21.05.09 – Joey Spina: “Everybody says the same thing. They call me ‘KO Kid’ because I almost always knockout my opponent. Check my resume; I’ve fought a lot of good guys. I’m going to knock him (Taylor) out. I just bite down on my mouthpiece – bite and fight. Boxing’s boxing; I’m a fighter….bite down and swing!”
Tiwon Taylor: “It’s going to be a tremendous showdown. I don’t know about this KO ******. I did not come here to be knocked out, lay-down or even be delayed. They gave me two months notice – I thank them – it’s the most time I’ve ever had and I’m in great shape. I’m 6’ 1” but got a 7-foot punch. ”
Joey McCreedy: “Lockett, you’re a great fighter and I’m looking forward to fighting you tomorrow night. It’s always exciting to see Joey Spina knockout people.”
Willis Lockett: “It’s my first time in this area. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.”
James McGirt, Jr.: “This is my first time in Rhode Island, my first fight for Jimmy (Burchfield). I’m excited and can’t wait to get in there.”
Buddy McGirt (James’ father and head trainer): “I’d like to thank Mr. Perez for accepting the fight against my son. It’s going to be a great fight.”
Patrick Perez: “I haven’t fought in years but I’ve trained hard. I’m going to give him hell – be ready!”
Weights:
Joey Spina 175 lbs.
Tiwon Taylor 173 ½ lbs.
Joe McCreedy 167 lbs.
Willis Locket 168 lbs.
James McGirt, Jr. 167 lbs.
Patrick Perez 164 ½ lbs.
Sean Eklund 137 lbs.
Jose Guzman 137 lbs.
Diego Periera 139 lbs.
Melchor Guillen, Jr. 141 lbs.
Results from Lawton, Oklahoma
A great night of boxing brought to the public by the Comanche Nation Casino, catBOX Entertainment and C3 Fights, took place last Friday night, May 15, 2009 in Lawton, Oklahoma, in the famous EvenTTent, the eighth wonder of the entertainment world. catBOX has been taking the boxing public by storm, presenting unparalleled exciting fights for fight fans since 2006. In March, 2009 at First Council Casino, and again last week at the beautiful Comanche Nation Casino, catBOX and C3 fights joined together to continue catBOX’s tradition of bringing world class boxing to fight fans nation wide.
In the Main Event, George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah, showed again why he is feared as a fighter with exceptional skills and toughness. Comanche Boy had his opponent Dan Wallace of Detroit, Michigan reeling and hurt when, by the intervention of mother nature, Wallace was saved from a certain knockout by one of Oklahoma’s notorious wind storms, forcing stoppage of Comanche Boy’s assault after the first round. A rematch is tentatively set for this September at the Comanche Nation Casino in Lawton, Oklahoma.
2006 Contender Champion Grady Brewer was in top form Friday night with an impressively quick first round knock out of Reginald Nash from Chattanooga, TN. And top ranked Marcus Oliveria (No. 4 in USA rankings) expanded his undefeated record to 18-0 with a second round TKO of rugged and true throwback to the fighters of yesteryear, Isaiah Henderson from Kansas City, MO.
A last minute bout substitution brought the flashy 294 pound Goliath John Clark (former Green Bay Packer offensive lineman) from Huntington Beach, California to Lawton, Oklahoma where he scored a fourth round TKO over Eric Crittendon, a smaller, yet tenacious heavyweight from Clinton, Missouri. John Clark was both a class act and a crowd pleaser.
In a rematch between veteran heavyweights Terrance Jones and Sam Norwood, Jones clearly dominated Norwood the first three rounds before defeating him in a fourth round TKO. Jones is back and looked the part with a grim determination as he exchanged shots with Norwood before winning the fight.
And in unrelated boxing news, popular undefeated Oklahoma Lightweight Champion Noah Zuhdi, managed by catBOX, was offered a pay-for-view fight in October, 2009 in New York, to face another undefeated fighter. Details on Zuhdi’s upcoming fight to be announced.
Heavyweight Bouts Highlight Big Battle In The Ballroom June 11
Surpassing last month’s promise to include at least one Heavyweight boxing bout on all future “Battle In The Ballroom” shows, promoter Roy Englebrecht will present three big Heavyweight bouts on the Thursday, June 11th show at the Irvine Marriott.
For this card, big is an understatement! The Heavyweight bouts will feature the pro debut of former University of Idaho power forward 6’7” Lionel Davis who will tip the scale at 255 lbs. Also making his pro debut will be 6’3” Scott Alexander, who at 235 lbs and only 20-years-old, is being called the “Next Great Heavyweight” by those who have seen him spar. Rounding out the Heavyweight portion of the June 11th show will be the return of 6’4” Joe Hanks, who impressed the Marriott crowd on April 8th, by knocking Lawson Baker from one side of the ring to the other in a lopsided win.
Returning to the Marriott and looking for his second pro win will be Oxnard’s new star, Hugo “The Boss” Centeno, who stopped John Dunham in the second round on the April 8th show. Centeno is a star in the making as demonstrated by his elaborate outfit and the mariachis who serenaded his walk in.
The pro debuts of two good female fighters will also be featured, as Finland’s top female fighter Mia Etelapelto makes her USA debut, facing Atlanta’s Mia Henderson, who had a solid amateur career. Etelapelto is training with Freddie Roach at Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, and this 160 lb battle of Mia’s will be exciting.
As an added bonus, when the doors open at 6:30pm we will offer three amateur Heavyweight bouts featuring former Division 1 collegiate athletes, including former Notre Dame power forward Dennis Latimore (6’8” 249 lbs), former Cal State Northridge power forward Chris Davis (6’7” 256 lbs), and former Northern Colorado quarterback Dominic Breazeale (6’7” 272 lbs). Fight fans are encouraged to come early to see the future of American Heavyweight boxing!
Tickets priced at $32 and $40 are on sale at www.battleintheballroom.com.