Great Fights! Foster, Sparrow, Tapia and Lozano Rock The House in Fillmore Philly
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent – Ringside
Philadelphia (July 25th, 2022)– In two super featherweight eight round co-main event “Battle Royales” on a seven bout card on Saturday night, Jul 23, 2022, on a Manny Rivera Hard Hitting Promotions card, which rocked the house, William “The Silent Assassin” Foster III edged Pennsylvania State and IBA champion Avery Sparrow, and Philly fan favorite Christian Tapia outpointed last minute substitute Mario Sayal Lozano (who replaced the scheduled Fernando Romero).
Foster, 15-0 with nine knockouts, New Haven, Connecticut, came into Philadelphia with height and reach advantage confidently, and was not intimidated by the intense and focused Sparrow, now 11-4 with four knockouts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two fighters traded bombs throughout, with more holding between the two fighters after exchanges in the second half of the bout. Sparrow was in the house. However, Foster was slightly the busier of the two boxers. Foster appeared to win the first four rounds, with Sparrow more active in the second half of the bout, especially in the final round. If Sparrow had won one more round, the bout would have been a draw.
Foster did quality body work through the give and take action, which more often than not wound up at close quarters, inside the boxing telephone booth. Foster wanted this to be a ten rounder, but the Sparrow came did not. Oblige, and thus an eight rounder. Sparrow would have had to win rounds nine and ten to get the decision if the bout had been a ten rounder, and his late round performance proved he was capable of doing it. The close bout appeared somewhat drawish at ringside, slight edge to Foster due to greater activity, with scoring overall neutral and fair. Real Combat Media scored the bout 77-76 for Foster. Sparrow’s IBA and Pennsylvania State titles were non at stake in this nontitle bout.
Many power shots were thrown in this “Battle Royale” slugfest. Neither fighter was hurt. Foster’s confidence, and keys to victory, were: one, Foster knew from the start he had height and reach advantage and could use it to outpoint Sparrow; two, Foster knew he was a stronger starter. Sparrow had to get inside Rocky Marciano style as the shorter man, and for the most part, did so. When Marciano fought the aging Joe Louis at the end of Louis’ career, Louis’ jab, height and reach advantage had Marciano at a handicap until Louis ran out of gas. Against Foster in his prime, Sparrow endeavored to get inside and slug it out as he had to. This was a thrilling war worthy of a rematch at 10 or 12 rounds, and one of the best Philadelphia matches between relatively unknown fighters in years. Based on the performances of both fighters, the outcome is unlikely to affect either career one way or the other. Sparrow won by stoppage in the tenth round in his previous bout, and Foster had never been past the eighth round. Given Sparrow peaks in the second half of the bout, Sparrow could have won or drawn this bout at ten rounds. It was a crowd pleasing raw power shot give and take slugfest. Foster did just win it, though, was a slightly better offensive output overall. Theoretically, Philly fighters have the hometown advantage edge. Sparrow had to earn it. Ringside observers felt Foster did enough to win, despite the closeness of the bout.
Result: William Foster II Win 8 Avery Sparrow, Super Featherweights
Scoring: 77-75, 77-75, 77-75 for Foster. Real Combat Media: 77-76 for Foster.
Referee: Eric Dali
In the other co-main event, Christian Tapia, 15-0 with 12 knockouts, Coamo, Puerto Rico, outpointed last minute Mario Ezekiel Sayal Lozano, 18-8-1 with nine knockouts, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lozano surprised the crowd by showing up prepared for the bout, a late substitute hoping for a chance at one of the two super featherweight co-main events in the event somebody pulled out. It looked like he prepared for the possible opportunity well.
Lozano, a trial horse and loser of his last seven bouts, had gone the six and eight round distance in his last two bouts, and in his last three bouts has faced fighters with a combined 51 wins. Lozano trained hard for the opportunity, no doubt, apparently had studied film on Tapia, and sincerely tried to win this bout. Despite being outclassed, Lozano used superior head movement and footwork, and traveled in dizzy circles around the ring. In a Tom and Jerry cat and mouse affair, Tapia chased “Speedy Gonzalez” Lozano on his bicycle all night, who tried to counter, landed a few lucky shots here and there, and engaged in nonstop holding. Lozano did well enough to never be in trouble, which stood for something.
Tapia jabbed, and power shot tagged Lozano all night. Lozano fronted a god defense, and had bulked up after the weigh-in from 132 pounds to either welterweight or junior middleweight. Tapia was well-prepared. If Tapia had not been well-prepared, it could have been trouble. Lozano mysteriously dropped Tapia for a lucky flash knockdown in the second round, which looked more like a slip, and shocked the Philly crowd by winning a 10-8 round (the only round Lozano won), but it meant it was not until the start of round five Tapia went back ahead on the scorecards.
The lesson to be learned by Tapia is to never underestimate your opponent. As it was, Tapia, won the other seven of the eight rounds, and was left with an indelible memory.
Result: Christian Tapia Win 8 Mario Lozano, Super Featherweights
Scoring: 78-73, 78-73, 78-73 for Tapia. Real Combat Media: 78-73 for Tapia.
Lozano scored a flash knockdown of Tapia in the second round. No count.
Referee: Shawn Clarke
The Fillmore Philadelphia Undercard Results
Carlos Rosario Win 4 Jonuel Ramos (Pro Debut), Lightweights
4-0 prospect Rosario, Winter Haven, Florida, wins 39-37, 39-37, 39-37 on the scorecards.
Juan “The Thrilla” Davila (Pro Debut) TKO 3 Joshua Maldonado, Lightweights (1:29)
Philadelphia lightweight Davila debuts. The 1-1 Maldonado’s corner threw in the towel.
Dezmond Lucas TKO 2 Daniel Sostre, Welterweights (3:00)
6-1 Bronx prospect Lucas had Sostre down in first. Sostre warned for low blows by referee Eric Dali in the second round. Referee Eric Dali stopped contest after second round ended.
Jeremy Cuevas Win 6 Nicolas DeMario, Lightweights
14-1 Philadelphia prospect Cuevas knocked 16-7 Argentinian veteran DeMario in the final round. DeMario survived. DeMario uniquely came out to ring to “The Godfather” theme.
Scoring: 60-53, 60-53, 60-53 for Cuevas. Real Combat Media: 60-53 for Cuevas.
Jan Carlos Rivera Win 6 Nelson Perez, Lightweights
6-1 Philadelphia prospect Rivera, and 5-0 Massachusetts prospect Perez smothered each other, and leaned on each other the entire bout. Rivera was the more aggressive of the two fighters. Perez had good range for his punches, but got caught on the ropes in defensive posture too often, enabling Rivera to outwork him. The 5-0 unbeaten record of Perez fell.
Scoring: 60-54, 60-54, 59-55 for Rivera. Real Combat Media: 58-56 for Rivera.
Top rated welterweight contender Jaron “Boots’ Ennis was in attendance. A moment of silence was observed by ring announcer Pat Michael Fattore for all in the world who have been lost, both to the Coronavirus and to war, during this time period. A spirited sermon of hope was then given inside the ring during the intermission, leaving all in attendance with good vibrations and feelings. Scoring and refereeing at the event appeared neutral and fair.
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