18.02.07 – By Frank Gonzalez Jr. Friday night in Oklahoma, at the Buffalo Run Casino, highly regarded Jr. Featherweight prospect Gary Stark Jr. took his unbeaten 18-0, 8 KO record from ice covered New York to Oklahoma for his best, ‘on paper’ match-up so far against fellow unbeaten, Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (17-0-7 KO’s), who trekked it down South without incident from equally cold Hartford Connecticut.
In the first round, Oliver was very aggressive and managed to muscle Stark into the ropes and let off about eight cannon shots to the body. Stark picked up the pace after that with some decent shots but not enough to win the round. That barrage of body shots compliments of Oliver would prove to be the most defining moment of this 12 round boxing match.
In the second, Oliver was strong and landed often as he pressed Stark to the ropes. There was some talking going on between the fighters and Stark landed some good body shots. Between Oliver’s aggression and Stark’s superior boxing skills, it was a tough round to score. Oliver was a bit busier if anything.
By the third round, Stark was jabbing and scoring. Oliver continued to try and muscle Stark to the ropes but that strategy was proving less effective by the minute. Stark landed cleaner shots, mostly to the body but also landed a low blow that drew a warning from the referee.
Stark was landing more effectively for most of the rounds that followed, losing only the seventh and twelfth on my card. There was a slip from Stark, a trip of Oliver by Stark and a lot of verbal taunting, mostly by Stark. The ref even told him to stop talking and box. Oliver continued trying to muscle Stark into the ropes, where he had the best chances to score. Stark showed good defensive skills and ring generalship against his aggressive opponent.
By the time the fight was over, I was sure Stark had won the boxing match with the cleaner punching and better defense. The Judges scores all had Oliver winning 116-112 twice and 115-113. I had it 116-113 for Gary Stark.
Gary Stark Jr.’s promoter, Lou DiBella is protesting the decision and asking for a rematch. He says his fighters won’t be fighting in Oklahoma anytime soon. The gripe is valid. Why the gift decision for Oliver, who is not even from Oklahoma, is a mystery?
There is one thing that cannot be denied—Oliver was the only one who had a stellar moment in the fight. That first round barrage to the body was the most memorable snippet in this match and so; the lesson for Stark is clear, always do something memorable, something that excites the crowd against more aggressive fighters. To Mike Oliver’s credit, he gave all he had and worked hard thorough twelve rounds. A rematch is definitely in order.
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