By Anthony Ivey
In the evening's opening bout, former Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams scored a decisive six-round decision over Little Rock's Marcus McGhee. Williams scored a knockdown in the third and was awarded a unanimous decision by scores of 60-52 on all cards.
"I couldn't get into the fight early on; I was a little upset because I wasn't doing what I was supposed to," Williams said.
With the victory, Williams moves to 38-6 with 30 KOs, while McGhee drops to 20-16.
The next contest saw Laura Ramsey of Lake Wales, Fla., score a lopsided four-round decision over fellow super middleweight, Germany's Alexandra Malloy. Ramsey pounded her opponent throughout the bout, even scoring a knockdown with a brutal right cross in the final round of the four rounder.
"I felt kinda tired, been off a few days from work," stated Ramsey. "But this was my first fight back in nine months, so I need to do a little more work."
Ramsey's mark now reads 9-3 with 4 KOs.
Heavyweight's Bowie Tupou and Ramon Hayes took center stage next. Tupou, now 14-0 with 11 KOs, controlled every round of the bout and took home a unanimous decision via scores 59-55 (twice) and 58-56.
The super middleweight pro debut of Jonathan Nelson was a success as he scored a unanimous four-round decision over Devin Laney in the evening's next contest.
Orlando's Jean Baptiste and Raymond Biggs Jr. put on an entertaining six-round junior middleweight scrap in the evening's next contest. Biggs Jr. scored effectively with combinations for the majority of the bout, but Baptiste pressured him from bell to bell, landing hard single shots. Baptiste (7-3-5) was deducted a point in the final round for a questionable rabbit punch. In the end, the scorecards read 58-55 twice and 59-54 for Biggs (9-0, 6 KOs).
Bantamweight Yan Barthelemy shut out Jose Bernal in the next bout, 60-53 on all cards. Barthelemy remains unbeaten at 6-0.
The first half of the evening's main event came up next as WBC light heavyweight champion "Bad" Chad Dawson battled former champion Glenn Johnson.
Dawson scored effectively in the first, rattling Johnson with straight lefts and right hooks. Johnson's pressure paid off in the second, as he was able to find the mark with a couple of straight rights to the chin.
Dawson was jabbing away effectively in the third, until a Johnson right hurt Dawson, who was doing his best just to escape the round. The next round was filled with heavy back-and-forth exchanges, which had the crowd on its feet. Johnson's pressure paid dividends again in the fifth, as he landed often with both hands.
Dawson did more moving than punching in the sixth stanza as Johnson stalked him around the ring. Dawson appeared fatigued in round seven, but did unleash some wicked power shots to the chin of the onrushing Johnson. Round eight was fairly even, with a heavy toe-to-toe exchange in the final moments of the round.
In the ninth, it was Johnson's turn to be a little winded, as he breathed heavily while Dawson outboxed him. A huge right-hand shot from Johnson in the closing minute of round 10 had Dawson reeling and hanging on until the bell sounded.
The two warriors slugged it out in the 11th, as Dawson tried to prove he had shaken off the effects of the previous round. The final round had both men landing heavily, but it was Dawson who came out the worse for wear on the exchanges.
When the scores were read, there was nothing but boos heard as Dawson was announced as a unanimous decision winner via triple scores of 116-112.
"Johnson is a warrior," stated Dawson, now 26-0 with 17 KOs. "He caught me with some good shots, but I took them. I am not interested in a rematch at this time."
Johnson was understandably upset about the decision.
"Of all the tough decisions I have lost, this is the worst," said Johnson, 47-12-2. "I definitely deserved to get this decision."
The second half of the evening's doubleheader took center stage next as IBO champion Antonio Tarver and IBF titlist Clinton Woods clashed in a light heavyweight unification bout.
Round one was a feeling-out round, with the sole highlight being a left uppercut to the chin from southpaw Tarver. Woods pressed the action in round two, having it his way until a Tarver flurry in the closing moments. The third stanza was fairly even with some effective shots from both guys.
Tarver used his right jab and landed sparse combos to take round four. The fifth was Tarver's best round, as he scored with flashy combinations to Woods' chin. Round six was a replay of the fifth, as Tarver was successful raking Woods with shots. Woods came out determined in the seventh frame, scoring with a hard hook early in the round. Tarver, however, regained control by the round's midway point.
Round eight unfolded much like the previous two did, with pressure from Woods, but the effective blows being scored by Tarver. Chants of "Let's go Tarver" filled the arena as he outboxed his opponent. Woods was effective in the 10th, bullying Tarver into the ropes while landing hard to the body. Back-and-forth action took place in the 11th, as Tarver drilled Woods with a pair of stinging straight lefts, only to have Woods rip Tarver right back.
The Tarver chants returned in the final round, as Tarver landed at will with his left to close out the fight. The scores were announced - 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109 - as Tarver became the new IBO/IBF light heavyweight champion of the world.
"I finished strong, I was active and I was in great shape," stated Tarver, now 27-4 with 19 KOs.
In reference to the evening's earlier fight, Tarver said, "Dawson is easy pickings right now; he's a wounded duck."
With the loss, Woods may be looking at hanging it up, saying, "I don't know if it's time to retire."
Woods acknowledged, "I fought the best light heavyweight in the world tonight."
In swing-bout action, undefeated middleweight Brian Mihtar (9-1, 8 KOs) was upset by .500 Chris Gray (8-7-1, 1 KO) via six-round unanimous decision. Scores read 58-56 all around.
In a battle of the Bay, St. Pete's Brian Meadows (0-1-1) battled Clearwater's Benjamin Jordan. The bout was up for grabs until Jordan (1-0) took control in the fourth with power shots. All judges were in agreement at 39-37.
The final bout of the evening was a cruiserweight contest set for six rounds. Akinyemi Laleye (8-1, 3 KOs) scored a close six-round decision over St. Pete's Willie Chisolm (6-3, 3 KOs). The majority of the fight was in close with each fighter scoring mainly with chopping punches. In the end, Laleye connected more effectively in each round to take home the win with unanimous scores of 58-56.
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By Anthony Ivey
A couple of Saturdays ago, Clearwater's Brian Meadows was sparring at the 4th Street Gym in St. Petersburg as trainer Jim McLoughlin looked on. This, however, was no ordinary sparring session.
Meadows was in the ring with a familiar opponent that day - the same opponent with whom he fought to a draw on Nov. 30 at the Doubletree hotel in Tampa. This encounter would determine who would be matched in a four-round junior middleweight bout on the undercard of the Tarver-Dawson light heavyweight championship doubleheader on April 12 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
When the sparring had completed, it was decided that Meadows would be placed on the Tampa card. Meadows, 0-0-1, is excited about his opportunity to shine on such a big stage so early in his career.
"I am a little nervous about it," says Meadows. "But once I get in the ring and stick to my game plan, it'll break off."
Meadows plans on keeping a busy schedule once his April 12 date is completed.
"I'd like to have three to four fights this year," states Meadows.
Meadows, a seven-year employee of the St. Pete/Clearwater Airport, would probably like to make a statement on April 12 by sending his opponent flying with a shot.
"I am more of a boxer, but my best punch is the straight left," says Meadows.
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By Anthony Ivey
St. Pete's Willie Chisolm has an opportunity to make a major statement on April 12. On that date he'll be fighting in a scheduled six-round preliminary cruiserweight bout on the Tarver-Dawson light heavyweight championship doubleheader at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.
Chisolm knows where he's fighting that night - whom he's fighting is another question. Chisolm, however, isn't concerned with the answer.
"I am in shape for whoever it is. I just hope he comes to fight," says Chisolm.
There was an opponent in place not too long ago, but that arrangement suddenly changed.
"Nick Iannuzzi ran his mouth about what he was going to do to Willie, and then decides to just pull out at the last minute," states Chisolm trainer Jim McLoughlin.
Chisolm, 6-2 with 3 KOs, is coming into this fight with a victory in his last outing. It's a victory he credits to a learning experience from his bout on Nov. 30 at the Doubletree Hotel in Tampa.
"When I got stopped in that fight, it was because I was playing around in the ring. That fight taught me to stop playing, and that's what's gonna make me or break me."
According to his trainer, Chisolm's new outlook has been yielding positive results.
"That knockout loss is a thing of the past," says McLoughlin. "This is the best shape I've ever seen him in."
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By Anthony Ivey
The last time Jean Baptiste stepped into the ring, he took home fight-of-the-night honors in his four-round draw against Alex Quiroga on March 14 at the A La Carte Pavilion.
Despite being ill the week before and having to lose 11 pounds in just two days, Baptiste engaged in a back-and-forth battle that had the crowd cheering in approval.
Baptiste is undefeated in his last eight starts, and will be taking on another fighter who's had success in as many outings, 8-0 Raymond Biggs Jr. This junior middleweight fight will be on the undercard of the Antonio Tarver-Chad Dawson light heavyweight championship doubleheader on April 12 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.
Fighting for the first time in such a large venue doesn't intimidate Baptiste.
"I like to perform. The bigger the audience, the better the performance," says Baptiste.
While Baptiste knows that fighting on the undercard of a major fight is great exposure, he's not looking at his opponent as more than what he is.
"Every fight is a playoff fight. No seven-game series here. It's the finals," explains Baptiste.
Everyone in the Baptiste camp is feeling confident going into the event.
"Style-wise, this is a good fight for Jean, and he hasn't lost a fight since he's been with me," states trainer/manager Jim McLoughlin.
Baptiste also has a warning for his April 12 opponent.
"He better not underestimate me, or look past me. He better bring his A game."
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By Anthony Ivey
Starfight Productions hosted an evening of boxing on April 5 at the Bayfront Hilton in downtown St. Petersburg.
In the evening's main event, Carlos "El Rayo" Rivera took on Jose Laureano in a scheduled six-round featherweight bout. In attendance for the evening's affairs were such local fighters as former world champ Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy, top-ranked lightweight Edner Cherry "Bomb," as well as former world championship challenger "Diamond" David Santos.
The evening kicked off with a four-round super middleweight contest featuring St. Pete's Marvin Blair taking on Eric Clinton of Tallahassee. After a slow first round, Blair began to score with wide rights to the head, one of which hurt Clinton at round's end. Clinton, however, bounced back in the third and stunned Blair with a hard hook. Clinton found the mark again early in round four, this time with a straight that landed flush on Blair's chin. Blair controlled the remainder of the round.
The fight went to the judges with scores reading 38-38 and two scores of 39-37 for Blair. Blair now stands at 2-0-1, while Clinton falls to 0-3-1.
Bout No. 2 saw welterweight action as St. Pete's Gino McClellan scored a one-sided unanimous decision over Juan Aguirre of Jacksonville. McClellan found success early and often with his hook. Aguirre was game, but he had trouble finding the elusive McClellan when he did fire shots. When he did connect, little damage was done. By the fourth, McClellan was mixing in an effective lead right hand into his attack.
In the end, McClellan swept the cards with triple scores of 40-36.
"I had fun tonight," said McClellan. "He never hurt me. I just gotta learn how to finish a guy after I hit him with a good shot."
Trainer Jim McLoughlin agreed, saying, "Gino fought a great fight. Next time we'll get him to finish his guy."
McClellan's ledger now reads 2-0, with Aguirre registering at 1-2-1.
The evening's next fight was a competitive affair between a pair of local middleweights. Inka Laleye out of St. Pete opposed Sarasota native Luis Hodge in a spirited four rounder.
Round one featured good two-way action as Hodge connected with a strong hook to the face, only to have Laleye fire right back with combinations to the head. The fight was contested at a brisk pace with both men having their moments. The final round had both fighters exchange heavy shots, which brought the crowd to its feet cheering the action.
When the final bell sounded, the decision was put in the hands of the judges. The judges were all in agreement of a draw. The verdict was met with mixed reaction from the audience, and Hodge strolled around the ring with his hands in the air, which was met with some cheers from the crowd.
"It was crazy - we won," said Hodge through his trainer. "Nothing he landed bothered me. We'd fight him again, but the question is do they want to."
Laleye had a different opinion on the outcome.
"It was a tough, close fight, but I pulled it off. I rocked him a few times. As far as the decision, I can't control what people think," explained Laleye.
Laleye now stands at 3-0-1 with 1 KO, with Hodge's record reading 5-6-1 with 3 KOs.
Jason Barnett of St. Petersburg tangled with Akron, Ohio's Charles Brown in a four-round heavyweight encounter. Barnett took control effectively in round one and used his hook upstairs to great effect. At the end of the round, Barnett unloaded a series of hard combinations that drove his opponent into the ropes.
The stocky Brown was effective at times, having to loop his punches upward at his taller opponent. Barnett won most of the exchanges, but negated his advantages in the height and reach department by staying inside a little too much. In the end, Barnett took home a unanimous decision by the scores of 39-37 on all cards.
"I made an easy fight hard," said Barnett. "But it's been six months since my last fight, so I had to work some rust off."
Barnett goes to 10-6 with 4 KOs, while Brown's record falls to 6-14.
In the final fight before the main event, welterweight Keith Thurman scored another first-round knockout to bring his tally to four wins, four knockouts. Carlos Pena, now 5-14-1, came out sticking and moving from a southpaw stance, while Thurman stalked him with power punches.
The end came courtesy of a straight right, which floored Pena for a count of eight. After Pena rose, however, the referee waved off the bout when he determined Pena was unfit to continue.
"His fear was there before the bell rang. He didn't want to look me in the eyes," stated Thurman. "I wished the ref would have let it go, but the officials make the best decisions."
In the evening's main event, Carlos Rivera scored an emphatic fourth-round technical knockout over former world title challenger Jose Laureano.
Rivera, whose "El Rayo" nickname translates into "the lightning," brought the thunder from the opening round and never let Laureano in the fight. The New Port Richey resident drilled Laureano in round one with a straight right, and he continued to pound him in the corner with combinations until the bell sounded.
More of the same came for Laureano in the second, as he was hit with punches from all angles and was rocked several times in the round. When Laureano did fire back, Rivera just seemed to walk right through the punches.
Round three saw Laureano land a pair of low blows, which drew a warning from the ref and boos from the pro-Rivera crowd. Rivera closed the show in the fourth. With his opponent pinned against the ropes and the crowd on its feet producing a deafening cheer, Rivera released powershot after powershot until Laureano's own cornerman jumped on the apron to throw in the towel.
"I was a little nervous, but I controlled the fight. Ain't nobody stopping me," stated Rivera, now 11-3-2 with 4 KOs. "This my first fight back in a year. I am so happy to be back. I feel like I just got my first car or my first girlfriend."
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By Anthony Ivey
Featherweight Carlos Rivera will headline Starfight Productions' boxing card on April 5 at the Bayfront Hilton in St. Petersburg. While some fighters might feel excess anxiety from being in the main event, Rivera handles it in stride.
"I have some jitters, but it's important to have those. But I've been in this position before with fighting on ESPN and Showtime, so it's not all new," says Rivera.
The art of fighting is also something that Rivera has been familiar with for a long time.
"I used to fight with my siblings when I was about 10 years old. My mother said if I wanted to fight, then go to a gym," explains Rivera.
That's exactly what Rivera did, and ever since then he has dedicated himself to this sport. His record stands at an impressive 10-3-2 with 3 KOs. With energy he displays in training, there is little reason to think victory No. 11 won't happen Saturday night.
"I am 30, but I feel like I am 18. I am definitely ready for this fight and happy for the opportunity. The featherweight division is wide open right now," says Rivera.
Rivera is currently campaigning in the 126-pound division, but stays trim at a walk-around weight of 140, as well as being able to make the junior featherweight limit.
"This is my first fight back since breaking my hand, a fight I still won on using my jab. When I get in there, I'm focused. The only people I hear are my trainer and my mom," laughs Rivera. "You'll know her voice when you hear it."
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By Anthony Ivey
One word sums up Antonio Tarver's media day workout on March 31 in Tampa: drive.
As Tarver conducted interview after interview, you could see his enthusiasm. He displayed the confidence of someone who has achieved more than most fighters ever will.
But with all that Tarver has accomplished, he still has the drive to achieve more. Tarver was a bronze medallist in the 1996 Olympics, a multi-time world champion at light heavyweight, and he played a starring role in "Rocky Balboa," opposite Sylvester Stallone. These are lifetime accomplishments for most people, but Tarver has done all of this and more before even reaching his 40th birthday.
His long-term goal is to become undisputed champion of the light heavyweight division. Hurdle No. 1 is to match his IBO belt against current IBF titlist Clinton Woods on April 12 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.
"Clinton is tough and when he is allowed to, he can break most fighters down," Tarver said. "But you've gotta remember, I am the guy who figured out the Roy Jones puzzle. He is looking past me. I have never had anyone do that. I don't know whether it's arrogance or stupidity. Clinton Woods handlers are just hoping I'm past my best day."
Tarver, 26-4 with 19 KOs, certainly didn't appear as though his best days were behind him during media day. He put on an impressive exhibition at Calta's Boxing Gym, displaying sharp reflexes, endurance and focus.
"I am focused," explained a confident Tarver. "I've got my eye on the prize."
When asked about the one thing that keeps him motivated, Tarver responded, "The naysayers, the people who don't think I can do it. Success puts a bad taste in critics' mouths. I wanna be a unique man who can stand alone and be what no one else can be."
The last statement sums up Tarver well, as he is able to straddle the line of being self-assured without crossing over to arrogance. He also understands what needs to be done to cement his legacy as a fighter.
"My goal is three fights, three belts, and be the undisputed champion. After that, I will have no more doubters."
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By Anthony Ivey
If there is an area in Gino McClellan's boxing game that needs improvement, it certainly isn't his confidence.
St. Pete's McClellan carries himself self assuredly and speaks like someone who believes in his abilities.
"I am my own role model. When you ask me who I look up to in the sport, I look up to me," explains McClellan.
The welterweight is looking to raise his undefeated mark to 2-0 with a win April 5 at the Bayfront Hilton in St. Pete, with a long-term goal of going 6-0 by the end of the year. His first fight back in August of last year went off without any real surprises.
"I was a little anxious," says McClellan. "But this sport is about having fun, so everything went as planned."
Ironically, boxing wasn't McClellan's original sport of interest.
"Tennis was actually my first love while I was in school. I didn't really focus on boxing until two or three years ago," says McClellan.
Even though he switched a tennis racket for a pair of boxing gloves, McClellan's competitive attitude has stayed the same.
"If someone can conquer me doing what I do, then he's the better fighter. If I do me, I win. So even when I lose, I still win," says McClellan.
According to 4th Street Gym trainer Jim McGlaughlin, McClellan is also putting in the necessary work.
"Keith Thurman was in today, and Gino got some really good sparring in," says McGlaughlin.
Finally, McClellan also has a good grasp of the sacrifices that are involved with being a success in boxing.
"I work full time at DHL Express, then come straight here to train," he says. "This will be my life for the next five to six years. This is my second job, and it's my love."
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