Three of The Empire Sports and Entertainment’s fighters were in action Saturday night, June 19, at the Conference Center in Niagara Falls, as former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, and welterweight sensations “Sting” Bwalya and Cecil McCalla all wowed the thousands in attendance with their skills.
Fighting in the main event, comebacking two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman dropped Troy, New York’s Shannon Miller once in every round before getting the TKO stoppage at 1:37 of round four..
Rahman’s famed right hand was too much for Miller, who fought bravely but was simply outgunned by the former champion’s brutal power. After absorbing the beating, Miller retired from boxing rather than be hit the way he was by Rahman ever again.
In one of the featured undercard bouts, undefeated Zambian welterweight Hastings “Sting” Bwalya was dazzling in stopping Milwaukee’s Matt Ellis at 1:21 of the second round.
Continuing to build on his reputation as a future star, Bwalya dominated every second with his blinding hand speed and superior technique. Lefts and rights delivered with razor sharp accuracy finally took their toll, as Ellis was backed into a corner and pummelled unmercifully, prompting referee Dick Pakozdi’s stoppage.
And in a six-round showcase, Randallstown, Maryland welterweight Cecil McCalla put on a speed and timing clinic while taking a unanimous six-round decision against rugged Illinois veteran Ruben Galvan.
Often throwing punches in clusters of six and seven, McCalla beat a steady drum on the head of Galvan, who to his credit, kept coming forward through hellacious fire. In highlight reel fashion, McCalla also landed one shot from behind his own back, eliciting a delighted roar from the appreciative crowd.
The scores were 60-54 from all three judges.
“All of our guys were very impressive tonight,” said The Empire President and Founder Greg Cohen. “Hasim is obviously getting back into world-class form, while our two young kids showed why we signed them with their performances. I’m very pleased with the entire event tonight, overall.”