NIGHT OF FUTURE CHAMPIONS CARD PROVIDES EXCITEMENT
Posted on | July 30, 2007 | No Comments
BY: Patrick McElligott
On Friday, July 27, there was a “Night of Future Champions” fight card in Saratoga Springs, NY. The seven-fight event, promoted by Pugnacious Promotions, was featured on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. It was the type of
quality boxing that can help bring the sport of boxing back to the upstate-and central New York area.
The first two matches featured young fighters from Ireland. In the opening bout, Alo Kelly (178 lb) defeated tough Rafel Jastrezbski (175 lb) in an exciting 4-rounder. Kelly, who recently moved from Ireland to Middle
Village, NY, found himself on the canvas in the first round of his pro debut. Jastrezbski, of Toms River, NJ, was looking to counter punch as the young Kelly came straight in on him. He was able to catch Kelly late in the
first, but the knockdown served as a wake-up call for Kelly. From then on, the young Irishman began to find range with his jab, and he carried the next three rounds in convincing fashion.
In the second match, Dublin’s Paul Hyland (121 lb) improved to 9-0 (4 KOs) with a convincing 4 round decision over Art Parker, (121 lb) of Lancaster, PA. Though Hyland had superior skills, he seemed too intent on scoring a
knockout, and forgot to jab much after the first round. More, he had a habit of bobbing under Parker’s increasingly wide punches, but not firing back.
Still, Hyland displayed a lot of talent, and has a bright future.
The third fight featured Albany, NY prospect Chris Horn (186 lb) versus Jonah Cogar (181 lb) of Lost Creek, WV. Horn, a former amateur stand-out who took some time off before turning pro, was looking to improve his record to 3-0. In the first round, he showed perhaps the best jab of any fighter on the card. He began to put his punches together in the second round, and Cogar didn’t have any answers. However, the burly southpaw was game, and in attempting to wrestle his superior opponent, he caused an unintentional
butt. Though Horn reacted calmly to the rough-house tactics, the butt opened a deep gash on Cogar, and the fight was ruled a “no contest.”
Horn is the type of young fighter who will help Pugnacious Promotions fill seats in places like the Saratoga Springs City Center, and in up-coming cards in Tioga Downs in September. I had the opportunity to speak with him after the fight, and he has the attitude that convinced me that he is worth keeping an eye on. His soon-to-be bride Tara told me that Chris is totally focused on boxing. He assured me he will win three more fights in 2007, and I plan to cover each of them for Fight News Unlimited.
The next fight featured Chazz Witherspoon (230 lb) against journeyman Talmadge Griffis (201 lbs). Witherspoon improved to 19-0 with 13 KOs, by stopping the tough, cagey Griffis in 9 rounds. Witherspoon showed some
improvement in this fight, including being able to put combinations together after his jab. Griffis came to win, however, and he created some problems for his bigger, younger foe.
Chazz, who has transitioned from amateur star to professional prospect, showed patience in taking Griffis apart slowly. He used his speed and ability to put punches together well in order to pull ahead in the early rounds. He would benefit by doubling up on his jab more frequently. Also, he showed a natural talent for rolling with Griffis’s punches, but failed to take advantage of the opportunity to fire back in return.
Still, Witherspoon, of Philadelphia, looked good in winning his biggest fight to date against the 24-7-3 Griffis, who lives in Colorado Springs.
In the main event, Andre Berto (146 lb) of Winterhaven, FL, fought tough journeyman Cosme Rivera (147 lb) of Culican, Mexico. The 10-round bout was expected to showcase the explosive young welterweight against his toughest opponent thus far. Rivera, however, looked absolutely relaxed in his dressing room, and seemed very confident as he made his way to the ring.
Berto seemed in control of the first half of the fight. He was aggressive, and his hand speed is impressive. However, his punches began to be a little wider in the 5th round. He seemed focused on going to the head, and he reacted to Rivera’s feints.
Late in the 6th round, Rivera caught Berto with a beautiful shot coming in. The crowd was shocked to see Andre knocked down – hard – and having difficulty regaining his balance. Luckily for him, the round ended, and his corner borrowed a trick from Angelo Dundee to extend the much-needed rest. Had Berto not had the extended time between rounds, the fight may have ended differently.
Berto fought hard in the 7th, and won the round. However, he was clearly tired in the next two rounds, and Rivera, who was cut badly, won the hearts of the crowd with his bravery. He won the 9th round, and though he was still clearly behind on the score cards, he was looking to stop his younger foe in the last round. But Berto showed why his fans think he may become a champion in the 10th, and the two gave the crowd their money’s worth. Berto won a tough decision.
In the sixth fight, Brandon Mitchem (170 lbs) of Kingston, NY TKOed Dhafir Smith (167 lbs) of Upper Darby, PA. The 26-4 Mitchem got his 5th KO when he caught the slower Smith with one of those punches that you don’t see coming. Smith tried to get up, but fell back down twice, causing the ref to stop the
fight.
In the final bout, undefeated 151 lb prospect Tommy Rainone out-pointed a game but out-classed Jorge Delgado, of Allentown, PA in 4 rounds. Rainone has an 8-0 record, with 2 KOs.
TIM WITHERSPOON AT RINGISDE
CHAZZ WITHERSPOON BETWEEN ROUNDS
ALBANY PROSPECT CHRIS HORN WITH HIS FUTURE WIFE TARA