Jones Dominates Trinidad At The Garden!
Posted on | January 21, 2008 | No Comments
By Matt Yanofsky
In Front of an energetic crowd at the Mecca of boxing, Roy Jones Jr 52-4 (38 KO’s) cruised to a unanimous decision victory over Felix “Tito” Trinidad 42-3 (35 KO’s). Trinidad attempted to start off quickly by aggressively throwing punches at the eight time world champion. Jones rebounded in the second by landing quick clean shots and blocking Trinidad’s punches. Jones began taunting Trinidad during the fourth round and continued to frustrate the pride of Puerto Rico who was still unable to land any clean punches, but made a valiant effort to attack Jones.
After stunning Tito in the sixth round, Jones dropped Trinidad with a picture perfect vintage right hook to the temple. After cruising through rounds 8 and 9, Jones dropped Trinidad with a straight right hand. Jones finished the contest by showing he still has the ability to land clean effective shots while not getting hit in exchange. Scores were 117-109 and 116-110 twice. After the bout Jones expressed his interest in fighting Super Middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe in England.
In the battle of Chicago Heavyweights, contender Andrew Golota 41-6-1 (33 KO’s) won a spirited unanimous decision over Mike Mollo 19-2 (12 KO’s). Mollo came out very aggressive and threw a high volume of punches at Golota in the first. Golota was able to catch on in the second and rock Mollo who still was not giving the former world title challenger an inch.
In the fifth, Golota’s left eye was severely damaged from Mollo’s punches and started to close up. The one-eyed Golota began to out hustle the quickly tiring Mollo stunning him on multiple occasions and leaving his cross town rival hanging on. Mollo was left hanging on over the final three rounds, and took some heavy blows but never touched the canvas in this spirited war. In the end, Golota was rewarded with a unanimous decision victory. Scores were 116-110, 116-112, and 118-109 for the four time world title challenger. Golota also picks up the WBA Federalatin belt.
In a major upset, the awkward and unheralded Alex Bunema improved to 29-5-2 (15 KO’s) following his shocking victory over former IBF Junior Middleweight king Roman Karmazin. Bunema was able to somewhat frustrate Karmazin with his movement but was being outworked for most of the first nine rounds. In the tenth, Bunema dropped Karmazin with a left hook but the Russian was able to beat the count. Bunema continued to tee off on the still hurt Karmazin before knocking him out with a right hand. Time was 1:24 of round ten. With the victory, Bunema picks up the WBA Intercontinental title as well as an early pick for upset of the year.
Top Junior Welterweight prospect Devon “The Great” Alexander 14-0 (9 KO’s) impressively dominated former world champion Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley 31-8-1 (17 KO’s). Alexander was able to put together good body and head combinations while pressing the action and showing non stop energy. The game Corley was stunned on a few occasions but was never in serious danger of being stopped. A point was deducted from Alexander in the twelfth for low blows. Scores were 116-111 and 118-109 twice for Don King’s top prospect who also adds the WBC Continental Americas title to his trophy case.
Former world champion Luis Collazo shook off almost one year of ring rust by winning a unanimous decision over Edvan Barros. Collazo showed why he was once a champion by using his slickness to control Barros. To his credit, Barros was very tough and fought hard for ten rounds. Scores were 99-91 and 100-90 twice. “It felt good to be back in the ring, I want to fight the best at 147,” said the Queens based Collazo.
In his first bout since being 2007 knockout of the year victim, Emmanuel Nwodo 22-4 (17 KO’s) scored an impressive two round destruction over long time contender Ezra Sellers 29-8 (26 KO’s). Ironically, Nwodo knocked sellers out unconscious in the second round and the Pensacola, Florida resident was out cold similarly to the way Nwodo was last June 29th. The win may give the power punching Nigerian another shot at a major fight in the Cruiserweight division.
Roy Jones’ close friend Gabe Brown 18-9-3 (12) fought to an extremely uneventful draw with Paul Marinaccio. Brown, who was in very poor physical condition, threw very few punches but Marinaccio did not offer much in return. Scores were 78-74 brown and 76-76 twice of a fight which has less then zero demand for a rematch.
Highly touted prospect Angelo Santana 1-0 (1 KO) scored a first round stoppage over Kenny Keaton. Santana hurt Keaton with the first punch he threw. After taking a few more of Santana’s shots, Keaton attempted to turn his back while Santana attempted to attack his defenseless opponent. This prompted referee Jim Santa to stop the contest 33 seconds into it.