Articles of 2006

Baby Joe Mesi Spars in Puerto Rico

Published

19 years ago

February 28, 2006

Boxers aren't like you and me.

To be successful, they can't be. Any fighter, if he spent much time mulling over the risks of the sport and the potential hazards to his health, wouldn't have much time to execute his trade.

Are they brave? Are they crazy?

It's a debate for another day, and another 2,500 words. Let's just leave it at this: boxers aren't like you and me.

Joe Mesi, the once – and as unlikely it may have seemed over the last two years – and future heavyweight contender from Buffalo, certainly isn't like you or me.

If we had been in a war of attrition on March 13, 2004, against a skilled veteran, and then a post-fight MRI told us that our brain showed hematomas, even if they were minute, we'd say adios.

We'd channel Roberto Duran. No mas.

We'd find another occupation.

But for Joe Mesi, 32, it isn't that simple. Boxing isn't merely an occupation.

The average US worker will hold 10 different jobs in his lifetime. Mesi isn't interested in securing No. 2 just yet.

Something that damn well would dissuade us from continuing on the pugilism path, a subdural hematoma, gave Mesi slight pause.

He and his father Jack saw specialists, took scads of pictures of his brain, had experts examine them, and listened to the physicians.

Doctors with impressive credentials – we're not talking diploma-mill ding-a-lings with

Fisher Price stethoscopes – told the Mesis that he was no more likely to suffer further trauma to his brain than any other fighter and so the duo decided to plow on.

Me, I'm out the door when I hear the words “subdural hematoma” and “Michael Woods” in the same sentence. I'm off to search for job No. 6. I'm spending time on Monster.com to figure out my next path. But that's why they fight 'em, and I write about 'em.

Different breeds.

On Feb. 16 during a card at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, I stood two feet from Joe Mesi and locked eyes with him. I'd just chewed a piece of Dentyne. I asked him point blank:

Joe, you're coming back after two years of inactivity while you fought to get a license to fight after being stripped of that right. You're aiming to fight in April. You haven't faced a live foe in more than two years. When you lace on the gloves, and step into the ring and hear the bell clang in that very first sparring session, won't you be nervous? Won't you be a little bit gun shy when that first overhand right comes your way?

Mesi answered me immediately and firmly.

“No. None. I have no worries about taking punches. I've done the research. I've talked to experts. I have no doubts.”

I searched his eyes. I believe I have a solid built-in BS detector. He didn't look down, or fumble words. Mesi didn't hem and haw.

He betrayed zero fear about stepping back into the ring and facing an oversized man intent on inflicting harm upon him.

I pressed.

Joe, you've been getting in shape in Houston for a month. Your weight is down from 270 to about 248 or so. You've done pad work, bag work. But now comes sparring. You're going to Puerto Rico, where your trainer Juan DeLeon is from, and you're going to engage in the first sparring you've done since MRIs showed brain trauma. Won't you be nervous? Just a little bit?

Mesi smiled. He didn't flinch, or get defensive. He's answered this so many times, he'd be forgiven if he was slightly curt. “Nope,” was all he said.

One week after the show at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Joe Mesi had gloves laced on. He had his head gear firmly attached. His trainer, Juan DeLeon, had addressed him the day before. “Tomorrow we spar,” he said, matter-of-factly. “OK,” Joe said, matter-of-factly.

The next day, Joe got up at 6 AM. He ran 4 1/2 miles, came back to his residence, ate, showered. He went back out and did weights at 11 AM. Back home, he showered and then rested. After doing a local appearance, it was on to the gym.

It was now 6:45 PM. Juan DeLeon, father Jack Mesi (with a video camera) and DeLeon's brother, the former cruiserweight standout Sugar DeLeon, clustered together in a Yauco gym. Hands were taped. There was some shadowboxing. A little sweat appeared. It was time.

The DeLeons and father Jack were about to see their friend, his son, face fire. Was there an extra element of interest? Sure. Were hearts pounding and were fists clenched with unchecked anxiety. Not likely. But were blood pressures up a point or two? They had to have been. But seemingly Team Mesi is all able to keep on point, and not let any shadows of doubt creep in. That's no small feat. “The opposition” had, after all, presented ample evidence in their stance to bar Baby Joe from plying his trade.

Across from Mesi stood a Puerto Rican pro, a kid nicknamed Eguin. He'd fought in international tourneys as an amateur, Juan DeLeon said. Had fought about 7, 8 pro fights.

There were no directives given to Eguin. No whispered pleas to hold back.

The bell rang. The two circled. Tentative jabs, to stretch out tight tendons, were delivered. The gym was quiet. This wasn't just any day of sparring.

Joe made him miss. Slipped. Ducked. Moved. Then Eguin connected. Joe's head tipped back a bit. And then tilted back forward.

The DeLeons and Jack watched. No ill effects.

Mesi went to his corner after three minutes.

Juan DeLeon asked him how he felt. “I feel great,” was the answer.

Round 2. Joe showed more offense. His muscle memories came to the fore. “Show me the Puerto Rican style,” Carlos DeLeon called. Fancy footwork followed. After the second round, Carlos DeLeon was impressed. “Joe is the champ without the belt,” he said aloud.

Round 3. Joe stepped it up. Caught the kid with the left hook to the body, made him wince. Action stopped, while the kid caught his breath.

Round 4. “Be like Ali,” Juan DeLeon directed. “Ali, Ali, Ali,” he chanted. Joe obeyed, as much as a beefy Caucasian from Buffalo can anyway and floated like a beefy butterfly. The bell rang. Joe walked to his corner. No ill effects. DeLeon asked him the same thig he asks any of his fighters after sparring. “Did any punch hurt you?” “Nothing,” came the reply. “I'm ready to get my belt.”

After the session, he said, it resonated that he took some shots with no ill effect. But in the moment, he didn't exhale deeply in relief, as if he'd cleared a tough hurdle. “I didn't even think like that. I was thinking, 'How's my hand speed?' But I took a few hard shots. It crossed my mind that I took shots and I took them great,” he said. “But it's not a concern to me. Not that I don't care about my safety. But I trust in my doctors and the research.”

The next morning, the trainer asked for an assessment. “I'm a little sore,” Joe said. “I'm happy.”

They all watched a tape of the sparring. Joe laughed. He marveled that the layoff had been beneficial, to a point. He saw himself doing little things that he hadn't done before. Like when a hockey player is hurt and he has to sit up in the press box, he has the opportunity to see the game from a different angle, and it opens his eyes. Same thing with Mesi. He watched other fighters, lower weight guys. So his dipped and curved his front shoulder, while protecting his chin, a la Pretty Boy Floyd.

Sunday was a day of rest. It's 83 degrees there right now and Joe lay poolside and snagged some rays and some color. There will be another sparring session on Monday, Feb. 27.

Joe Mesi's re-debut will come on April Fool's Day. It'll be an eight-rounder, fought in Puerto Rico. April 1st, against a 41-year-old heavyweight out of North Carolina, Ronald Bellamy. He's 14-9, with four draws. He's been kayoed three times in his four losses.

He's perfect fodder for Mesi's re-ascension.

And April Fool's Day, the Mesis feel, is a fitting day for Baby Joe (29-0, 25 KOs) to return to the scene, and continue his quest for a championship belt. “It'll be April Fool's Day, for them, not us,” he said.

SPEEDBAG

If you weren't placated fully by the naaaasty left hook Cal Brock unleashed to finish off Zuri Lawrence on the Mosley/Vargas undercard, then advisor Johnny Bos will explain why Brock looked a tad soft for such an important bout.

“Calvin weighed 230 3/4 for this fight and this weight is good for him because he punches harder,” Bos explained. You'll remember Brock impressing against Jameel McCline a year ago and he weighed just 218 then. “He was overtrained for that fight,” Bos said. “It was his first big PPV test and he was too light.” Bos concedes Cal could be maybe four rounds lighter in the future.

Next up for Brock (28-0, 22 KOs)?

A June 24 HBO date with Uzbeki heavy Timor Ibragimov (20-0, 12 KOs) Boxing After Dark.

Main Events current wunderkind, the Colombia welterweight who everyone's drooling over 21-year old Joel Julio (27-0, 24 KOs), will also be showcased. He'll fight Puerto Rican southpaw Carlos Quintana (22-0, 18 KOs).

Carl Moretti made the match and he and the ME crew are to be commended for putting their kids in with fellow unbeatens. I asked Moretti, on a scale of 1-10, 10 being most worried about his fighters' prospects, how sweated up he was about these fights.

“Eleven,” he answered, chuckling. “I think both fights are 50-50. Quintana is a tall southpaw boxer/puncher and he's probably fought better competition than Julio to this point. Neither side had any hesitation in taking the fight.” (Not a big surprise, because it's a WBA eliminator.)

Moretti continued the lowdown on the BAD Julio scrap. “Julio's hot right now, he's flavor of the month, but it's a difficult fight,” the matchmaker said.

As for Brock's opposition, Timor Ibragimov, Moretti is quite right to consider that the Uzbeki will come into the bout with less to lose than Brock.

I asked Moretti if he's the better or worser Ibragimov (the other one being his cousin Sultan). “I look at him as the right-handed Ibragimov,” said Moretti, again laughing. “But his cousin is more heralded.”

Moretti said that this isn't simply a 'stay busy' bout for Brock, who's rated most highly by the IBF (No. 3). “The more exposure Calvin gets the better off he is when he gets a title shot,” he said.

ME CEO Kathy Duva was ecstatic about Brock's performance against Lawrence. She emphatically denied a vicious rumor that's been floating around NY gyms for a spell –that Main Events isn't happy with Brock and wouldn't mind seeing him get beaten to get rid of him. “Whaaaat?” she said. “Whoever said that is a liar. He always does nothing but win. He's like Holyfield. People said he was too quiet. Cal does have personality. He's clever, he's sharp. And bottom line, he always steps up.”

– Showtime execs, please accept this big fat hug from me because the Jeff Lacy/Joe Calzaghe fight is on “free” TV. We always rail, as well we should, when so many mediocre fights and crappy cards are foisted upon us on a pay-per-view basis. So it's only right that I heartily applaud the decision to offer a fight that could garner acceptable PPV numbers, especially across the pond, on regular cable. You guys took the long view, instead of the short, and you deserve props. Please keep it up, and you other execs out there, please follow this lead.

– In a couple days, I'll have Part I of a Joe Calzaghe overview on thesweetscience.com, the website with the very best quality of fight writing on the Net today. Thanks for reading.

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Articles of 2006

Peter/Toney Ii: Peter Has The Brutal Punch

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

Adam Berlin

Samuel Peter claims he has dynamites in my two hands?

Heavyweight contenders Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter and James Lights Out? Toney get it on a second time this Saturday from the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. (Showtime).

The hard-slugging Peter, unlike Toney, is one of those strong, silent types notorious for letting their fists to the talking one the opening bell sounds, but the Nigeria Nightmare is as confident as ever and determined to turn Lights Out’s lights out for good.

I have got dynamites in my two hands,? said Peter, according the Lagos, Nigeria Vanguard, and I will crush James Toney once and for all. The Toney camp made the mistake of their lives by protesting and seeking a rematch. I am ready to teach him a bitter lesson.?

Sam Peter walked away with the W for Peter/Toney I at the Staples Center in LA last September, but it was by disputed split decision a verdict so disputed, there was even a dispute about the dispute which forced the WBC’s hand into mandating Saturday’s rematch.

Samuel Peter is the biggest thing to hit African boxing since Ghanaian superstar Azumah Nelson rocked the feather and junior welterweight divisions. The President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Prince Olaide Adeboye, admitted, according to allAfrica.com, We are rooting for Samuel Peter, of course. He is one boy we believe in to bring back the country’s lost glory in professional boxing. I am personally making arrangement to be at the ringside to see him fight Toney again. I was at the first fight in Los Angeles in September.

Peter has the brutal punch, and to me he was the clear winner of the first fight. But the WBC Board of Governors, of which I am a member, voted 21-10 for a rematch. There was nothing those of us Africans on the board could do in the circumstances. But I believe Peter will confirm he is better than Toney and will then go ahead to meet the champion and claim the belt for Nigeria and Africa.?

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Articles of 2006

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings for Asia

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

Scott Mallon

There are claims that boxing is dying. Hogwash. The heavyweight division isn’t the only division in boxing and 2007 promises to be a banner year in boxing; especially for boxers hailing from Asia.

While Asia isn’t Vegas or Atlantic City, it is a region packed of diamonds in the rough; undiscovered gems and potential superstars who wait for their moment in the sun.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Asia

1) Manny Pacquiao – There’s no way to dispute Pacquiao is the best fighter in Asia, if not all of boxing. He’s exciting, he wins with Je Ne Sais Quois and is definitely “the man” in boxing.

2) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam – Although his competition leaves much to be desired, his longevity and skills are undeniable. He is currently Thailand’s only world champion and is undefeated in ten years. Need I say more?

3) Chris John – A victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, however controversial, shows he belongs at the top of the heap. He easily outpointed Renan Acosta to close out 2006 and should have no trouble defending against Jose Rojas in February. A fight with Pacquiao would not be a good move on his part but a rematch with Marquez would not hurt – especially if he defeats the Mexican again.

4) Hozumi Hasegawa – Hidden away in Japan, Hasegawa is a sharp punching southpaw who put former champion Veeraphol Sahaprom to sleep. He recently bested Genaro Garcia and his herky-jerky style will give fits to any one who steps in the ring with him.

5) Masomori Tokuyama – Tokuyama has never shied away from a good fight and although he only fought once in 2006 (UD12 Jose Navarro), he ledger shows wins over Katsushige Kawashima (twice), Gerry Penalosa (twice) and In Jin Chi (twice). A fight with Hozumi Hasegawa is a distinct possibility in 2007.

6) Nobuo Nashiro – With only seven fights under his belt he took on WBA champion Martin Castillo – and defeated him. Although he’s only fought a total of nine fights, nearly all have been against quality opposition. A victory in a rematch with Castillo would cement his claim as the king of the 115-pound division.

7) Yukata Niida – This light-hitting minimumweight defended his title twice in 2006, winning a technical decision against unbeaten Eriberto Gejon (Tech Win 10) and the other on points over Ronald Barrera (W 12). Scheduled to meet Katsunari Takayama early next year – the best has yet to come for this WBA belt holder.

8) In Jin Chi – Won back the title he lost to Takashi Koshimoto in January from Rudolfo Lopez. While there’s little uncertainty to his skills, at thirty-three, 2007 may provide some insight as to just how much he has left.

9) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai –Sor Nonthachai is an exciting, top-shelf fighter with an iron chin. Has no trouble making mincemeat of mid-level opposition and deserves a title shot in 2007. Time is running out.

10) Rey Bautista – He’s young, relatively inexperienced in big-time boxing, but will continue to shine in 2007. One of the better prospects in boxing, he should snag a title in 2007.

Asian Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pound for Pound:

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #2

Jr. Lightweight

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #1
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9

Featherweight

Chris John (Indonesia) #1
In Jin Chi (Korea) #3
Takashi Koshimoto (Japan) #5
Hioyuki Enoki (Japan) #7

Jr. Featherweight

Somsak Sithchatchawal (Thailand) #4

Bantamweight

Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan) #2
Veeraphol Sahaprom (Japan) #3
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (Thailand) #6
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Thailand) #10

Jr. Bantamweight

Nobuo Nashiro (Japan) #1
Katsushige Kawashima (Japan) #7
Pramuansak Phosuwan (Thailand) #10

Flyweight

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand) #1
Takefumi Sakata (Japan) #7
Daisuke Naito (Japan) #10

Jr. Flyweight

Koki Kameda (Japan) #1

Minimumweight

Yukata Naiida (Japan) #2
Eagle Kyowa (Japan/Thai) #4
Katsunari Takayama (Japan) #5
Rodel Mayol (Philippines) #7

Boxing in Thailand

There’s no shortage of boxers in Thailand. With a huge pool of Muay Thai fighters to draw from and several talented amateur boxing prospects turning pro after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Thailand seems destined to remain a boxing powerhouse in Asia.

The country is known for having tough, determined and disciplined fighters who give their all whenever the step in to the ring. However, consistently losing while fighting abroad and padding their records with no-hopers has done nothing to enhance their reputation.

Whether because of a lack of marketability, a lack of funds or their unwillingness to travel abroad, the vast majority of boxers from Thailand remain a mystery to fans in the west. If anything though, the boxing scene involving Thai fighters will be active. In fact, it’s one of the most active in the world; since 2000, the number of fights has nearly doubled in the country.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand – August 2006

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
2) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym
3) Somsak Sithchatchawal
4) Wandee Singwancha
5) Sirimongkol Singwancha
6) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai
7) Veeraphol Sahaprom
8) Pramuansak Phosuwan
9) Terdsak Jandaeng
10) Oleydong Sithamerchai

Current Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Flyweight) – Definitely the top dog in Thailand

2) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai (Super Lightweight) – He’s a seasoned fighter who has proven himself in the big-time. He’s one Thai who can fight outside of Asia. He has an abundance of skills and one-punch power. His overall ability and ease in dispatching anyone other than championship caliber get him the runners-up spot.

3) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Super Bantamweight) – After losing to Vladimir Sidorenko he’s bounced back. He’s young, he can punch, but the former interim champion needs to prove himself against a name fighter.

4) Somsak Sithchatchawal (Super Bantamweight) – Was his win over Monshipour a fluke or was Celestino Caballero just that good? Did Sithchatchawal catch Monshipour at the right time and can he rebound from the devastating loss? The jury is still out.

5) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

5) Sirimongkol Singwancha (Super Lightweight) – Get this guy a fight. He’s better than Jose Armando Santa Cruz and would have beat up Inada had the fight taken place. He’ll fight anyone but his biggest obstacle is staying motivated fighting tomato cans in Thailand. Like many Thais, he needs a fight against a name opponent.
6) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

7) Pramuansak Phosuwan (Super Flyweight) – A genuine tough guy. Always calm and focused no matter how heated the battle. But at thirty-eight, he’ll be in trouble should he fight one of the division’s elite.
8) Veeraphol Sahaprom (Bantamweight) – Will be lucky to get another crack at the title. Although he has a puncher’s chance of winning a belt, that’s about all he has left at this point. A third shot at Hasegawa is unlikely.

9) Oleydong Sithamerchai (Minimumweight) – He’s fought better than the usual opponents faced by Thais at his level and he moves up one spot with the departure of Terdsak Jandaeng. He lacks the punch and is in the wrong division to become a superstar. He’ll need to defeat a name opponent to convince me.

10) Saenghiran Lookbanyai / Napapol Kittisakchokchai (Super Bantamweight) – These two square-off in early March, supposedly to see who deserves a shot at Israel Vasquez. Kittisakchokchai has the edge in experience but some feel Lookbanyai has the edge in heart and is the favorite.

Neither has defeated a top twenty fighter and yet are ranked number one and two respectively in the WBC’s world.

In Kittisakchokchoi’s lone shot at the big-time, he was TKO’d in 10 by Oscar Larios. His dreadful performance against Larios and lack of quality opposition leads me to believe Saenghiran might have more of a shot at beating him than some suspect. Regardless, neither of them lasts longer than six rounds with Israel Vasquez.

Honorable Mention: Wethya Sakmuangklang, Denkaosan Kaovichit, Devid Lookmahanak, Nethra Sasiprapa, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym

Thai Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam: #1 Flyweight
Pramuansak Phosuwan: #10 Jr. Bantamweight
Veeraphol Sahaprom: #3 Bantamweight
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin: #6 Bantamweight
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym: #10 Bantamweight
Somsak Sithchatchawal: #3 Jr. Featherweight
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9 Lightweight

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Articles of 2006

Iceman Stops Tito Ortiz Win Streak

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

David A. Avila

LAS VEGAS—UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “Iceman” Liddell’s fists proved too much for Huntington Beach’s Tito Ortiz who was stopped in the third round before a sold out crowd at the MGM Garden Arena on Saturday.

The punching machine Liddell (20-3, 13 KOs) repeated his victory in UFC 66 over the much-improved grappler Ortiz who has improved his punching and blocking. Ortiz was trying to avenge his loss of April 2004.

Despite all the new weapons displayed by Ortiz it wasn’t enough as Liddell pummeled the former champion and retained his title with a technical knockout at 3:59 of the third round. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout.

“This was the most satisfying victory of my career,” said Liddell, 36, of Santa Barbara. “Tito came back real tough.”

Ortiz (15-5, 8 KOs), a former wrestler, worked on his boxing technique knowing he would need it against the former boxer Liddell. But Liddell’s experience allowed him to find the right moment to pounce on Ortiz.

“I had him hurt, I just kept throwing punches,” said Liddell who also knocked down Ortiz in the first round with a left hook.

Ortiz was gracious in defeat.

“Chuck is the best fighter Pound for Pound in the (mixed martial arts) world,” said Ortiz, 31, who suffered a gash on the side of his left eye from a punch. “I’m disgusted by myself. I let my fans down.”

Other bouts

Underdog Keith Jardine (12-3-1) knocked out Forrest Griffin (13-4) at 4:41 of the first round in their light heavyweight showdown. A right uppercut followed by a left hook wobbled Griffin who was sent to the floor by a barrage of punches. On the ground Jardine landed right after right until referee John McCarthy stopped the fight for a technical knockout.

“I couldn’t believe he was hurt,” said Jardine about Griffin who is known for his resiliency. “I was so nervous coming into this fight, but now I know I belong here.”

Canada’s Jason McDonald (18-7) choked out Chris Leben (15-3) in a middleweight bout that was up for grabs. Though Leben seemed to control the fight with stunning left hands, once the fight went to the ground McDonald managed a chokehold at 4:03 of the second round. Referee Steve Mazagatti saw Leben was unconscious and stopped the fight.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (12-5) caught Brazil’s Mario Cruz (2-2) with a sneak right hand while both were tangled on the ground. Then the Belarusian pummeled Cruz until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 3:15 of the first round.

Third season winner of the Ultimate Fighter television reality season Michael Bisping (12-0) of Great Britain won by technical knockout over Eric Shafer (9-2-2) at 4:29 of the first round. A knee knocked Shafer groggy then Bisping knocked him to the ground and pounded him. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bludgeoning.

Thiago Alves (16-4) caught Peru’s Tony De Souza (15-5) with a knee as he attempted to dive for his legs in a welterweight contest. After that it was pretty much over as Alves pummeled De Souza at 1:10 of the second round forcing referee John McCarthy to halt the bout.

Gabriel Gonzago (7-1) proved too strong for Carmelo Marrero (6-1) in a heavyweight bout. At 3:22 of the first round Gonzago of Massachusetts manipulated his way into arm bar forcing Pennsylvania’s Marrero to tap out.

Japan’s Yushin Okami (19-3) pounded Georgia’s Rory Singer (11-6) into submission at 4:03 of the third round of a middleweight bout. Okami seemed the more-rounded fighter with effective kicks to the head and more accurate punching.

Christian Wellisch (8-2) jumped to a quick start with an accurate left hook that rattled Australia’s Anthony Perosh (5-3) in a heavyweight bout. During the first round it seemed the Sacramento fighter might end the fight but the Aussie hung tough. Wellisch won by unanimous decision.

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