NEW YORK, NY–It was glitz and glamor in New York city, as WCMG events paired up with Salita Promotions to host a night of boxing at the Roseland Ballroom. The popular Mike Ruiz (12-4, 1 KO, 146lbs) was slated to face off against Martin Wright (8-1-2, 1 KO, 146lbs) for the New York State welterweight title.
Neither fighter packs much of a punch, so a tactical battle was expected. Somebody forgot to tell the fighters in the ring, as they came out swinging in what turned out to be an action packed fight. Both fighters landed big punches early, but it was Ruiz who drew first blood, as he landed big and knocked Wright down in the third round. After lots of holding, Wright was able to overcome his rubbery legs, and eventually land some huge punches of his own, hurting Ruiz badly at some points. As the fight continued into the later rounds, both fighters began to tire and there were moments of sloppiness. In the eighth and final round, Wright was penalized a point for excessive holding. Both fighters made it to the final bell, and the fans in attendance gave them a standing ovation. The final scores read 77-74, 76-75, and 75-76 for Wright, giving him a split decision victory. It is not all that common for fighters find themselves in rematches at club shows, but another go should really happen.
New Yorks newest and most well liked boxer, Boyd Melson (2-0, 155 1/2 lbs), made short work of his opponent, Hector Rivera(2-7, 1KO, 153lbs). As soon as both fighters settled in, a left hand from Melson smashed onto Rivera’s jaw, sending him to the canvas. Rivera beat the count, but the referee ruled that he was unable to continue. Melson was victorious with a TKO at the :44 point in the first round.
Irishman, Thomas Hardwick (212 lbs) utilized his god-given Irish style in his professional debut and brawled his way to a victory over Derek Walker (1-4, 244 lbs). Hardwick just simply out-worked his tall and strong opponent and used a high-octane offense to wilt his opponent away. In the third round, Hardwick’s onslaught was too much for Walker, and he took a knee and didn’t get up until the referee called the fight off. Hardwick’s debut was a good one, giving him a TKO victory.
Deano Burrell (1-1, 1KO, 134 lbs) faced George Santiago (1-3, 1KO, 135 lbs) in a very one sided match. Burrell was just too tall, too fast, and too smart for Santiago. The only attribute that Burrell did not possess enough of was power, which meant that Santago lasted the full four rounds, losing a 40-36 decision on all three scorecards.
In an exciting heavyweight bout Jarrell Miller (1-0, 1KO, 246 lbs) squared off against Issac Villanueva (0-1, 233 lbs). Miller came out guns blazing, as he looked to impress the high roller crowd in attendance. Villanueva was tougher than expected, and managed to take Miller’s bombs fairly well, and even land some of his own. As the fourth and final round began, Miller was still on the hunt, and was not satisfied with sitting on his lead. After dozens of clean punches, referee Wayne Kelly had seen enough, and called the bout off at the 1:53 point of the fourth round, giving Miller a TKO victory.
Arman Mrkanovic (1-0, 191 lbs) took on Rayshawn Meyers (3-7, 2 KO’s, 190) in a bout that was not expected to last long, as Mrkanovic was heavily favored to win. Things went according to plan at first, as Mrkanovic easily landed an overhand right that sent Meyers crashing to the canvas. Meyers beat the count, and was immediately pounced on. Mrkanovic, sensing his opportunity, went for the stoppage. While throwing a punch, he stopped halfway and awkwardly twisted his knee in the process. Mrkanovic was unable to continue, and contrary to what ringsiders expected, the bout was ruled a TKO victory for Meyers. Mrkanovic said afterwards that he will appeal to the New York State Athletic Commission for a no contest ruling.
The first bout of the evening saw Vadim Gurau (156 lbs) take on Eduardo Ayuoso (158 lbs) in a four rounder. Both fighters were making their professional debut. They started out very competitively, but that did not last very long as Gurau’s more polished training began to show. Thats seemed inevitable to those of us at ringside, as Gurau is trained by the legendary Tommy Gallagher. In a one sided fight that went the distance, Gurau won with scores of 40-36 on all three judges’ scorecards.
