Philadelphia Boxing Results from National Guard Armory, September 30, 2011

Posted on | October 2, 2011 | No Comments

Robinson Impressive in Stoppage over Guzman
By: Tony Penecale (Ringside)

The Lady is a Champ. The inaugural show for 22-year-old Brittany Rogers’ Bam Boxing Promotions was an excellent night of pugilistic action at the National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia.

The highlight of the eight-bout card saw “The New” Ray Robinson taking the next step forward in his career by impressively dismantling the tough but overmatched Manuel Guzman in the evening’s main event.

The southpaw Robinson, 146, Philadelphia, used his reach and superior skills to dominate from the opening bell, landing big lefts from all angles and keeping Guzman, 149, Lancaster PA, on the defensive. Guzman was unable to get inside Robinson’s longer arms and could only shrug and shimmy his shoulders every time Robinson landed a clean punch.

Robinson’s explosive offensive output kept Guzman on the defense and as the rounds progressed, it became more like target practice. Guzman tried to throw hard single shots but they mostly caught air as Robinson was consistently two moves ahead. Even when Robinson missed a punch, Guzman was in no position to counter.

After six one-sided rounds, it looked like Guzman’s corner was ready to stop the bout and spare their fighter from further punishment. After some deliberation, Guzman was allowed out for the 7th round where Robinson took it upon himself to emphatically end the bout. Robinson attacked and pinned Guzman in his own corner, landing a succession of clean punches which forced referee Steve Smoger to stop the bout 22 seconds into the round.

With the win, Robinson improves to 12-2 (4) and Guzman falls to 7-13 (3).

The main undercard bout featured another impressive prospect as Julian Williams kept his undefeated record intact with a unanimous decision win over Eberto Medina.

Williams, 153, Philadelphia, utilized his speed from the start, jabbing and digging hooks to the body of the shorter and slower Medina, 155, Newark NJ. Williams dominated the first three stanzas, controlling the tempo and landing the better punches, while the outgunned Medina tried in vain to apply pressure and make things uncomfortable.

On the occasions Medina was able to work inside, Williams was still able to control the action and land the crisper punches. Williams punctuated his performance with an eye-opening 5th round, backing up Medina and stunning him late in the round with a sizzling right hand.

Williams finished the bout strong, raking Medina with combinations in the 6th round, including several hard shots to the body and head. Medina, while outclassed, was successful in making it to the final bell.

Williams was awarded a unanimous decision by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 (twice) and raises his record to 8-0-01 (4) while Medina dips to 5-7-1 (1)

In other bouts:

George Armenta survived a slow start to win a close split decision over Charles Hayward. Armenta, 168, Silver Spring MD, has a distinctive resemblance to Antonio Margarito, both in his facial appearance and straight-forward style. Hayward, 170, Philadelphia, played matador in the opening round and found a home for several straight rights and left hooks.

Hayward started losing his composure in the 2nd round as Medina utilized some physical tactics as he forced the fight inside. The tide started favoring Medina in the 3rd round as he was able to force Hayward to fight in close. Hayward turned the tide back in the 4th with some good work to the body that created openings for some solid shots that landed on Medina’s iron chin.

Both boxers were weary as the last two rounds commenced. Medina had some success in the 5th but was unable to sustain his attack as Hayward tried to box and move. The final bell was a welcome sound for the weary warriors.

In a razor close decision, Medina won two of the cards by the scores of 58-56, while Hayward took the other card by the score of 58-56. Fight News Unlimited had the bout scored 58-57 for Hayward. With the win, Medina improves to 14-7 (11) and Hayward falls to 7-3 (3).

Someone’s “0” had to go between Grayson Blake and Decarlo Perez. After six crowd-pleasing rounds, Blake was successful in handing Perez his first professional defeat.

After a slow opening round that resembled more of a chess match, Blake, 151, State College PA started to assert himself as he engaged Perez, 150, Atlantic City NJ, in toe-to-toe exchanges. Fans were treated to a classic, old-school boxing match between two skilled competitors, with Blake just being a little bit better.

Blake has a smooth boxing style reminiscent of a young Jose Napoles and he proved to be a master ring general against Perez. As the bout progressed, Perez never stopped trying but was unable to penetrate Blake’s tight defense.

The unanimous decision went to Blake by scores of 60-54 (twice) and 59-55, advancing his record to 4-0 (1) with Perez suffering his first defeat and falling to 5-1-1 (2).

Chase Corbin didn’t want to waste any time in trying to impressive his home-town crowd and the unfortunate recipient was Alexander Blanco, who came into the ring without a drop of sweat on him. After 22 seconds, he left the ring still without a drop of sweat on him but his first loss.

Corbin, 147, Philadelphia showed off his nitrogen-power right hand only seconds after the bell rang, splitting the guard of the southpaw Blanco, 142. Mexico. Two short right hands dumped Blanco on the seat of his trunks where he took the full 10 count.

Corbin stays undefeated at 6-0 (5) while Blanco has his record evened at 1-1.

David Navarro was successful in achieving his first career victory, defeating local favorite Chris Plebani by unanimous decision. The first two rounds offered little action with both boxers moving cautiously and neglecting to engage in combat.

Navarro, 146, Philadelphia, was inspired in the 3rd round at the sight of Plebani, 144, Bristol PA, leaking blood from his nose and showing signs of fatigue. Things only got worse for Plebani in the 4th as he was cut along with left eye and Navarro continued to increase the pace. With only seconds remaining, Navarro landed a solid combination that had Plebani wobbling across the ring, looking like he was trying to invent to latest dance craze.

All three judges awarded Navarro with his first win by scores of 39-37 and he now stands at 1-4 while Plebani is now 1-3.

It was the Armory’s version of “The Two Koreys” as Korey Pritchett had a successful pro debut in defeating Korey Sloane. Pritchett, 137, Camden NJ, fought in a similar style to another Camden legend, Dwight Qawi, bobbing and weaving and attacking the taller Sloane, 137, Philadelphia, with power punches.

Pritchett was able to offset Sloane’s advantages in height and quickness with significantly harder punches that broke through Sloane’s defense. Sloane was able to time Pritchett on several occasions and land right hands but didn’t have the firepower to discourage him. Pritchett’s best punches came in the 3rd when he momentarily stunned Sloane.

After four rounds, the unanimous decision went to Pritchett by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 (twice). Pritchett wins his pro debut and is now 1-0 while Sloane falls to under .500 and is now 1-2.

The evening’s opening bout had two boxers in their professional debuts as Todd Unthankmay rallied from a slow start to best Ronnie Lawrence by unanimous decision.

Unthankmay, 175, Philadelphia, looked cold and timid at the start and allowed Lawrence, 178, Pottstown PA, to control the action with a series of snapping jabs. As the round was coming to an end, Unthankmay found his rhythm and landed a few solid right hands against a seemingly winded Lawrence.

Unthankmay only got stronger as the bout progressed, stunning Lawrence in the 2nd round and flooring him in the 3rd. Lawrence was a spent fighter in the final round but was able to hold on to hear the final bell ring.

The judges were all in agreement and awarded Unthankmay the victory by identical scores of 39-37. Unthankmay starts his career with a win and is now 1-0 while Lawrence loses his debut and is now 0-1.

Several local boxing personalities were in attendance including top-ranked heavyweight “Fast” Eddie Chambers, lightweight contender “Hammerin” Hank Lundy, light heavyweight prospect Garrett Wilson, and the always loquacious Simon “One Punch” Carr.

The night was successful in ushering in the new era of Philadelphia boxing as Bam Promotions, Inc looks to be a serious player in the city’s boxing landscape.