13996090_10208705076976107_9026761272763991977_o
14115630_10205268690877390_7129078475242701501_o

Heather Hardy Defeats Shelly Vincent for WBC Title, Spence Kayos Aging Bundu

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

*Photo Credit: John Gatling 

Coney Island, NY (August 22, 2016)– In two featured televised bouts on NBC Sports Network broadcast from Ford Amphitheatre on the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, New York, promoted by DiBella Entertainment, on Sunday, August 21, 2016, Heather Hardy won a majority 10 round decision over Shelly Vincent, while Errol Spence Jr. knocked down, then knocked out an aging Leonard Bundu in the sixth round.

Hardy, 18-0 with four knockouts, Brooklyn, New York, was chased for this bout by Vincent, 18-1 with one knockout, Providence, Rhode Island, for two and a half years, since Vincent began shouting at ringside in the Roseland Ballroom on February 12, 2014, claiming Hardy had just gotten a gift split decision over eight rounds over 2-4-4 Christina Fuentes or Laredo, Texas. Chief Inspector Felix Figueroa intervened during the lengthy ringside taunt, argument and callout, and died later that evening after the final show at Roseland Ballroom ended.

Lou DiBella, who promoted Hardy, eventually also signed Vincent, and over the course of 30 months both fighters reached a combined 35-0. DiBella also signed WBO World female Featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, 29-1-1, with the three female featherweights combining for an incredible 64-1-1 under Lou DiBella’s current guidance, wisdom and promotional expertise.

Hardy had height and legs, and at 34, had a bit more youth than Vincent, 37, whose tattoos and multicolor hairdo added to the weirdness of the match. Hardy fought Vincent’s fight and went toe-to-toe for most of the bout on the inside. At times both fighters exchanged their bombs, but neither possessed the knockout blow. Any of the rounds were close, but not the last three, which belonged to Hardy as Vincent tired slightly. Vincent threw more punches overall, while Hardy landed more and landed the more effective blows.

Scoring did not appear to be neutral and fair, with one judge scoring the bout 95-95 a draw, while another judge had it 99-91 for Hardy. Vincent won three or four rounds, and the judge who scored it 97-93 was probably closest to correct. Vincent had issue with the scoring, and felt she won the bout. Vincent stated afterwards “I in no way lost that fight!!!!! I knew going into New York (Brooklyn, site of the bout, is Hardy’s hometown territory) what it (the situation) was. Stevie Wonder can see all those numbers (even a blind man can see the judge’s scorecards) were bogus.”

Result: Heather Hardy Win 10 Shelly Vincent, Featherweights

Hardy Wins Vacant World Boxing Council Female International Featherweight title

Scoring: 95-95 Draw. 99-91, 97-93 Hardy. Referee: Gary Rosato

WBC Supervisor: Jill Diamond

In the other featured bout, Errol Spence Jr. won an International Boxing Federation Eliminator by knocking out Leonard Bundu in the sixth round. Spence, 26-0 with 18 knockouts, DeSoto, Texas, a 26 year old welterweight southpaw, had 15 years on aging European Welterweight champion Leonard Bundu, now 33-2-1 with 12 knockouts, Toscana, Italy, who at age 41 after 10 years of fighting, got knocked out for the first time.

Ina n ending similar to Mike Tyson versus Lennox Lewis, Spence landed a powerful left uppercut, then pushed Bundu to the canvas. Bundu got up. Spence landed a left-right combination to the chin which put Bundu on the canvas on his knees, unable to get up and out of it, ending the contest. Bundu came to win, and was in top condition, with good hand speed, foot movement, and switching of stances. Spence was faster and eventually got him.

Result: Errol Spence Jr. KO 6 Leonard Bundu, Welterweights (2:06)

Referee: Johnny Callas

 

Untelevised Bouts on Ford Amphitheatre Undercard

 

Referees: Danny Schiavone, Eric Dali, Gary Rosato, and Johnny Callas

Chordale Brooker Win 4 Brandon Philips Black, Super Welterweights

Opening bout on the Ford Amphitheatre card. 40-35, 40-35, 40-35 identical scorecards.

Abraham Nova Win Majority Decision 6 Wilfredo Garriga, Lightweights

Nova down in second, Garriga down in third, Nova wobbled in fourth, came back to win!

Heather Hardy Edges Shelly Vincent in Exciting Clash on NBCSN
(Tape Delayed NBCSN Coverage Begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT)
 
Click HERE For Photos From Ryan Greene/Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
Brooklyn, NY (August 22, 2016)– On the same day that Flint, Michigan’s Claressa Shields won her second consecutive Olympic Gold medal for the U.S., women’s boxing was given another great platform as Brooklyn’s Heather “The Heat” Hardy (18-0, 4 KOs) earned a majority decision over previously unbeaten Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent (18-1, 1 KO) in their 10-round bout.
“This is definitely a win for women’s boxing,” said Hardy. “We kept up a great pace throughout and the fans were invested the whole time.”
The action was non-stop from the beginning, as Vincent charged in early and often looking to close the distance between her and the taller Hardy. Hardy was the more mobile fighter as she circled the ring looking to find the right distance to attack the Providence-native.
“Every time she crowded me, she would get off more punches,” said Hardy. “I wanted to keep the fight on the outside and when I did that I had a lot of success.”
The longtime rivals were able to live up the hype that their matchup drew. The action was non-stop and it appeared that neither woman would be able to build a big lead on the scorecards.
Hardy’s movement allowed her to create more angles for her attack as she varied her offense with overhand rights, jabs and hooks. Vincent was consistent countering, especially with her left hand that yielded much success.
The punch stats reflected the exciting nature of the fight as Hardy threw 752 punches while Shelly threw 678 across 10 two-minute rounds. It was Hardy who had the advantage in punches landed as she connected on 251 punches compared to 194 for Vincent.
“I thought I won the fight pretty convincingly,” said Hardy. “She only really caught me a few times the whole fight. I knew I had to be tactical to win the fight. Judging by the belt around my waist, I would rate my performance a 10.”
Power punches were a key to the fight, with the two combatants combining for 955 power punches thrown. Hardy’s biggest advantage came in this department as she landed over 50 percent of her power shots to 34 percent from Vincent.
In the end, the judges ruled the bout a majority decision for Hardy by scores of 99-91, 97-93 and 95-95. Vincent believed she had done enough to win the fight and expressed her displeasure with the judges scores afterwards
“I definitely thought I won the fight,” said Vincent. “I was coming forward and I landed the bigger shots. Everyone saw the fight.
“I got head-butted all night long. I came here and everybody told me I’d get robbed. I’ll take the rematch but I’m not playing by these rules. I want her to come up to Providence.”

Share

COMMENTS

COMMENTS

Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].