The newly formed United Boxers promotional venture headed by veteran matchmaker Chris Middendorf held its inaugural event at the Maryland Sportsplex in Millersville, MD last Friday. The card featured a host of local talent led by undefeated welterweight prospects James Stevenson and Emmanuel Taylor, as well as fan favorites Jessie Nicklow and Russ Shiflett.
It was a night for the new promoters to evaluate where the local fighters stood in their progression as pros, and as expected, there were few surprises in the results.
Stevenson, 14-0-0 (10), easily out pointed Puerto Rican Jose Angel Roman of Florida by scores of 60-54 (twice) and 59-55. While Stevenson was clearly the more talented fighter, Roman provided a good test in Stevenson’s return after a yearlong layoff. Stevenson’s speed was too much for Roman to overcome and the Baltimore native scored with more and better punches throughout the fight. Roman, 11-30-5 (5), however stayed busy and appeared to be truly enjoying himself in the ring, and gave Stevenson some good work in his return.
Stevenson is tentatively scheduled to fight again in June in Atlantic City against an opponent TBA. He possesses solid boxing skills and remains one to watch, however increasing his power is a must if he is to compete at the higher levels.
Taylor, of nearby Edgewood, Maryland needed only two rounds to dispatch 5-8-3 (1) of Guadalupe Diaz as the bout was halted after the second round citing a cut over Diaz’ right eye. Diaz, who in this reporter’s opinion has no business being in a professional boxing ring, especially against a talented prospect such as Taylor, was completely outmatched from the opening bell. After being dropped by Taylor in round one, Diaz merely survived before referee Gary Camponeschi rightfully called a halt to the action as Diaz returned to his corner following the second stanza.
Local favorite cruiserweight Russ Shiflett earned a shutout six round victory over Florida’s Willie Chisolm, 6-10-0 (3). While Chisolm occasionally touched up Shiflett, but boxing fan Mike Katac observed that, “Chisolm seemed to be fighting with a sparring partner’s mentality.” Shiflett now 11-0-1 (5), won both the inside and outside battles, while Chisolm was unable to sustain any solid offense against the stronger Baltimore fighter.
Middleweight Jesse Nicklow easily pummeled Missouri’s Steve Walker earning a first round knockout at exactly the two-minute mark. The only thing surprising about the bout is that was approved in the first place. Walker, age 34, had suffered 22 knockouts entering the ring, and seven in the past two years. Maryland Commissioner Pat Panella has a good reputation for not allowing these types of mismatches to take place, yet from the opening bell it was all Nicklow. Walker tried to fight, and was throwing punches to no avail as Nicklow easily overpowered Walker and handing him his 23rd knockout defeat.
The fight of the evening belonged to Tevin Farmer of Philadelphia and Angelo Ward of Baltimore, each in their second professional fight. Ward was returning after a two-year absence following his debut win, and Farmer was returning to the Baltimore area after suffering a debut loss there in February.
The southpaw Farmer was quicker on draw throughout the four rounds and in the third round exploited a flaw in Ward’s defense to score the fight’s only knockdown. Ward slightly dropped his right almost every time he threw his left jab; Farmer noticed this and timed a straight left just right to send Ward to the canvas. Although the rounds were all close, all three judges scored the contest 40-35 for Farmer who calls himself ‘Sugar Ray.’
This prompted the comment of the night from ring announcer Henry ‘Discombobulating’ Jones after the fight, “I’m not ready to call you Sugar Ray, but you got my attention.”
The card was rounded out with wins by cruiserweight Nick Kisner and middleweight Misha Christensen, and a draw between Jarell Mason-Jackson and Michael Rayner.
Kisner of Baltimore spent more time clowning around than really being serious as a fighter in a lopsided win over Montana’s Leo Bercier. Bercier drops to 8-15-1 (4) and has lost seven in a row. At this point he looks like a shot opponent just collecting a check, but not doing much to earn it.
Christensen from nearby Frederick, MD pounded out a shutout four-round decision over West Virginia’s woefully unprepared Stephen Franklin, 1-3-0 (1).
In the night’s opener, light-heavyweights Jackson and Rayner both tired early in the bout but gave a good show as they battled to a four round majority draw. Jackson, coming off a 2 ½ year layoff was unable to use his height advantage, as Rayner succeeded in getting inside to do damage. Jackson won the first and final round, while Rayner scored in the middle rounds.
