By James Slater – Fans have probably ready all about how last night’s headline bout in the “Redemption In America” card ended up as a disappointing 3rd-round No-Decision. The Evander Holyfield show rolls on despite the cut left eye he suffered from a head-clash in the 2nd-round against Sherman Williams, and Denmark’s Brian Nielsen looms for March.
But as bad as the main event was, how did the other heavyweights get on as they fought on the under-card last night? It was unfortunately a bad night for another veteran, as Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett could only manage a majority draw with the oft-beaten Charles Davis. Barrett, coming off that impressive 12-round draw with the hard-hitting David Tua, was deemed a two point loser at 77-75 on one card, while the two remaining officials both scored the fight level at 76-76..
In light of how many times Davis, now 19-21-3(4) has been beaten, last night’s showing by the New Yorker was especially poor. Still hoping for a lucrative return with Tua, Barrett might have fought his last good fight back in July. Monte certainly didn’t look as though he had too much left last night. “Two Gunz” is now 34-9-2(20).
The sole young heavyweight on the card, Kevin “King Pin” Johnson, who took his fight on short notice, also failed to look too impressive. The 30-year-old, having his second fight back since his reluctant effort against Vitali Klitschko in Dec. 2009, at least got himself a win. Taking on the towering, 7’2” Julius Long, Johnson won a wide eight-round UD. Johnson scored two knockdowns in the 8th-round, and won by scores of 79-71 on all three cards.
But shouldn’t the vocal contender have taken the oft-stopped “Towering Inferno” out? If he’s to actually back up any of his big talk, Johnson should be stopping guys who have previously been halted five times, surely? Again, to be fair, Johnson did take the bout on short notice. “King Pin” is now 24-1-1(10). Long is now 15-15(13).
The only heavyweight who looked good last night was another veteran, in the form of 41-year-old Cedric Boswell. The once-beaten “Boz” took out Dominique Alexander in the 2nd-round. Three times Boswell sent his man down, each time with body shots. Looking powerful and aggressive, the win might have earned Boswell one more big fight before his career is over. Boswell has complained bitterly over the fact that has been unable the get the opportunities he deserves, and this anger was reflected in his performance. Boswell is now 32-1(25), the sole loss coming at the hands of the now-retired Jameel McCline, way back in 2003. Alexander is now 19-10(9).
All in all, Boswell aside, no heavyweight earned too much redemption last night. Despite this, it’s s cert veterans Holyfield and Barrett will opt not to retire. As for Johnson, hey, here’s an idea; give Cedric Boswell a shot!