Tua demolishes Gutierrez, Banks shocks Castillo

david tua27.07.06 – By Ryan Songalia: The Hammerstein Ballroom was buzzing as ESPN Friday Night Fights broadcast live from Downtown Manhattan. In the main event, Eliseo Castillo was upset by undefeated Jonathon Banks with a fourth round knockout. Also featured was former heavyweight title challenger challenger David “Tuaman” Tua continuing his comeback story, finishing off Edward Gutierrez in the fourth. The show was promoted by Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing.

In the main event, Jonathon Banks of Detroit, MI upset former Cuban amateur standout Eliseo Castillo by fourth round knockout. The first round seemed like it would be the last one, as Castillo dropped Banks twice and almost stopped him in what was a nightmare round for the KRONK fighter. Banks recovered well in the second, regaining his confidence and becoming more competitive. By the third round, Banks had fully recovered and was in control of the action. In the fourth round, Banks landed a vicious combination on Castillo and dropped him for the ten count.

“First I congratulated him for holding and clinching like I had told him” remarked Banks’ trainer Emmanuel Steward when asked about what his advice was to Banks after the brutal first round. “And then it was to settle down and quit throwing punches from too far back and to start working his jab”, continued the Hall of Fame trainer Steward, who was very impressed with his protege’s heart and resolve. Jonathon Banks improves his undefeated record to 12-0 (9 KO). Eliseo Castillo suffers a devastating setback, falling to 20-2-1.

In the cofeatured fight, Somoan slugger David Tua knocked out Edward Gutierrez with a sizzling left hook to the body in the fouth round. Tua was the aggressor throughout and overwhelmed the Oak Lawn, IL native with sheer physicality. After a tentative feeling out first stanza, Tua dropped Gutierrez midway through the second round. Tua elected not to pursue a knockout, which allowed Gutierrez the chance to land combinations.

However, the power disparity was immediately apparent as Tua’s blocked shots moved his opponent. Tua showed variety in his punches, initiating his offense well behind his improved jab and ran off multiple punch combinations. By the third round, his right hand and body attack opened up the opportunity for his left hook to land at will. Midway through the fourth round, Tua dropped Gutierrez for the count with a crippling liver shot. David Tua raises his record to 45-3-1 (39 KO). Edward Guttierez drops to 15-3-1 (6 KO).

After the fight, Tua related “It feels good [to win by KO]. I feel [I shook the ring rust], but I believe its going to take a couple fights to obviously get that feeling back”, stated the victorious fighter. “I believe that I’ve only got one hooray doing this, and if I’m not gonna do it right I would rather walk away right now.”

Also, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, 6-0 (5 KO) annhilated William Pietro, 2-1, by first round knockout. “Kid Chocolate” landed one crushing right hand and kept Pietro on the canvas for the count. Bryant Pappas , 4-0 (4 KO), defeated James Durham, 0-2, in the opening stanza of their bout. Lightweight prospect Jorge Teron (11-0-1, 8 KOs) decisioned the experienced Armondo Cordoba, 21-26-2 (16 KO).

Ryan Songalia is a syndicated columnist. If you have any questions or feedback, email me at mc_rson@yahoo.com . My Myspace is http://www.myspace.com/asian_sensation201 . My Friendster is http://www.friendster.com/songalia