War in Lebanon Fought To a Draw
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Lebanon, PA (January 6th, 2019)– Two sides fought a war to a draw in Lebanon. In the main event of a professional and amateur seven bout card on Saturday night, January 4, 2019, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, promoted by Julio Alvarez’ LWSC Promotions and NBC Promotions, junior middleweights Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Hernandez and Rance Ward battled to a controversial six-round draw for the Universal Boxing Federation Northeast Regional Junior Middleweight title. The title remains vacant due to the draw.
A standing moment of silence was observed with the tolling of the traditional ten count ringside bell before the main event for the late 61 pro bout four-time World Boxing Council World Cruiserweight champion Carlos ‘Sugar’ De Leon, who died at his home in Buffalo, New York on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2020.
MMA fighter Ward, 4-0-1 with two knockouts, Houma, Louisiana, came right at Hernandez, taking the fight to him at the opening bell. Hernandez, 10-4-2 with two knockouts, Reading, Pennsylvania, fighting at the Eagles Club, finished the cautious first well, with both fighters attempting jabs while jockeying for ring position. Hernandez won the first, third and sixth rounds.
Rance Ward outboxed Nicholas Hernandez in the second round. The trouble began for Ward in the third round, when his bout with Hernandez suddenly wound up in center ring inside an invisible telephone booth. Ward, with significant MMA grappling experience, surprisingly got outmaneuvered and outworked by Hernandez on the inside. Ward then went back to the outside, and outboxed Hernandez in the fourth and fifth round, staying off the ropes. Hernandez, with the bout seemingly on the table, let his hands go and took the bout to Ward, winning the sixth and final round. In the end, two judges neutrally scored the bout even. A third judge though Ward had won five rounds. Real Combat Media had it 57-57.
Despite the cheers of the sell out area crowd in rural Pennsylvania, Hernandez fought better on the inside than the outside, perhaps because he anticipated MAM fighter Ward would more than likely take the bout inside where he was more comfortable. An eight-rounder probably would have favored Hernandez, who had thrown caution to the wind by the sixth and final round. Ward was in the house, though, and came into enemy territory to fight. Ward was not looking for a decision. Neither fighter did enough to win a fourth-round, so the draw was scored about have been. Ward is undefeated in five pro bouts, and was not intimidated by Hernandez nor the pro-Hernandez local crowd in the slightest. Hernandez, in praise, is a much-improved fighter since he turned pro in 2014.
Result: Nicholas Hernandez Majority Draw 12 Rance Ward, Junior Middleweights
Scoring: 57-57, 57-57 Draw. 59-55 Ward. Referee: Gary Rosato.
UBF Supervisor: Michael Melendez
Undercard Results at Eagles Club
Referee Gary Rosato
James Robinson TKO 3 Luis Rodriguez, Junior Middleweights (1:40)
6-13-5 York Pennsylvania journeyman James ‘Thunder’ Robinson had an easy time of it with 3-20 Luis ‘Yeye’ Rodriguez of Puerto Rico, a loser of 10 straight, who had a good defense but no offense, and terrible sloppy footwork which had Rodriguez allover the place. Robinson was in top condition, and though he swung wildly and could not land much, he was at least punching until this strange matchup ended. Not a close bout.
Corey Lopez (Pro Debut) Win 4 Kenya Rainey (Pro Debut), Lightweights
Scoring: 40-35, 40-35, 39-36
Debuting Lopez, out of Altoona, Pennsylvania, tall and with reach advantage, dropped debuting Rainey, Forest Park, Illinois, for a flash knockdown at the start of the second round with a straight left to the chin. The first round appeared somewhat even. Lopez won the next three rounds by outworked Rainey, who tried hard, but who held frequently whenever he got hit. Lopez won a Golden Gloves final over current world champion Tevin Farmer some years ago, and just turned pro at the age of 28. Better late than never.
Four Bout Amateur Undercard-All Four Bouts Won by Blue Corner Represented by the Nick Hernandez Boxing Club (NBC Boxing Club)
Amateur Bout One: One Minute Rounds
Christopher Robles, NBC Boxing, Win 3 Jack Gordon, Main Street Gym, 72 Pounders
Amateur Bout Two: One and a Half Minute Rounds
Urena Ramon, NBC Boxing Club, Win 3 Lawson Mease, Lincoln Way Boxing Club, 115 Pounders
Amateur Bout Three: One and a Half Minute Rounds
Gabriel Giller, NBC Boxing Club Win TKO 2 Brandon Cary, Main Street Gym, 110 Pounders. Giller took a standing eight count in rounds one and two. Referee stops contest.
Amateur Bout Four: Two Minute Rounds
Elvis Arroyo, NBC Boxing Club Win 3 Boyce Banks, Linway Boxing Club, 130 Pounders
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