By Joseph Herron: In the boxing universe, a live event is incomparable. The air is electric and the excitement is so thick you can almost cut it with a knife…especially when Heavyweights are in the Main Event.
The heavyweight division in recent years has lost a bit of its luster, but at a live card there is still nothing like the crack of a pure heavyweight hook to the jaw. You can literally feel a heavyweight body shot in the back row…it is definitely something that every fight fan must experience.
Last night, Big Lou Savarese Promotions featured a 6 bout fight card filled with super featherweight drama and heavyweight action.
In the most exciting and drama filled bout of the evening, Featherweight Miguel Flores (9-0, 6KOs) continued his unbeaten streak, but not after experiencing some very rough moments. Although being considered a very heavy underdog, San Antonio’s Rolando Campos (3-4, 2 KOs) showed up to win on Thursday night and took the fight to the undefeated prospect. For the majority of the bout, both men stood toe to toe and traded shots in close quarters hurting each other numerous times and creating various shifts of momentum throughout the fight.
The major difference in the fight was the relentless body attack of Miguel Flores. Despite being hurt in the first round, the 18 year old prospect continued to pound Campos to the body until the visiting fighter doubled over in pain, twice taking a knee in the third round.
Despite being down on all judges’ scorecards, “El Potro” Campos showed the heart of a champion and refused to raise the white flag. He fired back combinations, striking the local fighter to the head and body while trying to mount a comeback.
Although the San Antonio fighter gave a very spirited and inspired effort, Miguel Flores was not about to be denied on Thursday night. He finished the show throwing ferocious combinations to the body and to the head. Although Campos never conceded, the ref saw enough and called a halt to the bout towards the end of the fifth round.
Miguel Flores improves to 9-0 with 6 knockouts and Rolando Campos drops to 3-4.
In the main event of the evening, Big Steve “Freight Train” Collins closed the show with a brutal body assault against veteran pugilist Rubin Williams. The 27 year old Houston fighter was simply too much for the journeyman and battered Williams around the ring for two rounds. The 35 year old ring veteran refused to answer the bell beginning the third due to sustained injuries.
“The ref was telling him to throw back or he would stop the fight,” stated Collins. “He tried to throw while I was hitting him and I accidently got him on the inside of the arm and I think the doctor said that he might have torn his bicep muscle.”
“I knew something was wrong with him at the end of the round.”
Despite the early close to the evening, Collins looked impressive, mounting a well rounded attack, which included a healthy dose of jabs, body shots, straight right hands, and wicked left hooks.
So what’s next for the “Freight Train”?
“I’m just dispatching anyone who they put in front of me,” professes Steve. “I would just like to encourage everyone to come out and see for themselves what I can do.”
With the victory, Steve Collins improves to 25-1 with 18 knock outs.
In other action, Heavyweight Skip Scott looked impressive in stopping Dennis Mckinney of South Carolina at the 1:58 mark of the fourth round and improved his record to 13-1 with 8 knock-outs.
Texas-City’s Fred Allen was in a very defensive 6 round battle with Chi-town Heavyweight, Theron Johnson. The undefeated prospect had trouble getting inside on his 6’4” opponent. Despite exuding great defensive skills, Allen had some trouble winning over the judges, but eventually did pull out a split decision victory of the tall, rangy Theron Johnson.
In his professional ring debut, Bahodir Mamadijonov looked spectacular against DeShaun Williams, busting him up with speed and ferocity for four rounds. Originally from Uzbekistan, but now fighting out of Houston, TX, Bahodir roughed up Williams from pillar to post before the ref stepped in midway through the fourth round to stop the fight. Bahodir is now 1-0 with 1 knock-out.
In the opening bout of the evening, Irish Glenn Williams defeated Tyrone Jackson in a unanimous decision.
After the crowd finally stopped cheering and started filing out of the beautiful Houston Club in downtown Houston, TX, one patron was overheard stating something that seemed to sum up the evening perfectly: “Big Lou sure can throw one helluva party!!”
Indeed!!