By Mike Indri, Retired Boxers Foundation – March 10, 2007 – NEW YORK – With the 2,478 in attendance at the Madison Square Garden Theater and pneumonia stricken WBO Champion Shannon Briggs at home in Florida, Sultan Ibragimov needed only 46 seconds to blow away Brigg’s replacement, Javier Mora, and set the stage for Ibragimov’s shot at the World Boxing Organization’s version of the heavyweight championship.
The fight was on as the opening round’s bell sounded and both Ibragimov and Mora wildly fired away at each other. Ibragimov’s vicious uppercuts landed and, just like that, Mora was out on his feet, with only the ropes preventing him from collapsing out of the ring. Mora did drunkenly fall to the canvas, and amazingly got to his feet when it looked like the fight was already over. Actually, it was, but the gutsy Mora continued as referee Mike Ortega carefully watched on..
Ibragimov relentlessly bombed away and caught Mora with several headshots as Ortega did rightfully jump in to save the finished Westminster, Ca. native and stop the carnage. Mora, 21-4-2 (17 KO’s) had the heart but could not contend with the unusual and potent combination of Ibragimov’s speed and power ,which is seldom seen amongst heavyweights. Ibragimov impressively betters his unbeaten record to 20-0-1, with Mora being the talented Russian fighter’s eighteenth KO victim, and readies himself for his eventual date with Shannon Briggs.
The co-feature bout pitted undefeated heavyweight prospect Roman Greenberg taking on one-time highly regarded amateur Michael Simms.
While the aptly skilled Greenberg is more boxer than puncher, which usually makes for a less than fan friendly fight, and tonight’s display, unfortunately, was no different. Plodding through the rounds, Greenberg did control the action with his frequent jab, and much less frequent left hook.
Apparently Simms’s check for his night’s work cleared before his ring entrance, as the potentially gifted California fighter mailed in his effort until round ten, when both big guys finally exchanged power punches and woke up the disappointed crowd, who spent most of the fight showing there disapproval with the throngs of boo’s which rang throughout the arena, since round one.
Greenberg, to his credit, did what he had to do to win, easily out-pointing his reluctant opponent. Greenberg improved to 25-0 (17 KO’s) with the unanimous decision win, while Simms saw his pro record fall to 19-7-1 (13 KO’s). All three judges scored the snore fest 99-91.
Simms could be a much better fighter than his record indicates, and Greenberg MUST be better, if he wants to compete at the highest level in the big money division.
On the Seminole Warriors Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions co-promoted undercard…
The night began in thunderous fashion as Khabib Alakhuerdiev, making his pro debut, clobbered an overwhelmed Miguel Ortiz (now 0-2) who made two trips to the canvas before referee Arthur Mercante smartly waved off the scheduled four round jr. welterweight bout at the three minute mark of the first round. Alakhuerdiev, a native of Kurush, Russia now fighting out of Florida, displayed a solid attack and good power.
Local favorite Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin followed, and the increasingly popular undefeated middleweight made short work of an over-matched, yet game and willing Nathan Martin, who made the trip from Sioux City, Indiana for his two round beating. After a dominating opening round, Quillan unleashed a brutal two-handed combination and the culmination of the Brooklyn fighter’s attack, highlighted by a pulverizing left hook, dropped the hurting Martin. Realizing the end was near, Quillan pounced and delivered a blistering barrage which sent his foe spiraling back down to the deck and had referee Mike Ortega waving the mismatch off 39 seconds into round two, without a count. The likable “Kid Chocolate” (now 10-0) picked up his ninth knockout win, while Martin slips to 8-7 (4 KO’s).
New York’s own Edgar Santana prevailed with a close, hard fought eight round split decision win over gritty, veteran Dario Jose Esalas, from Brea, Florida, in a very entertaining jr. welterweight battle. Esalas came to fight, and to win, as he stood toe-to-toe with the tough Santana, who calls Spanish Harlem home. A nasty cut which Santana opened over Esalas’s left eye in round three definitely played a major part in the fight’s outcome as Esalas, 30-7 (25 KO’s), became a cautious fighter, while Santana now had an inviting target. Santana took control from this point and pressed forward with an effective jab and constant work to the damaged eye of Esalas. All three judges scored the action packed fight 77-75, with Santana getting the nod from two of the three to come away with the well earned win. Santana improved to 21-2 (13 KO’s) and the eight rounds of learning experience will only make the determined prospect that much of a better fighter.
In a four round clash of young jr. featherweights, Elion Kedem, a native of Herzelia, Israel came out on top against the feisty Manuel Angulo, from Ecuador. Kedem remains unbeaten, 2-0-3, with the razor-close split decision win, while Angulo drops to 1-2 (1 KO). Kedem, appears in good hands under the watchful eye of trainer Hector Rocha, and impressed the crowd with his aggressive style.
Highly touted welterweight Shamone Alvarez wowed the crowd with his first round demolition of an outgunned Travis Hartman. Hartman, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, was hurt with the first punch Alvarez landed and driven to the deck with a stinging left hand bomb shortly thereafter.
After pulverizing Hartman with a multitude of damaging head shots, the Atlantic City resident crushed Harman with a two-fisted body attack. In obvious pain, Hartman, now 8-5-1 (6 KO’s), dropped to his knees, writhing from the onslaught and was counted out by referee David Fields at the 2:05 mark of the scheduled eight rounder. The talented Alvarez stays perfect at 17-0, having made Hartman his eleventh knockout victim.
Overall a decent night of boxing at the mystical, magical Madison Square Garden. While the Greenberg-Simms match was not worth the price of admission, seeing the destructive ways of legitimate heavyweight title contender Sultan Ibragimov was – even if it was only 46 seconds worth!
The five other bouts featured young talent, as well as potential champions. Both promoters, Warriors Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions, are to be commended for a smoothly run and well coordinated night at the fights.