September 23, 2011 (Hollywood FL)–Tonight’s main event with former NABA lightweight champion Edner Cherry 28-6-2 and former IBF lightweight Champion Eric Aiken 16-8(12KO) ended in bizarre fashion at the end of round one. Seconds before the bell the two got into a mean exchange that lasted just beyond the bell. As Cherry kept punching Aiken relaxed at the bell and Cherry threw an extra punch, a beautiful left hook ala Mayweather sucker punch that floored the former champion and he was out on the canvas for a few minutes. Frank Gentile had no choice but call a stop to the fight as Aiken was clearly affected by the huge power shot after the bell. Clearly unintentional but a good call in the end. The fight was officially delcared a No Contest. On February 17 2007, Cherry lost a competitive decision to former Junior Welterweight world champion Paul Malignaggi in an HBO Boxing After Dark main event. In 2008 he dropped a decision to undefeated WBC and WBO Junior Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley and has come back with 4 KO wins since the most recent coming in January of this year.
In a very competitive welterweight match up Miami’s Damian “Devo” Frias 19-4 10KO) fought hard to a TKO victory win over Henry Crawford 22-2(9KO) fighting out of Patterson New Jersey. Frias, a southpaw, was the more accurate puncher in a chess match that brought boos from the crowd early on, however in my opinion did not deserve it as the two fighters fought hard and showed nice skill and great defense prowess. Frias was steady at chopping his opponent down through the 10 rounds slowing Crawford down making his punches land hard while closing the NJ based brawlers left eye with a steady right jab and hook. This was not the most pleasing fight for the casual fan, but very competitive and a bit of a true boxing fan’s delight of a fight. Going into the ninth round Frias was bloodied and Crawford was bruised and his left eye nearly swollen shut while having taking more of the punishment throughout the fight. Frias saw his chance and turned on the heat and overwhelmed Crawford with big shots as he could not see them coming with his eye swollen shut. Frias’s unleashed the fury in round nine prompting referee Frank Santore Jr to stopped the fight at :57 seconds of round nine, officially scored as a TKO.
Miami’s women’s flyweight Marisol Miranda improved her record to 5-4 (1KO)in a tough split decision win over Chantel “Gorgeous Babe” Cordova 8-3(3KO). The southpaw Miranda pushed the action throughout the fight leaving Cordova to counter punch and often switching her stance to try and slow down the pushing Miranda. Cordova caught the Hollywood Fl based Miranda in the fourth round with a straight right hand that knocked her down but more off balance than a power punch that put her down. The cards were very close and read 57-56 Cordova 57-56 Miranda 57- 56 Miranda.
Light Welterweight Juan Copado 2-0(1KO) fighting out of Richmond Texas, was in for a rough fight when he met Tommy “Gun” Bryant 2-3-1 from Naples Fl. Braynt was very aggressive from his southpaw stance consistently attacking but was clearly out skilled by the Texan Copado who was accurate and remained calm under the attack of Bryant. The judges score 40-36 and 39-37 all in favor of Copado.
In a very action packed Super Featherweight brawl, Arron Chavez 2-2-1 from Vero Beach battled a tough Larry Yanez 2-4-1, who has been very busy to the start of his career this being his fifth fight of ‘11. This was an excellent battle between two very determined pugilists laying it on the line for the love and honor of the sport. Watching these two fighters was a pure joy from a fans standpoint to press row where no one was disappointed in the effort by these two warriors. The cards read 39-37 for Yanez 38-38 twice for a majority draw.
In the fight of the night Junior Middleweight clash Clarence Booth 2-0(1KO) and Cletus Sledin 2-0(1KO) got DOWN! These two combatants went to war and put on a hell if a show for the crowd here in Hollywood Florida. The fight started out very steady with both fighters picking their shots and it all got heated up in round two when Sledin knocked out Booths mouthpiece and the two got into a rough grappling match that resulted in Sledin body slamming Booth in which he was deducted a point. A fierce battle then ensued following the deduction where the intensity greatly increased with a ton of pressure from both fighters and Booth showing his natural boxing skill counter punching and moving nicely defending Booths raw attack. However the skill was not enough as Sledins’ pressure and will outdid Booths skill and won a close unanimous decision despite the point deduction. All three cards read 38-37.
Light Middleweight Jamal “Hitman” Charlo 8-0(4KO) unloaded a spectacular one punch knockout over Eric Draper 4-6 at 1:32 of round 1. Charlos’ speed and superior skill was evident from the opening bell and he was ever impressive with a beautiful right uppercut that landed perfectly and laid Draper out flat on the canvas without movement for a couple minutes. Great knockout!
