McKernan Victorious in Return to Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Returning from a nearly two-year layoff, Blake McKernan sent his local following home happy with a fourth-round stoppage of veteran Jasper McCargo in the main event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Saturday night. 

McKernan (14-2, 7 KOs) of Sacramento had been out of action following multiple shoulder surgeries and a battle with Stage 2 sepsis, but looked to be back to his old self against McCargo (4-6-3, 2 KOs) of Richmond, California. 

McKernan, 197, edged round one on aggression and a well-placed power right near the bell. McCargo, 184, fought out the shell defense and looked to time the forward-moving McKernan on the way inside. 

An accidental headbutt cut top of McKernan’s head in round two, but did not appear to bother the retired Army veteran in the bout. 

McKernan landed a stiff right in close that rocked McCargo late in the third. The Sacramento native moved in, knocking McCargo’s mouthpiece out before dropping him to the canvas. McCargo managed to get to his feet and actually boxed well to close out the round.

To start round four, referee Michael Margado brought in Dr. Gary Furness to look over McCargo. In collaboration with the doctor, Margado waved off the bout officially at :01 of round four, despite the vehement protests of McCargo. 

With the win, McKernan looks ahead to fighting September 21st at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in nearby Lincoln, California. 

Islam Abdusamadov (3-0, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia scored a devastating first-round stoppage of normally durable Matthew Monroe (1-4) of Sacramento.

Abdusamadov, 164, landed with two short rights in close that dropped Monroe,165, early in the round. Monroe bravely made it to his feet, but was soon forced into a neutral corner as Abdusamadov flurried for the stoppage at 2:35 of the first. 

Tony Hernandez (7-3-1, 5 KOs) of Live Oak, California returned to his home away from home in style, stopping Jawan Jackson (0-4) of Sacramento inside of the opening round. 

Hernandez, 180, controlled the fight early, slowed only by a warning for a low blow late in the first. Soon after action resumed, Hernandez caught Jackson, 169, with a hooking right on the inside that sent the journeyman down in the red corner. Referee Michael Margado called it without much of a count at 2:23 of round one. 

Hernandez is eyeing two possible dates for his next bout; August 31st in Oakland at the Marriott City Center or September 21st at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort.  

Dorrel Fore Jr. (1-0) of Sacramento won the battle for Sactown with a four-round unanimous decision over Jaycee King (0-1) also of Sacramento.  

After a spirited first, Fore, 134, had King, 131, retreating in trouble to end round two. In the next act, King was having a good round of counter-punching before Fore knocked his mouthpiece out and followed up to close round three. King continued his trend of trying to change the fight with his overhand right in the final round, but was never able to accomplish that feat. 

Judge Brian Tsukamoto scored it 39-37, while judges Rey Danseco and Brian Tsukamoto both had it 40-36, all for Fore. 

Jamaar Collins (1-0, 1 KO) of Merced, California made short work of debuting ex-basketballer Herman Hodnett (0-1) of Oroville, California via first-round stoppage. 

Collins, 217, stunned Hodnett, 216, with the first overhand right he threw and dropped the dazed 6’8” Oroville resident with the ensuing left just moments into the bout. Hodnett made it to his feet, but referee Michael Margado opted to call it at :27 of the first. 

In the opening bout, William Davis (3-2-1, 1 KO) of Sacramento took a four-round unanimous decision over Miguel Soto-Garcia (1-3) of Fresno, California by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Davis, 145, opened the bout in the orthodox stance and was kept on uneven footing during an awkward first round. 

After a clear first for Soto-Garcia, 142, Davis switched southpaw to much greater effect in round two and controlled the fight from that point on. Judges Brian Tsukamoto and Rey Danseco both scored it 39-37 and judge Kermit Bayliss had it 40-36, all for Davis.

Promoter for tonight’s event, Nasser Niavaroni of Upper Cut Promotions, will next present “Showdown in the Town,” a co-promotion with Lion’s Den Promotions, taking place August 31st at the Oakland Marriott City Center. 

photo by Julio Sanchez

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected]