Handy Wins Close Victory Over Hill!
26.05.04 – By Carlos Kalinchuk: In the main event, Carl “Kojak” Handy 18-4-2 (13 KO’s) won a split decision victory over Sebastion “The Thrill” Hill 10-6 (6 KO’s) in their eight round title fight. The final scores were 77-74 twice for Handy and 76-75 for Hill. In the end, the fight may have been determined by Hill’s mouthpiece as he continued to fight with his mouth open from the opening bell. Finally after having to stop the fight several times and handing out several warnings to Hill and his corner, referee Kenneth Gordon, deducted a point from Hill in round eight. After the fight trainer Fountain Creed said, “I always talk to him about that. He even does that shit in the gym but I thought he did enough to win and I think we got jobbed but it’s boxing and this stuff happens.” The fight was a tough fight to score and an argument could be made for a one point swing Hill’s way or a draw. I thought the three-point swing in Handy’s favor was a bit much though. As a result, Handy is now the Sabine River Middleweight Champion.
Rodriguez Wins A Over Zamarron To Win Belt!
Super Flyweight Wendy Rodriguez 12-2-3 (2 KO’s) and Anissa Zamarron 16-10-2 (5 KO’s) went at it for ten tough rounds Rodriguez won by Unanimous decision to claim the Sabine River Super Flyweight Championship belt. The final scores though were 98-92, 96-94, and 97-93. I had Rodriguez winning the fight with a score of 97-93.
What Happened?
This was a case of a younger horse in Rodriguez landing more and outworking the older and more experienced Zamarron. Zamarron appeared to win rounds 1, 4, and 7, while Rodriguez clearly took rounds 2-3, 5-6, and rounds 9-10. Rodriguez came out slow and a little confused as Zamarron’s awkward head movement and Ricardo Lopez like defense had her slow to attack. Rounds 2-3 were a totally different story though as Rodriguez landed with hard short hooks. From that point on, Rodriguez fought a near perfect fight as she moved in and out from each exchange. When she was in she threw punches in bunches and when she moved out she stayed out of the taller Zamarron’s reach. In the rounds she lost it was because Zamarron pressed Rodriguez along the ropes and caught her with hard looping shots. A good fight nonetheless.
Clifton Ruben Blasts Unwilling Participant!
There’s not a whole lot to say positively about the Heavyweight match up between Clifton Rubin 7-1 (6 KO’s) and Eric Lindsey 3-0 (2 KO’s). One should have figured as much, when a much smaller flabbier Lindsey stepped in the ring against a very ripped and behemoth of a man in Ruben.
What Happened?
In round one, the fans began to boo when Lindsey appeared to be running away from Ruben. In fact the only action was when Lindsey held onto Ruben and Ruben manhandled him and both went crashing to the canvass hard. It appeared that the fight would end as referee Kenny Saintes pulled both fighters off each other and Lindsey was complaining of a hurt shoulder. The fans began to boo louder and moments later Lindsey said he would continue. Not much else happened in this round other than Ruben trying to make it into a fight while Lindsey was trying to avoid a fight. The second couldn’t have ended any sooner as Lindsey was sent to the canvass again except this time it was from a punch to the back of his head while he was nearly laying flat on the canvass. It was obvious that Lindsey wanted to hit the casino early because he had not intention of getting up.
The Bayou Bomber Earns Tough Win Over Lacy!
Louisiana native and local fan favorite Lightweight Bobby “The Bayou Bomber” Aucoin improved his record to 11-0 (5 KO’s) after winning a Unanimous decision victory in his bout with Mario Lacy 9-5-3 (5 KO’s). The final official scores were 59-53 twice and 59-54. Even though I had Danielle winning one more round than the judges, it still does not reflect how tough a fight this was for Aucoin.
What Happened?
Aucoin looked cold and confused in rounds 1-2 as Danielle kept taking advantage of Aucoin pulling out of each exchange with his chin up. However, Aucoin showed some toughness in round two as he began to initiate and fire back with more consistency with his jab. His jabs were well timed and he seemed to get some confidence from how he finished the second round. Round 3 and 4 were all Aucoin though as he finally got off his snide and began to pump his jab and go to the body with regularity. Round 5, was Aucoins best round as he caught Lacy with a 1-2 combination that sent him down for an eight count. Lacy beat the count but he was damaged goods the rest of the way as Aucoin won round 6 by staying with his corners game plan.
McIntyre Wins By UD In Six!
In what had to be the most competitive bout of the night, Will “Kid-Fire” McIntyre 32-3-1 (13 KO’s) and Tyrone “Black Pepper” Jackson fought six tough rounds but it was McIntyre’s higher work rate that earned the Unanimous Decision victory with scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55.
What happened?
McIntyre and Jackson had a lot of give and take action in rounds one through four but it was McIntyre’s jab, better movement and body attack that got the best of Jackson as the fight wore on. In fact the last two rounds were fought in a phone booth along the ropes as Jackson allowed the taller McIntyre to press him along the ropes and attack his body and head. At one point, from what appeared to be from exhaustion and a little bravado, Jackson put his hands down ala Ricardo Mayorga and dared McIntyre to hit him. McIntyre obliged and it was the last time Jackson did that for the remainder of the fight. Rounds three and four were close to score and an argument could be made that Jackson should have been awarded those rounds but in the end it was McIntyre’s steadier work rate that determined the winner.
Tenberg Knocks Out Hooter Girl In 32 Seconds!
In the opening bout of the evening, Linda Tenberg 10-9 (5 KO’s) of Austin blew out Tiffany Ibanez 1-2-1 of Mississippi in 32 seconds of the first round.
What happened?
Ibanez came into the ring first looking ridiculously dressed in a bunch of Hooters attire. If that weren’t bad enough, she had the nerve to prance around the ring and shake her shoulders as if the only thing missing was fireman’s pole and dollar bills hanging out of her trunks. Although it was obvious Ibanez’s intention was to gratuitously advertise the Hooters name, it definitely backfired though as Tenberg came in ready to do business.
Within the opening seconds of the first round, Tenberg connected on a short 1-2 combination to Ibanez’s face that sent her down to her knees against the ropes. Even though she beat the count, she began to cry and hold her nose and when referee Kenny Saintes asked her if she wanted to continue, she shook her head. It was obviously a shameless boxing display and fight that never should have been matched but for some reason I’m suddenly in the mood for hot wings.
Carlos “Stiff-jab” Kalinchuk
Contributing Writer & Photographer