By Mario Ortega Jr. –
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Solidly-built cruiserweight Blake McKernan returns to the site of his professional debut to take on a tough assignment in Jasper “Smooth Jazz” McCargo while hoping to begin his comeback story on the right note at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Saturday night. Fighters for the six-bout card, dubbed “Showdown in Sactown,” weighed-in on Friday afternoon at the host venue.
McKernan (13-2, 6 KOs) of Sacramento has fought just once since coming up short against former world champion Badou Jack on the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. undercard in November of 2020. The time away from the ring was due to multiple shoulder surgeries and a bout with severe sepsis, which caused organ dysfunction that had McKernan bedridden for a time. McKernan, known as “The Beast,” is back healthy and looked to be in great shape at Friday afternoon’s weigh-in, scaling 197-pounds.
McCargo (4-5-3, 2 KOs) of Richmond, California is a veteran with over eight years of professional experience, which was preceded by a successful amateur run on the national level. After a three-fight stretch where McCargo took on three of the most well-regarded prospects he could find, “Smooth Jazz” looked rejuvenated in two fights against Sacramento’s Terrell Glynn last year. In their first meeting, which took place at the DoubleTree, many ringside felt it was McCargo that deserved the four-round decision that ultimately went to the hometown fighter in a majority verdict. In their rematch, the bout was stopped after nearly two rounds due to a cut and declared a technical draw. McCargo was the last fighter to weigh-in Friday, coming in at a trim 184-pounds.
Islam Abdusamadov (2-0, 1 KO) of San Jose, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia will take on Matthew Monroe (1-3) of Sacramento in a four-round middleweight bout between two fighters familiar with the DoubleTree ring.
Abdusamadov was tested in his last bout against Juan Meza Moreno at this same venue in January, as a second-round knockdown proved the difference in the bout. Monroe fought on the same January card, taking undefeated Victor Guerrero to the four-round distance. Abdusamadov weighed-in at 164, while Monroe made 165-pounds.
The squared circle will look undersized when heavyweights Jamaar Collins and Herman Hodnett make their professional debuts against one another on Saturday. Collins, who stands 6’4” and fights out of Merced, California, will look up at the 6’8” Hodnett of Oroville, California, as they meet in a four-rounder. Collins, an ex-footballer, came in at 217-pounds. Hodnett, who played football and basketball at Butte Community College, came in at 216-pounds.
Tony “Pretty Boy” Hernandez returns to his home away from home in a short-notice four-round light heavyweight bout against Jawan Jackson (0-3) of Sacramento.
Hernandez (6-3-1, 4 KOs) of Live Oak, California turned in an impressive performance this past January 20th at the DoubleTree in scoring a six-round unanimous decision over veteran gatekeeper Ramon Ayala.
Jackson, who has also fought professionally in MMA and kickboxing, weighed-in at 169-pounds, while Hernandez came in heavy at 180-pounds. An agreement was reached, which included a fine for Hernandez, and the fight will proceed on Saturday night.
In an all-Sacramento super featherweight pairing, Dorrel Fore Jr. will take on Jaycee King over four-rounds. Both fighters are making their professional debut. The two locals had the most contentious face-off at Friday afternoon’s weigh-in, with some brief light shoving. Fore Jr. scaled 134-pounds, while King came in at 131.
William Davis (2-2-1, 1 KO) of Oakland, California will take on Miguel Soto-Garcia (1-2) of Fresno, California by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a four-round welterweight bout. Davis came in at 145-pounds, while Soto-Garcia scaled 142.
Quick Weigh-in Results:
Cruiserweights, 6 Rounds
McKernan 197
McCargo 184
Middleweights, 4 Rounds
Abdusamadov 164
Monroe 165
Light heavyweights, 4 Rounds
Hernandez 180*
Jackson 169
Heavyweights, 4 Rounds
Collins 217
Hodnett 216
Super featherweights, 4 Rounds
Fore Jr. 134
King 131
Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Davis 145
Soto-Garcia 142
*Hernandez eight pounds over the contracted 172-pounds.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com or tomorrow night at the door.
Mario Ortega Jr. can be contacted at [email protected]
