By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Veteran light heavyweight Jasper McCargo entered the ring at a fork-in-the-road moment in time as a professional fighter on Saturday night in Sacramento, California. Should returning Blake McKernan get the best of him in their scheduled six-rounder, “Smooth Jazz” would seriously consider closing up shop on fighting and concentrate on his other life’s work as owner and proprietor of Pound for Pound Fitness, a personal training studio in his hometown of Richmond, California. McCargo did not leave the ring with his hand raised, but the manner in which defeat was dealt has left McCargo with unfinished business. 

Going into the third round on Saturday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, the local fight fans appeared to be taking in an exciting and competitive fight. McCargo boxed well for most of the first round, but McKernan landed some eye-catching shots late that may have swayed it his way. Round two featured two-way action as well, with McCargo playing the boxer and counter-puncher and McKernan looking to close the distance. 

As is the case in boxing, things can change with one punch and they soon did in the third. McCargo was caught with a stiff right, which was the precursor to a knockdown, as ruled officially by referee Michael Margado, though disputed by McCargo’s own recollection. Upon resumption of the round, McCargo appeared to clear the cobwebs and actually boxed well to close out what had been previously a disastrous stanza. 

Things abruptly came to a halt at the start of round four. Long-tenured and well-respected ringside physician Dr. Gary Furness stood at a neutral corner to assess McCargo and before long referee Margado was waving off the bout, officially at :01 of the fourth, to the dismay of many ringside and despite the animated protest of “Smooth Jazz.”  

“I feel it was definitely an unfair situation that happened,” says McCargo. “To just stop the fight, it was not right. I feel like I deserved to be able to continue in the fight. In no way, shape or form, should he have stopped the fight. It definitely wasn’t right that he did that. I feel it was pretty unfair. We still had three more rounds to go and who knows what would have happened in those next three rounds. Especially the way Blake was getting tired anyway. I was feeling strong.”

To be fair to the ringside doctor, his chief concern is fighter safety and the disappointed fans and spectators ringside did not have the same face-to-face view of McCargo at the time of the stoppage. However, based on McCargo’s performance at the tail end of round three, and his fluidity in the immediate aftermath of the bout, one would have been hard-pressed to find a neutral party ringside that agreed with the timing of stoppage. 

“He didn’t say much to me,” recounts McCargo of his interaction with the doctor in the corner. “He called me over there and as soon as I went over there, I told him, ‘Hey, I feel great. You saw that I finished the round strong.’ He told me to follow his finger, and I know I followed his finger. I was getting ready to start the round and he just waved it off. There was nothing in regards to me, where he should have waved it off. 

I questioned him more about it in the locker room. He said, ‘Your left eye looked funny, like you might have had a concussion.’ I said, ‘Well my left eye is not the same as my right eye anyway.’ And I reminded him that I was talking fine, I was finishing the round strong and I was still punching and making him miss. We had that minute between rounds to recover. There was no reason to stop a fight like that. He just kind of did the brief post-fight test, said that I looked ok and gave me the basic 45-days [post-fight suspension]. And that was the end of the conversation.” 

McCargo (4-6-3, 2 KOs) is also of the opinion that it was not the right hand or any follow-up that finally drove him to the canvas in the third round, which ultimately prompted the ringside doctor’s concern. 

“Even with the knockdown, he caught me with a good shot, but really he shoved me down,” claims McCargo. “I tried to clinch after the shot, and as I was clinching he was actually pulling me down. So it wasn’t the actual shot that made me go down. It was him pulling me down. I guess it could go either way, but still, it wasn’t the type of blow that should stop the fight. If I had a concussion, he should have been able to finish me right there. I wouldn’t have been punching him and making him miss and talking clearly to him. If it was a concussion, I would have been still woozy and not able to punch like that. I just don’t feel like that was a good enough explanation.” 

With the result of their meeting on August 3rd carved into the record books, McCargo’s only recourse is to convince McKernan into giving him a rematch.  “Smooth Jazz” does not want to end his career on the sour note of a questionable stoppage in a fight he and many others felt was still undecided. 

“I feel like I deserve a rematch and all the people that came to see the fight deserve a rematch,” says McCargo. “I feel like if Blake was a real fighter, like a real serious fighter, then he should want to get a clear victory against me. Instead of bragging about a situation like that, as if it was a clear victory. 

The way I feel and the way a lot of other people feel: they paid 75 or 110 dollars to get in there and next thing you know, Blake lands one punch and the referee just stops the fight. And the fight doesn’t continue. I would have been mad too, if I had just come as a fan.” 

Blake McKernan (14-2, 7 KOs) of Sacramento will next fight on September 21st at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in nearby Lincoln, California. McCargo initiated a push online for fans to voice their desire to see the rematch take place on that date next month and continues to make his case in the hopes the fight can be made in short order. 

“I was already supposed to fight on that show anyway,” says McCargo. “It was in the contract, if I had won, the rematch, with us fighting again, would have been on the 21st [of September]. So we should just fight on the 21st. What should happen is that we have a second fight and continue the first fight, that is what is fair.”  

The ball is likely in McKernan’s court. The rematch would conceivably be the easiest fight to make. Fan interest appears to be there as well. 

“If there were ever any situation where there should be a rematch, this is definitely that situation,” says McCargo. “Otherwise it is just unfinished.” 

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

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] 

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] 

David Morrell Jr. defended the WBA Super Middleweight title with a vicious first round stoppage over Mario Cazares at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Morrell landed a straight left that stunned Cazares and that was quickly followed by another straight left that plummeted Cazares under the bottom ropes and the fight was immediately stopped at 2:32.

Morrell, 167 1/2 lbs of Minneapolis is 5-0 with four knockouts. Cazares, 166 1/2 lbs of Culican, MEX is 12-1.

“I didn’t expect that to end so quickly,” said Morrell. “I thought it would be more like a five or six round fight. However, once Cazares stepped in the ring, I noticed that he was not ready to fight on my level. He wasn’t ready for this kind of test or this level of fight.”

On the devastating knockout, Morrell said, “When I saw the opening, I took him out. When I hit him, I saw his legs wobble and I knew he was gone, completely out.”

“I’m ready for anyone at 168 pounds and now the world can see it,” continued Morrell. “I would love to fight Caleb Plant. I’m ready to fight Plant. He’s an excellent boxer, but I’m ready to go.”

Glanton Decisions Apochi in a war

In a 10-round cruiserweight war, Brandon Glanton won a 10-round split decision over Efe Apochi in a battle of undefeated fighters.

The two traded hard and thudding power shots from bell to bell. Each guy took the lead in various times of the bout. In round six, Glanton landed a hard left and right on the ropes that badly hurt Apochi for a knockdown. That proved to be the difference as Glanton took card by a 95-94 score. Apochi took a card 96-93.

Glanton was 187 of 654 punches; Apochi was 183 of 721.

Glanton is now 14-0. Apochi is 11-1.

“I knew it was a close fight because at the very end he didn’t hurt me, but I staggered,” said Glanton. “We always talk about balance in the gym, though. I got the split decision because balance is something that we constantly work on. He didn’t hurt me, that’s why I was able to keep fighting.

“Thank God the judges saw it the right way,” continued Glanton. “That knockdown is something we worked on in the gym. I hope the boxing world sees what my coach is doing. The small details, the intricate things, make the difference in a fight like this. All the little details that he schools me on is what he told me would be the difference in this fight, and I’ll be damned if it wasn’t.”

“What can I say?” asked Apochi. “I thought I won the fight. I used my jab, showed some heart, had some good movement in there, but I’m not the judges. I don’t know what they saw, but I thought that I did what I had to do. He’s a tough guy. I won’t take anything away from him. He took some tough shots and he was still there.”

On the possibility of a rematch, Glanton said, “If they want the rematch, then I’ll do it again. I think I’ve proven what I needed to prove, but it’s easier the second time.”

“Of course, I want a rematch with Glanton,” continued Apochi. “I want a rematch with him right now!”

All Rivera Decisions Juarez

All Rivera scored a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Omar Juarez in a junior welterweight bout.

It was an action packed fight that was fought at close quarters. Rivera won the fight on the strength of a 9th round knockdown as he won by scores of 95-93, 95-94 and 95-95.

Rivera, 142 1/2 lbs of Bobon, PHL is 22-5. Juarez, 142 1/2 lbs of Brownsville, TX is 11-1.

Rivera landed 123 of 428 punches; Juarez was 152 of 354.

“I was confident that I was going to get the decision,” said Rivera. “I was blocking a lot of the shots that Juárez was throwing. I was landing the more powerful punches. Juárez was doing good work in there, but we were landing the more effective shots. I feel like when I hurt him I maybe could have done a little more to get him out of there early and avoid the decision. But he’s a stronger fighter and I respect his talent.”

Juárez said, “I honestly thought that I did enough to get the win. I did get knocked down. There was one round where I stayed in there and took a couple hits, but I felt like I was the smarter fighter in there. I adjusted well and I thought I did well over all. Almost all of the greats have losses and I know I’m going to be great one day. I just have to fight through this adversity.”

On their professional experience levels, Rivera said, “I’ve been in the ring 27 times now professionally, and I think Juárez is still a kid who’s developing his skills. I’ve fought some of the best fighters around. I’ve won belts. So, I definitely think my experience played a difference tonight.”

“He was the better man today,” Juárez concluded. “I’m not going to take anything away from him. He’s a hard fighter. He’s from the Philippines, which has a lot of strong fighters. I respect him a lot, but I’ll be back.”

When asked about the knockdown, Rivera said, “We actually worked on that shot in camp. We also worked on the follow-up sequence. So, when it landed my corner wanted me to take it to the body to finish him, but he’s a tough fighter.

“I’m here for any 140-pound fighter that wants to step in there with me,” concluded Rivera.

Nathaniel Gallimore won a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Leon Lawson III in a junior middleweight bout.

Gallimore landed 78 of 356 punches; Lawson 66 of 302.

Gallimore, 153 1/4 lbs of Chicago, IL won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 22-5-1. Lawson, 153 1/4 lbs of Flint. MI is 14-1.

Atif Oberlton remained undefeated by stopping Jasper McCargo in round five of a scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round four, Oberlton, landed a two lefts that were followed by a cleanup right hook that dropped McCargo.

In round five, it was a hard left hand to the body that dropped McCargo in the corner, and the fight was stopped at 44 seconds.

Oberlton, 175 lbs of Philadelphia is 3-0 with three knockouts. McCargo, 177 lbs of Richmond, VA is 4-2-2.

Travon Marshall won an entertaining four-round unanimous decision over Ruben Torres in a super welterweight contest.

In round two, Marshall dropped Torres with a left hook.

Marshall landed 70 of 210 punches; Torres was 48 of 219.

Marshall, 153 3/4 lbs of Landover, MD won by scores of 40-35 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Torres, 151 3/4 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 4-2.