Diamond Boxing-  Ring Side Report www.diamondboxing.com

 
Last night at BB King Blues Club in Times Square a special “Pink Night” boxing card was held in support of breast cancer awareness month, with all of the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  All fighters who participated wore pink gloves and the ring canvas was also pink in support of the nights cause.

The action was crisp all night long in the main event former WBO Junior welterweight champion Randall Bailey faced off against another former champ DeMarcus “Chop-Chop” Corley. Bailey was looking to avenge an earlier 2003 lose to Corley. Both fighters came to win, delivering solid shots on a consistent basis throughout the eight round bout. It was Bailey who got the best of Corley in the third, Bailey connected with one of his bullets that landed Corley to the canvas. Corley was able to get back to his feet, once back on his feet Corley shook his head at Bailey to acknowledge the Bailey blow which caught him. After the third round knockdown Corley was able to hold his ground the rest of the way and often produced staggering shots of his own. The fight ended with Bailey getting the unanimous decision from the judges who scored the bout all for Bailey 78-73, 79-72 and 79-72.With the victory Bailey improves to 38-6, 34KOs while Corley drops to 31-10,17KOs.

In the other featured bout local Staten Island favorite Gary Stark Jr. (22-2, 8 KOs) took on Leivi Brea (16-8-3, 8 KOs) in a six round junior featherweight clash. It took Stark’s a few rounds to find his groove and he found it big time in the third. Stark’s with his fans cheering him on took Brea to the canvas in the third with a series of body blows. The quicker Starks was at it again in the sixth decking Brea for the second time to make matters worst for Brea the referee dedicated a point from him for holding during he round as well. At the end two of the three judges gave all the rounds to Stark with scores of 60-51 while the third judge scored the bout 59-52 for Stark. After the fight the humble Stark thought he was still not at his best feeling he was a little sluggish, especially in the first few rounds. Super Bowl Champion NY Giant Brandon Jacobs helped Stark celebrate the victory in the middle of the ring. 

Two-time NY Golden Gloves champion and 2008 National Golden Gloves champion Tor Hamer, a recent Penn State graduate, made his pro debut at heavyweight taking on Joe Rabotte (2-4, 1 KO) in a four rounder . The 225 pound Hamer who had a 34-1 record as an amateur, lived up to expectations  by taking out Rabotte in the second round to record a TKO victory. 

Brooklyn’s Philip Jackson Benson making his pro debut as a middleweight knocked out Robert Harris in the first round.

In an entertaining opening bout Hajro Sujak (3-0, 1 KO) from the Bronx, NY scored a majority decision victory over Richmond Dalphone (0-4-2).

The card was cut short when two bouts had to be cancelled, fan favorite Edgar Santana’s bout against Luis Rodriguez from Mexico was called off due to visa issues for Rodriguez and Wil Rosinsky had his bout cancelled due to a injury suffered by his opponent.

Ringside Bling – Many great local sports and boxing stars were hand to take in the action including super bowl champion NY Giant running backs Brandon Jacob, Armad Bradshaw and former NY Knick Charles Smith. Fresh off his first round knockout victory on the Hopkins – Pavlik undercard Danny Jacobs was at ringside along with his gym mate and 2008 Olympian Sadam Ali. Former champions Iran Barkley, Emile Griffin and Junior Jones were also in attendance.      
More great photos can be found at http://www.diamondboxing.com/pics.php

Andre Berto

BY: Diane Bennett

Today we caught up with Andre Berto the undefeated (22-0, 19KOs) WBC welterweight champion at BB Kings in New York City prior to Lou DiBella’s Broadway Boxing event. Berto who will begin his training camp in about a week’s time as he starts to get ready for his first title defense against Steve Forbes.

You will remember Forbes who lost his last bout to Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya. In that bout Forbes lost by unanimous decision to the bigger De La Hoya. Berto recently captured the WBC belt by way of a 7th round TKO over Miguel Rodriguez was greeting fans and signing autographs prior to taking in a evening of boxing. Berto as always looked in great shape and informed us that he has been running and soon will be sparring. At this point Berto has not selected his sparring partners but is looking at some of the same sparring partners used by De La Hoya in his preparation for Forbes.

After the victory over Judah last weekend Joshua Clottey mentioned that he would like to take on Berto in his next bout. When we asked Berto what he thought of a bout against Clotty he dismissed the thought perhaps seeking a bigger name. Berto is really not trying to think past Forbes at this point. Look for Berto with his extreme knockout power to take out Forbes unlike De La Hoya.

Broadway Boxing at BB Kings NYC In the main event today at the sold BB Kings in Manhattan former world champion Randall Bailey (37-6, 34 KOs) took out Dairo Esalas (31-14, 25 KOs) in a junior welterweight bout. Right from the opening bell Bailey took out Esalas in the first round. 

 Heavyweight Vinny Maddalone (30-4, 21 KOs) from Flushing, New York destroyed Joe Stofle (11-14-2, 9 KOs) dropping Stofle twice in round before the bout was stopped.

Local junior middleweight James Moore scored a unanimous decision victory over Christian Lloyd Joseph. All three judges scored the fight for Moore 78-74, 78-74, 79-73.

Will Rosinsky in a light heavyweight clash Knocked out Valentine Fontanelly in the first round.

Dat Nguyen (13-1, 6 KOs) recorded a six round majority decision over Juan Cruz (5-3, 1 KO). Scores were 57-57, 59-55, 60-54. Dat is viewed as an up and coming featherweight prospect.

Ryan Kielczweski known as the Polish Prince all decked out in his crown and white shades made a successful professional debut beating Raphael Luna by unanimous decision 40-36 on all of the judge’s cards.

In the opening bout Jonathan Nelson won a unanimous decision over Rondu Campbell.