Professor Chuck Mussachio Wins Rematch at Claridge Hotel Casino in Atlantic City
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Atlantic City, NJ (May 29th, 2016)– In the featured attraction bout of the evening at Claridge Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Friday May 27, 2016, on a card promoted by Thomas LaManna’s Rising Star Promotions, cruiserweight Chuck ‘The Professor’ Mussachio made a comeback after 39 months inactivity with a six round unanimous decision over Willies Lockett.
Lockett weighed in over 205 ¾ pounds to Mussachio’s 183 pounds, in a rematch of their September 2008 draw. Mussachio noted after winning the rematch that “tickets had been sold, so I had to go through with it and get the job done.”
Mussachio, 19-3-2 with five knockouts, Wildwood, New Jersey, had weighed 172 pounds in the original match, going up in weight only 11 pounds. On the other hand, Lockett, 14-17-5 with five knockouts, Tacoma Park, Maryland weighed 170 pounds in the original match, and went up in weight over 35 pounds! Despite the weight disparity, Mussachio, appearing in better condition and lighter in feet, got the job done this time, better than the 2008 draw, as he weighed less and moved better than the heavy handed but slower moving Lockett.
Despite weighing heavier than before, Willis Lockett, age 39, remained dangerous throughout, looking to land the big bomb shot. Lockett’s most recent five opponents had a respectable combined record of 66-5 when he fought them. Mussachio jabbed while moving in and out, and moved side to side, winning rounds one through four, and round six, avoiding most of Lockett’s power shot attempts. Lockett landed a few good shots here and there when Mussachio got caught on the ropes, which was not often.
Lockett did appear to win the fifth round, when a few more of his power shots got through than the other rounds, and Mussachio went more on the defensive. The three scorecards of the judges all had Chuck Mussachio ahead-but by different scores-which still goes to show you never know how the judges will view a bout. That’s what makes boxing interesting.
Result: Chuck Mussachio Win 5 Willie Lockett, Cruiserweights
Mussachio weighed 182 pounds. Lockett weighed at 205 ¾ pounds.
Lockett was over the 200 pound cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds.
Mussachio agreed to the bout anyway.
Scoring: 60-54, 59-55, and 58-56 for Mussachio.
Rematch of an eight round draw fought in September 2008.
Referee: Ricardo Vera
In the final bout of the evening, heavyweight Isaiah Seldon, 9-1 with three knockouts, Somers Point, New Jersey, in his second comeback win after a 33 month layoff, won a six round unanimous decision over a game Eddie Edmond, but it wasn’t easy.
Edmond, 4-5-2 with one knockout, Newark, New Jersey, turned the bout a bit dirty, trying to hit behind the head, and holding frequently. Edmond lost a point in round four when a strange hold twisted the fighters all of the ring, and Edmond refused to let go. Edmond lost another point when a glove touched the canvas in the sixth round, counted as a knockdown. Seldon won at least four or five rounds of the six rounder, so the outcome of the bout was never in doubt. Seldon landed some wicked power shots throughout the contest, and Edmonds surprisingly took them well, turning to holding when he was in survival mode.
Result: Isiah Seldon Win 6 Eddie Edmond, Heavyweights
Scoring: 59-54, 58-54, and 59-53 for Seldon.
Referee: Allan Huggins
Edmonds lost a point for holding in the fourth round.
Seldon scored a knockdown in round six when Edmonds’ glove touched the canvas.
Claridge Hotel and Casino Undercard Bouts
Referees: Ricardo Vera and Eric Dali
Lamont Capers Win Split Decision 8 Nick Kisner, Cruiserweights
Lamont ‘Too Smooth’ Capers wins 77-74 on two judges’ scorecards to score the upset.
Quon Johnson (Pro Debut) TKO 4 Adrian Wilson, Super Welterweights (2:15)
Debuting Johnson knocks down Atlantic City’s Wilson twice in first, and twice in fourth.
Quian Davis Majority Draw 4 Solomon Maye, Heavyweights
Seven of 1-6-2 Solomon Maye’s opponents were undefeated at the time Maye fought them.
Leroy Davila (Pro Debut) TKO 2 Dominic Whitehurst (Pro Debut), Bantamweights (2:34)
Both bantamweight fighters debut. Davila wins by second round KO.
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