Powell outlasts Ter-Meliksetian; Green scores stunning KO

MIAMI, Oklahoma (Buffalo Run Casino) – Sechew Powell, 18-0 (11 KOs), Brooklyn, New York, 154, captured a ten-round unanimous decision over a tough and able Archak Ter-Meliksetian, 15-2 (12 KOs), Armenia, 153 in the main event Friday night.

The usually potent Ter-Meliksetian, a fighter who usually bursts out of the gate like a quarter horse, elected to take a measured approach. Coming into the bout, he had never been more than six rounds.

He captured the opening round by slightly outworking Powell. Using a pawing left to find his range, he scored with enough right hands to gain the edge.

The polished and experienced Powell began to land quick left counters to the pressing Armenian in round two. Powell in fact swept rounds two through six by mixing counters with lead lefts from his southpaw stance.

In round seven Powell appeared to fade and Ter-Meliksetian was able to press ahead with his higher-volume attack and outwork his opponent.

Ter-Meliksetian continued out-hustling Powell through round nine. Powell covered up while appearing to coast.

Powell let loose in the final round, outclassing the limited Ter-Meliksetian throughout and cinching the bout.

Neither fighter was hurt and there were no knockdowns.

Scoring of the bout was 97-93; 97-93; and 100-90. The Sweet Science scored the bout 96-94, Powell. Needless to say, the score of 100-90 was way off the mark.

At 26, Powell is still a work in progress. A former National Golden Gloves and U.S. National champion, his pedigree coming into the bout was unquestioned.

In his most recent fight, against the experienced Santiago Samaniego, a third round stoppage that on the surface seemed to be a solid victory. The value of the win, however, is tempered by the fact that Samaniego had lost his last three fights leading up to meeting Powell.

The closest he’s been to defeating a name fighter that could begin to give his professional career an identity, was his victory over Cornelius Bundrage, a fighter who stood at 21-0 when they met. The bout may have provided a hint at potential advancement.

However, his career to date has not been without bumps along the way. A spit decision over journeyman Grady Brewer was not exactly a picture of dominance. Not incidentally, Brewer has lost two of his last three fights since meeting Powell.

Ter-Meliksetian’s lone loss coming in was to Nurhan Suleymanoglu, a Kazakhstani now based in Houston. Suleymanoglu was 13-0 coming into their 2004 bout, but has since lost three of four fights.

Much of his record is filled with several fighters with losing records and several others who are near .500. 

                                                             ***

Allan Green, 18-0 (12 KOs), Tulsa, Okla., 167, scored a stunning knockout at 18 seconds of the first round over formerly undefeated Jaidon Codrington, 9-1 (9 KOs), Queens, New York, 167, in a scheduled eight.

It was in fact a flush hook from Green that sent Codrington reeling and from which he never recovered. Codrington fell back against the ropes with his hands held high out of trained instinct.

Green poured it on and capped his attack with a left hook as Codrington’s hands dropped.  He left Codrington hanging on the bottom strand of the ropes with his face on the ring apron and his feet still in the ring.

A melee nearly ensued, as Codrington lay unconscious on the ring floor and his entourage attempted to get to their fighter. Ring security personnel were able to get medical support to the fallen fighter quickly.

The fighter was taken to a local medical facility where, according to a Showtime announcement, it was determined that he suffered a fractured vertebrae.

In this, his first pro fight west of the Mississippi, the 21-year-old Codrington, nicknamed “The Don,” figured to have an edge due to his extensive amateur experience over the Oklahoman.

The local product Green, 26, aka “Sweetness,” a fighter who has never fought east of the Mississippi, also had numerous amateur fights but his background is not nearly as diverse as the world-traveler Codrington.

With the win, Green advances in a division with many opportunities to face top fighters including the exciting titlist Jeff Lacy.

Both fights were televised as part of the ShoBox series on Showtime.