Tony Penecale’s Blue Horizon Preview
Posted on | April 5, 2007 | No Comments
Boxing Preview – Philadelphia’s Legendary Blue Horizon – April 6, 2007
By Tony Penecale
It is billed as “Night of the Undefeated” as three local prospects are taking their perfect records to Philadelphia’s Biggest Little Venue, The Legendary Blue Horizon on Broad Street in North Philadelphia. Included is a preview of the bouts (the asterisk by the fighter’s weights indicates their weight for their last bout as the official weigh-in is scheduled for the day of the bouts).
Chazz Witherspoon – Charles Davis
In the main event, Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon, a St. Joe’s grad and nephew of former heavyweight titlist “Terrible” Time Witherspoon, takes on Charles Davis. Witherspoon, 234*, Philadelphia, comes into this bout sporting a record of 16-0 (10) and is riding a three-fight KO streak. Witherspoon also enjoys a significant size advantage over Davis, 203*, Tucson AZ, who comes in with a record of 17-12 (4).
Prediction – Witherspoon is a patient boxer who works the outside well to set up his right hand. Witherspoon will control the tempo and use his size to wear Davis down before dropping the bomb. Witherspoon by KO in round 5.
Max Alexander – Demetrius Jenkins
In a very intriguing contest, Camden’s Max Alexander steps up to take on the tough and experienced Demetrius Jenkins, Detroit. Alexander was last seen in February, gaining a measure of revenge on Marty Linquist (Linquist had scored a controversial KO over Alexander in November before failing a post-fight drug test rendering the decision a No Contest). Alexander, 178*, has a record of 13-0-1 (2) and is a harder puncher than his low KO percentage would suggest. Jenkins, 172*, has an impressive array of fighters on his resume, including former world champions and challengers such as Syd Vanderpool, Clinton Woods, Steve Cunningham, Manny Siaca, and Eric Harding, compiling an overall record of 21-14 (16).
While at the fights in Phoenixville last week, Alexander said he is “ready for this challenge.” When asked about his future, he commented that “I had to get the Linquist fight behind me and it felt good to do that. Now is the time where I can step up and show everybody what I can do.” He also encouraged the fans to come out to the Blue Horizon as he plans “to put on a great show!”
Prediction – Jenkins experience is going to make it tough on Alexander. But he is on the downside, losing most of his recent outings, while Alexander is on the way up. Alexander will have to dig deep and survive some rough moments. And he will, on his way to a Unanimous Decision.
Charles Cavallo – Mike Word
Charles Cavallo was hoping to test his undefeated record against the aforementioned Marty Linquist, who endeared himself to the Philadelphia faithful by rising from four knockdowns in his unanimous decision loss to Alexander in February. But Mike Word had different ideas, knocking him out in two rounds, and taking his spot on this card. Cavallo, 172*, Trenton has compiled a record of 13-0 (4) while Word, 186*, Milwaukee WI, comes to “The City of Brotherly Love” with a record of 4-7-3 (4), his KO of Linquist snapping a 10-fight winless streak.
Prediction – Cavallo is a smooth boxer. Word, while he has the power to KO anybody, will be at a disadvantage when it comes to skill. Look for Cavallo to avoid Word’s rushes and land his counterpunches. Cavallo by 4th Round TKO.
Elad Shmouel – Jason Jordan
Elad Shmouel, 141*, Tel Aviv Israel, is known as “The Kosher Pit Bull” because that is exactly how he fights. He is tenacious with a relentless body attack. In his last fight, he had to climb off of the canvas and withstand a vicious barrage against Ryan Belasco, before untracking his offense and winning a decision. Shmouel will bring his 16-1 (8) record to face Jason Jordon, 141*, Akron OH, who has a record of 3-6.
Prediction – Unless he has horseshoes in his gloves, Jordan is going to be hard-pressed to keep the aggressive Shmouel off of him. The pressure and body attack will take its toll and it will be Shmouel victorious by 3rd Round TKO.
Simon O’Donnell – Joe Christy
Simon O’Donnell comes to Philadelphia from Ireland and steps right into the backyard of the tough Joe Christy. O’Donnell, 161*, Galway Ireland, 3-0 (2) matches up against Christy, 160*, Philadelphia, who is 7-10 (2), but has a wealth of experience, facing some top Philadelphia fighters.
Prediction – This is supposed to be O’Donnell’s coming out party and is a step up in opposition. There is limited info on O’Donnell but Christy is a known quantity. He is more known for will than skill. And will push O’Donnell. It will be an upset and Christy will take the fight to O’Donnell and squeak out a split decision victory.
Mark Brown – Samuel Brown
Matchmaker Don Elbaum commented on this bout saying “What Can Brown Do For You?” And when Mark “Oak Tree” Brown is on the card, that usually means a slugfest. M. Brown, 234*, Salem NJ, is coming in with a record of 8-1 (3) to face Samuel Brown, 234*, Ft. Campbell KY, who is 3-0 (1).
Prediction – These are big men in there and M. Brown will try to turn it into a slugfest. Little is know about S. Brown but he has an undefeated record. In a wild guess, Brown will win by decision. Which Brown? The pick goes to the local fighter and “Oak Tree” will up his record in a fight that will be sometimes sloppy and sometimes slow but overall entertaining.