Ringside Report: Wheeler vs Johnson
By Don Deane
26.10 - An incredible night of championship boxing at Foxwoods Resort and Casino was enjoyed by all as CES promotions brought ESPN2 Friday Night Fights to Mashantucket, Connecticut. The main event was the USBA Lightweight title bout between Julian Wheeler and Leavander Johnson. The co-main event was Gary Balletto against late sub Michael Clark. The show was supplemented by four bouts featuring local talent.
Julian Wheeler vs Leavander Johnson- 12 rounds USBA Lightweight title
The main even started off slow, as each of the two stylists would like. Wheeler was the busier fighter in the first stanza and continued to be throughout the fight. Johnson was content to sit on the jab and feel Wheeler out. The second and third rounds were filled with a lot of wasted efforts by Wheeler. Wheeler threw a lot of punches but could not penetrate Johnson's guard often enough. Wheeler was warned for low blows in the third round. In the fifth, Wheeler began to pick things up as the two wrestled along the ropes. He turned Johnson with a nice combo to the head to move from danger. The pace in the second half of the fight picked up as Johnson was cut due to an accidental head butt. Both men sensing the end being close stepped up the work rate to the applause of the crowd. Over the late rounds and into the championship rounds, Wheeler began to outwork Johnson, but thanks to sagging hands he ate just as many as he dished out. Johnson kept good distance throughout that fight, but lost out on many exchanges on the ropes. In the end, a new champion was crowned by majority decision. The scorecards read 118-110 118-110 and 114-114 in favor of new champ Leavander Johnson. For the record, EastsideBoxing had the fight 115-113 for Julian Wheeler. This scorecard was supported by many in attendance. We all want to know what the two 118-110 judges were watching. Johnson improves to 32-3-2 (25), Wheeler falls to 22-7-2(8)
Gary Balletto vs Michael Clark- 10 rounds Lightweight
In an excellent bout, Michael Clark took a late notice to step in with up and comer Gary Balletto. This fight was a matchup of a come-forward, bulldog fighter in Balletto against a slick counterpuncher Clark. Clark relied on a stiff jab and Balletto's lazy left hand defense to dictate the pace early on. Balletto spent the early rounds swinging wildly with the overhand right, connecting very seldom. Clark had superior hand speed and defensive skills that stifled Balletto on numerous occasions. Balletto appeared to be the stronger of the two and proved it as he bulled Clark around late in the third round. But as the fourth and fifth rounds passed it was evident that Balletto was going to follow Clark around and absorb blow after blow. The fight fell into a rhythm in the middle rounds which almost played into Balletto's hands. In the eighth round, Balletto caught Clark with a tough overhand right as Clark was circling. Clark was fortunate that the blow occurred late in the round and he was able to survive. Balletto charged out for the last two rounds and kicked in the second wind, but it was too little too late. Final scorecards read 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 unanimously for Michael Clark. EastsideBoxing scored it 97-93. Clark improves to 29-2 (14) and Balletto falls to 25-1-2 (22).
The undercard consisted of a women's bout featuring Canadian import Jaime Clampitt. She defeated the Livingston Bramble trained Summer DeLeon by decision over six rounds. Clampitt improved to 7-2 (2) and DeLeon is now 7-6-2 (1). Also, three local Connecticut fighters showcased their talents as Angel Torres reversed a prior defeat with a decision win over Pasqual Rouse of the Dominican Republic. The fight was close throughout and the difference came when Torres decked Rouse in the sixth and final round. Torres is now 9-2 (3) and Rouse is 11-8-2 (8). 2001 Prospect of the Year Chad Dawson of New Haven trounced showboater John Romans William by 4th round TKO after the referee stepped in due to excessive bleeding. Dawson is perfect at 9-0 (6), William falls to 9-2 (5). The final bout was a 4 round draw between Shakha Moore and Jermaine Marks. Moore is 9-6-2 (1) and Marks stays undefeated at 6-0-2 (4).
