By Wray Edwards, all photos © Wray Edwards: It is my custom to keep a pack of gum to share with my fellow photogs, the judges and Oliver McCall who always accepts. The last time I was at the Hard Rock I was passing Ollie his chaw and he asked me to give one to a young man sitting behind him. Later, I found out who he was. I have been to many venues and must say that the Hard Rock Live is my hands down favorite. The room is the perfect size for five thousand or so close to the action.
Last Saturday night was a mixed bag as usual with some real surprises. Here are some pics of the under-card action:
After the fights at the Hard Rock last time, as I headed for my truck, I ran into these two guys. The younger man looked familiar and as it turned out when we spoke, he was Elija McCall, the one who got the second piece of gum..
The man with him was Ricky Fisler who, along with Oliver, was training Elija for his first pro boxing match. Having passed on a football scholarship to take up Boxing, Elija told me he would be in the ring before long and I promised ESB would be there to cover his action.
Sure enough, Mr. McCall and Mr. Fisler brought Elija to the Hard Rock for his Heavyweight premier. They really got excited as Oliver’s son began to throw the leather. Elija’s opponent Darion Moss was…
down (literally, twice) with the action as Elija whipped up on him pretty good. So at 2:24 of Round One the Ref called a TKO and McCall had stepped in it now. Little does he know….
Elija’s Papa was in the ring for the call and looked quite pleased. Perhaps some day soon they will both be on the same card…and why not? Oliver can still crack.
In other action Welterweight Cecilia Braekhus Sauerland Event (“First Lady”) from Norway confronted Georgia’s Nicole Woods in a first women’s event for the Seminole Warriors Hard Rock Live. Braekus and Woods both stepped in and went at it.
Woods provided some jarring action for Cecilia. She had a pretty good left.
So did Braekhus.
They went at it with everything they had for the full six rounds.
Braekhus scored a UD 59/55, 60/54, 60/54
How did she do it? With these.
It’s official. She is still undefeated. Those who scoff at women’s Boxing fail to recognize the same focus, courage and, yes, skill relative to each person’s abilities. We should all have such a bright hope and the guts to follow through.
Welterweight Ed Paredes (19-2, 12 KOs) was right after it in his match with Maximino Cuevas (10-8-1, 5 KOs) as he drove him to the ropes many times. Cuevas stiffed it out for two rounds but was unable to make his way to Round Three.
Paredes stepped out of his corner to cheers from the crowd.
Jr. Welterweight Galarza (6-0, 6 KOs) trounced Heraclides Barrantes (5-1-1, 2-0)…
who went down twice in Round One as his night was over at 2:59.
Kenny, from the Warriors Stable, gets a victory hoist from his corner.
This night was, however, one which removed many doubts about the potentials of King Arthur.
Junior welterweight Victor Cayo (16-0, 10 KOs) remained unbeaten as he earned a UD in six round contest with Harrison Cuello (15-7-2, 11 KOs). Victor scored 60-54 on all cards.
Here you go Tumbo.
Finally, the only place I would have been had the Hard Rock been silent last Saturday was Fedex in Memphis for the Berto-Rodriguez and Witherspoon-Arreola fights.
Here are a couple of great shots by my good friend Scott Foster of those two fights:
Berto KO 7 over Rodriguez and…
Witherspoon takes a classic left just before Chaz was DQ’d on a technicality. I still don’t understand why Showtime and HBO feel like they have to always go head-to-head on Boxing nights when there are weekends with little or no action. It’s not good for the sport to pull at the fans that way. Suits??!! See you at the fights.