Connect with us

Articles of 2007

FNF Report: ESPN2 Vet Verno Phillips Escapes With Win

Published

on

Eddie Sanchez has a gangly physique, and looks like he should have slow hands and like he'd be easy to hit. Yes, the 31-year-old New Orleans-based junior middleweight is a certified spoiler, and he very nearly wrecked Verno Phillips' evening on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

The judges had the final say in the end, though, and all three tabulated it 97-93 for “Slightly Colder Than Sterno” Verno.

The proceedings took place in the Wynn Las Vegas facility, and the junior middle beef between the heavily favored 37-year-old Phillips (41-11-1, 21 KOs), and Sanchez (15-6-2, 9 KOs) headlined the card.

Phillips, a Colorado resident, is a three-time junior middleweight beltholder, and he looked to be the slightly higher caliber battler from the get-go.

But Sanchez, who downed the favored JC Candelo in a 2004 contest, started using his reach advantage, and kept Verno at bay as he picked away. After four, Verno's trainer Trevor Wittman told him to shorten up his punches, and minimize his movement. “I want a different Verno coming out,” he told his guy.

Phillips didn't look much different in the sixth, as he seemed to be put off with the size of his foe. It looked at this point that this style matchup didn't do Phillips, who craves another late-career title shot, any favors.

In the seventh, Verno scored with a smart left hook. He also scored with a right cross that perked up the crowd. But he didn't show the pep one might expect he'd show with a potential title shot on the table.

Teddy Atlas had the bout going in to the tenth and final round. Phillips looked like he wanted it just a tad more, and Sanchez simply didn't exhibit the pep one might've expected.

Sanchez, who handed 20-1 Jose Celaya his second loss right before he upended Candelo, last gloved up 11 months ago. In the end, conditioning may have ruled the night—Sanchez just wasn't busy enough, and he landed fewer punches than Verno: 88 to 139.

Brian Kenny was released from the Bristol campus and worked from the Wynn facility in Sin City; BK opened the broadcast with a chat with Diego Corrales, who told viewers that he'll be fighting on April 7 at welterweight. Chico said he's confident that his pop will remain at that increased poundage.

Twenty-seven-year-old Tennessean Alonzo Butler (25-0-1, 18 KOs, 257 pounds) opened the televised portion of the program against Arizona resident James Walton (21-9-2, age 35), who stepped in at 212 pounds. Butler cracked wise about Chris Byrd and John Ruiz in a pre-fight interview, saying that he knows he hits harder than either of them. Maybe so, but I'd venture to say either of those cats could teach the young buck a lesson or two if they were tossed in together.

Butler shows some building blocks that may bode well for the future—he unleashes the jab with ill intent, remembers to breathe as he goes about his business and generally remembers to protect himself with his mitts when the other guy is within striking distance. The downside—Butler tends to lunge at times, can use some tutelage in cutting off the ring and could make better use of his bulk. There's more but you get the point. Butler's no bum, but the jury is out, and they're leaning towards a thumbs down verdict, to be blunt. Butler didn't look like an imminent titlist in the division, I'll put it that way; he did, however, rack up a win, as he tossed a left uppercut in the tenth that put Walton down for a mandatory eight, and then heard the judges give him the W, UD10.

After that hors d'oeuvre, BK chatted with Chris Byrd, who said he was disappointed in his performance against Wladimir Klitschko. CB said he'd like a crack at The Giant Valuev. He'll have to get in line behind Holyfield…Byrd may, he said, also take a dip in the cruiserweight waters, especially if there's a title at stake. CB also said Sugar Shane could beat PBF. Byrd is perhaps leaning towards ODLH in the May 5 showdown because they were Olympians together.

Next week, Kelvin Davis clashes with Darnell Wilson in a cruiserweight tussle.

SPEEDBAG FYI, don't count all the eggs on the Micky and Dickie movie just yet. Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg, two Massachusetts natives, are rumored to be starring in the Micky Ward/Dickie Eklund tale. The deal is almost done, but in Hollywood, until the damn thing is in the can, you can't assume the deal is done. Wahlberg's brother Jimmy told me it looks like chances are really good, pegging it at 80-85% that the flick will get made. Paramount, the studio that is on board, wouldn't put me in touch with anyone affiliated with the film, but I did get Ward himself on the cellular. Mick thinks it'll happen, but knows full well that Hollywood is a whole different ballgame. Off the record, don't tell anyone, but Wahlberg would play Ward, and Damon would play Eklund. You heard it here first, people…

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles16 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending