing, Poconos Boxing, Blyweiss Boxing in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster Golden Gloves Boxing with trainer Barry Stumpf. Out of state amateurs came from Dover Delaware, Albuquerque New Mexico and the Toledo Ohio boxing clubs.
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