Connect with us

Articles of 2010

Franklin Lawrence KOs Lance Whitaker

Published

on

RIVERSIDE, CALIF.-Maybe some of that speedway is rubbing off as Indianapolis?s Franklin ?Yah Yah? Lawrence survived a few right hands from big Lance Whitaker (35-7-1) then mounted a counter attack in the middle rounds that resulted in a knockout over the former contender on Saturday.

?Speed kills,? shouted Lawrence (13-2-2, 9 KOs) after the win.

With only two weeks notice, both Lawrence and Whitaker signed on the dotted line as replacements for two other heavyweights that dropped out. Before a large crowd at Riverside Convention Center to see a hybrid mixed martial arts and boxing card by MEZ Sports.

Nobody left disappointed.

Former heavyweight contender had the drop on Lawrence in terms of experience, but perhaps the short preparation period wasn?t a good thing for the veteran.

In the first round Whitaker landed a one-two combination in the opening seconds that left Lawrence?s right eye swollen. But he survived the punch and by the end of the first round had Whitaker teetering with his own blows.

Lawrence began to feel comfortable with Whitaker?s size and was able to land some good punches and absorb some too. But little by little it was obvious that the bigger boxer?s stamina was going to be an issue. The shorter Lawrence seemed to be able to catch Whitaker every so often with a big right hand.

In the seventh round, Lawrence began peppering Whitaker with short left and right counters. Not big shots, but short pot shots that kept coming and forced Whitaker to take a stand. He tried to land a right that missed and Lawrence fired a counter left hook to the chin that landed with crunching impact. Down Whitaker went and he wasn?t getting up as referee Jack Reiss counted him out at 2:59 of the seventh round.

?Yah Yah is in the house,? shouted Lawrence to the crowd. ?Everybody is a champion in the first round. From then on I went all out.?

Lawrence captured a regional IBO title that places him as a contender in the heavyweight division.

James ?Lights Out? Toney was doing analysis for television.

?You could see that coming,? Toney said.

Other boxing bouts

Perris?s Anthony ?Baby Assassin? Villarreal (10-3) floored San Diego veteran Benji Garcia (14-17-3) three times before knocking him out at 2:12 of the bantamweight first round.

Idaho?s David Lopez (3-2-3) and Hawthorne?s Arron Robinson (5-2-2) fought to a six round junior middleweight draw. Both had their moments. Lopez pulled out the draw by stunning Robinson in the sixth round.

Whittier?s Alex Luna (3-0, 3 KOs) knocked down Mexico?s Ramon Flores two times in the first round. Flores was unable to continue due to a bad cut over his right eye. Luna won by technical knockout at the end of the junior lightweight first round.

Lancaster?s Helaman Olguin (1-1) won by technical knockout over Perris?s Anthony Sanchez (0-3) at 1:29 of the heavyweight first round.

MMA

Rancho Cucamonga?s Roberto Vargas landed a single left hand to knock out Temecula?s Corey Grant and win the MEZ Sports featherweight title at 4:14 of the first round. Both fighters are wrestlers so it was surprising to see the pair fight primarily on their feet. Vargas had the better chin and better power.

?I wanted to keep it up on his feet,? said Vargas. ?I loaded up on my left hand.?

Riverside?s Lorenz Larkin (7-0) used a leaping knee to the temple followed by two quick lefts and rights to knock out San Diego?s Rick Slaton (10-2-1) at 1:06 of the first round.

?I got hit, I felt it, he has heavy hands,? said Larkin a light heavyweight. ?Keep looking out for me.?

Corona?s Richard Schiller was plain too strong for Tijuana?s Yahir Reyes. A rear naked choke at 1:27 of the third round forced Reyes to tap out.

San Bernardino?s Peter Baltimore immediately took Pasadena?s Muammar Salamae to the ground and wrangled a rear naked choke at 1:20 of the first round to force a submission.

The next card at Riverside Convention Center is Nov. 19.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

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

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week 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 Articles6 days ago

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

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 day ago

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

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles7 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

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

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 hour 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 Articles1 day 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 days 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 Articles6 days ago

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

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles7 days ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

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

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

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

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

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

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending